REPORT July 2008
The organisation of E-MAC (Eastern European Advice Committee) was formed and constituted on Tuesday the 10th July 2007. At its first AGM held at the St James Centre, Malcolm Street, Derby, officers and committee were elected, including a Chair, a Secretary and a Treasurer
.
The Constitution of this newly founded organisation was presented in English and Polish and accepted by the membership in attendance.
The following aims were agreed:
To advance education and relieve financial hardship amongst Eastern European Workers, their families, and those seeking asylum and those granted refugee status for those who had refugee status in Derby and Derbyshire.
To preserve and protect the physical and mental health of Eastern European Workers and their families. Those seeking asylum and those granted refugee status, principally those residing in Derby and Derbyshire.
The further aims of E-MAC are to provide equality and diversity and a greater understanding of Migrant Right within the context of European legislation.
Also to enable all interested organisations and individuals to become actively involved in supporting and meeting the needs of Migrant peoples.
The primary aim is to give practical help and representation to those Migrant workers who have access to work and live in Europe since 2004.
WHAT HAVE WE ACHIEVED
E-MAC moved into its own office at St James Centre, Malcolm Street, Derby, in May/June 2008, and is open on a daily basis between the hours of 10am-4pm, Monday-Friday.
Further, our outreach sessions have continued at the St Chad’s Centre (Formerly No.1 Community House). These are taking place three times a week on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
We have seen in excess of 500 people during this time, giving advice and representation in a number of areas, including Welfare Rights, Housing Benefits, Employment Issues and Tax Credits. The key to our success has been our ability to provide interpreters for every client who needs one.
INTERPRETING
Our interpreters have received training and support accessing courses both in house and from the Multicultural Centre, and other agencies, such as Derby Advice.
All our services have been offered free of charge, even though we do ask for a donation, and the volunteers/interpreters have contributed to making E-MAC a successful organisation.
Our research work is identifying the key gaps in the service delivery by Local Authorities and Health Authorities, and our ultimate aim is to act as a catalyst in providing information and knowledge about how the Migrant communities are going.
The major issues identified already are the following:
Low Wages.
Breaches in the minimum wage regulations.
The failure of any organisation to deal with these issues.
Discrimination and Harassment.
Health and Safety Issues.
Housing; overcrowding, high rents and a lack of affordable and accessible.accommodation.
When E-MAC first began we were wondering weather or not there was a necessity for such an organisation, today we know that E-MAC has impacted on the lives of some Migrant Workers and has been able to support a community in need, with this in mind we intend to move to the next stage, which is to formulate a Company Ltd by guarantee which has a charity arm, which will give it legal status to trade as a not for profit organisation, and is a social enterprise. We intend to ratify this decision at a meeting on the first Saturday in September subject to the Charity Commissioners agreeing to the legal requirements necessary to establish as a Limited Company.
E-MAC has successfully negotiated finance for the St Cads Centre for the delivery of advice and is currently tendering four bids for future funding. If we are successful we will be able to provide three full time posts at the St James Centre and also support our interpreters financially.
We also intend to establish a translation and interpreting bank for Derby and make ourselves known to the Local/Health Authorities that our services are available and we would look to match and provide a quality service for Derby and Derbyshire, which is long overdue.
We intend to target our proposals and Business Plan by the 1st on September in line with the constitutional amendments for our constitution. This is a critical time for E-MAC and we ask that all those who feel that E-MAC has a future, to join with us to undertake the task to set E-MAC and provide our communities the necessary support that is required in today’s society.
Thank for your attention.
E-MAC Team
News
E-MAC Derby Limited!
Great news! On Saturday 28th February 2009 E-Mac became a Company Limited by Guarantee with Charitable Status. The Meeting took place at the St James Centre on Malcolm Street, Derby.
Our new office open and running! Now you can find us at : St James Centre, Malcolm Street, Derby, DE23 8LU.
E-MAC has now secured a new office within the St James Centre, Malcolm Street, Derby.
This will enable the organisation to work from an Inner City centre, right in the centre for the community. Its office will be operational throughout the week while keeping the Drop-In Centre available for the three sessions a week at St Chad's Centre (No 1 Community House).
This new move will enable E-MAC to provide an all week service with the facilities to offer more appointment lead sessions and the opportunity to give conferences, seminars and open days to interested parties.
Last Updated : June 22, 2009
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