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Volunteering, asylum and HEALTH seminar
The health seminar on 23 February brought together more than 60 people, from the NHS, refugee organisations, community groups, health projects and volunteering agencies. It included people from the Wales, the South West and the North of England. It was an opportunity to discuss the involvement of refugees and asylum seekers health related volunteering, in the NHS and hospitals and in the voluntary sector.

Comments from participants:
"The range of speakers in the morning plenary was fantastic, covering a range of different perspectives and issues. Just what we needed to get us thinking and inspired for the day ahead. An excellent start."

"The seminar allowed me to focus more clearly on approaching asylum seeker and refugee organisations and involving them with my scheme."

"I found it helpful discussing challenges to asylum seekers and refugees volunteering and finding solutions."

"The panel and diversity of attendees was very good. I was able to get a lot of information regarding issues for those at the front line."

Find out more about the day – download these documents:

Agenda (21 KB Word doc file)

Speakers' biographies (29 KB Word doc file)

Powerpoint presentations:

• Dave Garrett Deputy Director, Asylum Advice, Refugee Action (123 KB power point file)
• Sheila Adam Director of Public Health, North East London Strategic Health (759 KB power point file)
• Sarah Fraser Volunteer Co-ordinator, Positively Women (9541 KB power point file)
• Steven Howlett Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Volunteering (180 KB power point file)

Plus:

• Rebka Belay volunteer, Royal Free Hospital (28 KB Word doc file)
• Christine Ugborogho, Policy Adviser, Refugee Community Development Fund, Home Office (51 KB Word doc file)

Summary of workshops (85 KB Word document)

The way forward (48 KB Word doc file)

Link to key websites:

Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust
www.cardiffandvale.wales.nhs.uk

Criminal Records Bureau
www.crb.gov.uk

The Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust
www.hhnt.org

Institute for Volunteering Research
www.ivr.org.uk

North East London Strategic Health
www.nelondon.nhs.uk

Positively Women
www.positivelywomen.org.uk

Refugee Action
www.refugee-action.org.uk

Refugee Council
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk

Rose
www.rose.nhs.uk
An NHS website supporting refugees and overseas qualified health professionals find employment in health and social care.

Royal Free Hospital
www.royalfree.org.uk

Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Home Office
www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk

Volunteering England
www.volunteering.org.uk

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