Recent publications from the Citizens Advice Bureaux

On the look out for recent publications from the Citizens Advice Bureaux on migrant workers. We are updating our Education Pack for schools. Gerard Crofton-Martin, who helped a few years ago in the very early days of I Packed This Myself, provides a list ....
Justice denied, The deliberate non-payment of Employment Tribunal awards by rogue employers.
Citizens Advice 2008
Click here.  This has been an important piece of work.

"Following this campaign, the government undertook its own research into non payments and in May 2009 the MoJ announced that it will introduce tough new measures to improve the payment of Employment Tribunal awards. In particular, the Ministry will contract a commercial firm of High Court Enforcement Officers to conduct pro-active enforcement on behalf of individual claimants. This measure was a key recommendation of Justice denied."

Otherwise click here for
Supporting migrant workers in the South West
A report by the SW Citizens Advice Bureaux Migrant Workers Advisory .
October 2008. Citizens Advice

And Home from home? Experiences of migrant workers in rural parts of the UK,
and the impact on local service providers
(Citizens Advice, December 2005) is here.

Migrant Voice - an election special

Receive - in the post - the 2010 Migrant Voice Election Special. "Migrant Voice is a migrant-led organisation that brings together migrants to develop strategies to strengthen their voice, participation and representation in the media and at the policy making level in order for them to meet their needs and participate fully in society."

A silver cabbage in Mayfair

 Back in London. Spot a silver cabbage in a jewellery shop window in Mayfair.

Last assembly and another departure from Camborne Station

Our final assembly this week at Richard Lander School, Truro. Very keen and energetic staff. And what a building.

Later my father (far off in the distance down the platform) drops me off at Camborne Station, for the 423pm train back up to Paddington. Sometimes feel I have said too many goodbyes at Camborne Station.

Famous arrivals and departures in Camborne ...
A.K. Hamilton Jenkin in The Cornish Miner (another book for the reading list?) talks about the platforms of Camborne and Redruth stations being packed with miners leaving for overseas after the industry collapsed in Cornwall in the 19th century.
And my father remembers a train arriving in Camborne Station from London in the war years, packed with evacuees from London who were 'chosen' by waiting families.

Meeting at Pool School, assembly at Richard Lander, then back to Camborne

An early morning meeting at Pool School with Ola Paluch (just arrived back in Cornwall after Easter in Krakow. A 33-hour trip by bus and train. She was due to fly on Saturday but her flight was cancelled because of the ash cloud). A cold morning but the palm trees look tropical. We plan a day-long workshop in May for migrant worker children in the school

Then a lunchtime assembly at Richard Lander School, Truro. Our third this week.

Ewa preparing...

And then back to Camborne to meet Andrew Yates, Social Responsibility Officer for the Diocese of Truro. He borrowed the suitcases for a workshop yesterday in Falmouth with industrial chaplains. A quick handover in the car park of the Elim Centre.

Assembly at Richard Lander and an old friend

The scene set for an assembly at Richard Lander School, Truro, our second of four there this week. Ewa did one on her own yesterday: this time I am here to help. Good to be back after the very successful workshops we did there a couple of months ago with Vicky Downing.
Just before we start an old friend from Helston, Russell Pascoe, appears - a highlight of the afternoon. Russell has taught music at the school for many years. He is a pillar of musical endeavour in Cornwall in fact. He points out that we are very old friends as we have known each other for most of our lives.
Another highlight of the afternoon, later on, is icecream at McDonalds where Ewa and I repair for our usual review meeting. It is hot and we can sit outside.

To add to the reading list

The Runnymede Trust's What works with integrating new migrants?
by Zubaida Haque.
A new Open Democracy online forum on migration - People on the Move. It's ended to be a year-long dialogue, to generate debate.
And an interesting Panorama on migration. Is Britain Full?

Summer term and back in Cornwall

Back in Cornwall as we have assemblies to deliver at Richard Lander School, Truro this week. Plus a meeting at Pool to discuss plans to work with migrant worker children there.

I cannot go to the assembly at Richard Lander as it coincides with the funeral of a dear Aunt (not far off - at the Crematorium in Truro.) It is a beautiful spring day.
Ewa holds the fort and does the assembly on her own. Will join her tomorrow afternoon for the next one.
Call in at Diocesan House to drop off three suitcases for Social Responsibility Officer Andrew Yates, who is doing a workshop with chaplains in Falmouth tomorrow.
And later drop in at SEF Leedstown to say hello to the English class which contributed so much to the exhibition and work at Penair School, Truro.
Try to call in at Reawla to buy milk on the way home but the shop is now closed in the evenings. This is a bitter blow. No option but to go to Lidl, Hayle.