Weekly information sessions for migrant workers are starting
across Suffolk this week.
These sessions are aimed at helping migrant workers to resolve
issues and settle into life in Suffolk as smoothly as possible.
They start from Wednesday 1 October 2008 and will be running in
Leiston, Eye, Sudbury, Ipswich and Newmarket. The staff at
the information sessions will be able to talk to workers in their
home languages and either help people to sort out their problem or
signpost them to the help they need. Issues could be anything
from sorting out a utility bill to how to register with a GP.
The Keystone Development Trust will run the sessions based on
the principles of the service already running in Thetford called
META: Mobile Europeans Taking Action. This initial 6 month
pilot project is being supported by the Forum for Refugees, Asylum
Seekers and New and Emerging Communities. This multi-agency
group includes representatives from the district, borough and
county councils, the police, Suffolk PCT and voluntary and
community sector agencies. The project is funded by the
borough/district councils and the county council. The Forum
recognises that it is important to help new arrivals to the county
to be able to settle into their new life here.
The days and times that the surgeries will be running between 1
October 2008 and 30 April 2009 are:
Wednesdays:
- Leiston, Citizens Advice Bureau: 10 – 11.30am
- Stowmarket, Customer Service Centre: 2 – 3.30pm
- Newmarket, Citizens Advice Bureau: 3.30 – 5pm
Fridays:
- Ipswich, One Ipswich Customer Service Centre: 10 – 11.30am
- Sudbury, Town Hall: 2 – 3.30pm
Further information can be obtained about the surgeries from the
Keystone Development Trust on 01842 754639.
-ENDS-
Media contact:
Anneka Hardy, press officer at Suffolk County Council,
telephone: 01473 264392, email:
anneka.hardy@comms.suffolkcc.gov.uk