NACCOM conference coming up

NACCOM is a national network of 27+ organisations working with destitute people groups across the UK. The annual conference is coming up on February 4th and if you’re already a member of NACCOM or you’d like to become one, please follow these instructions to sign up!

1. Download and fill out registration form. Click to download registration form —> Sheffield_2012_Registration_form.

2. Return with cheque made payable to Boaz Trust: The Boaz Trust, First Floor, 110 Oldham Road, Manchester M4 6AG.

3. Registrations close Friday January 27th

Programme for the day…

10.15          Registration & Refreshments
10.45          Welcome                                Robert Spooner, ASSIST Sheffield
10.55          NACCOM progress report   Dave Smith , Boaz Trust Manchester
11.05          National Policy Review           Mike Kaye, Still Human Still Here 
11.35          Comfort Break
11.45          Workshop 1

12.45          Lunch, Stalls, Networking – Regional marketplace

1.45            Working with Green Pastures tbc
2.00            NACCOM Website overview
2.10            Workshop 2
3.10            Refreshment Break (and Feedback Forms!)
3.30            Q & A Panel Session
4.00            Close

Workshops:

Workshops will be run simultaneously – you can choose which is most relevant for your project…

1. IN-DEPTH HOUSING Workshop    John Hebden, Abigail Housing Leeds / Paul CatterallOpen Door North East
How can you make housing pay? Housing policy, practice and pitfalls: running Refugee Housing projects

2. PREVENTING BLOCKAGES IN ACCOMMODATION SCHEMES    Will Sutcliffe, BEACON Hosting, Bradford   

Who should you choose to accommodate, when and how? How do you move people on?
A facilitated interactive knowledge and expertise sharing session

3. GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT  Lucy Smith, Communications and Fundraising Officer, Boaz Trust, Manchester           
How can you raise awareness of destitution and generate support and sustainability for your project?

4. ADVOCATING WITHIN THE ASYLUM PROCESS  Judy MidgeleyMc.Kenzie’s Friends, Bradford 
How can we get alongside our clients to make a difference? Being a friend at court and interceding with UKBA

It looks set to be a great event so please do sign up if you’re already working with destitute asylum seekers or you’re planning to start a project in the near future! Huge thanks to our partners Assist in Sheffield for organising the day itself.

If you’ve got any questions please contact Dave, or phone 0161 2021056.

Spare rooms needed!

Since we began back in 2004, hosting destitute asylum seekers has been a major part of our provision. It is particularly significant in emergency cases or for more vulnerable clients.

Boaz hosts generously offer their spare rooms as a safe place for an asylum seeker to stay for days, weeks or even months. It is a truly remarkable and life-saving service and we’re very grateful to each and every one!

Our network is currently operating at capacity, with 10 clients being accommodated in this way. As a result, we’re looking to expand our hosting network to enable us to help a greater number of vulnerable people.

If you would like to find out more about hosting with Boaz please join us for a Hosting Information Evening on Monday 17th October at 7.30 p.m. at 110 Oldham Road, Ancoats M4 6AG.

For further details or to let us know that you are planning to come, please contact Cat Arundale on 0161 202 1056, or email her by clicking here.

Finally, please feel free to download one of our info posters to display in your church or community centre! Just click on this link for the PDF copy (or contact Cat to get one sent out):

Hosting evening poster

Help! There’s an asylum seeker in my church.

”Help! There’s an asylum seeker in my church”

A day conference exploring how you and your church can support asylum seekers and refugees in your community.

Saturday 26th June, 10am-4pm, Brunswick Parish Church, Manchester

This  day conference will draw upon a range of experience to explore different ways of engaging with and supporting refugees and asylum seekers across the North West.  Organised in conjunction with  refugee  communities the event  will increase  your understanding of  the experiences  faced  by  asylum  seekers in  your  area  and  help inform,  equip and inspire you with  practical  ways to  get  involved.  This conference is organised by the Boaz Trust, EQUIP, CAP and SPEAK.  The flyer and booking form are available to download here:

Help! Conference Flyer

Help! Conference Booking Form