Welcome

Welcome to Doncaster Focus Group.

Doncaster Focus Group was established in November 2006 and is a combined network of community groups, organisations and individuals working in partnership to provide united platform for One Voice for new arrivals and Refugee Community Organisations in Doncaster. The group is represented by refugees, asylum seekers and new migrants, as well as, more established BME communities. The strength of the group hinges of the fact of the vast experience present in the Focus Group. The group does not pretend to be representative but does constitute the voice of committed individuals and organisations that involve 17 different African nationalities, the African-Caribbean community and Doncaster residents originally from Asian sub-continent, Iran, Iraq, Kurdistan,more established Black and Asian populations.Our membership is made from representatives from different BME groups and individuals, including Sigopanda Arts, Solo Entertainment, African Union, Pan Afrique, South Yorkshire Polish Community, Kurdish Community, Ujima Collective, Asian Women's group, Chinese Women's Group, Movement for Democratic Change (Zimbabwe), Ma'di Heritage Association and Gypsy and Traveller community contribute to this group, but do so as a united voice, bringing the experiences of their respective organisations. They are committed to working with any and all groups that seek equality and social justice. The platform seeks to advance the interests, service provisions and policy change for new arrivals. We have proven record at organizing cultural events and have been involved in strategic consultations; we also have support of Doncaster Council for promoting community cohesion and maintain good position within BME sector.

We facilitate community events and consultations with statutory sector, such as Refugee Week and United Nations and Black History Month Celebrations, Equality and Diversity Impact assessment and improving health and housing needs of BME communities. We are based at Doncaster Central Learning Centre (DCLC) where members of public can access free internet services, training courses and free immigration advice for asylum seekers and EU migrants and the RIES services (Refugee Integration and Employment Service).

During 2007 consultations with BME communities, previous Doncaster Mayor, Martin Winter has acknowledged the need to take account of the rapidly
changing demographics of Doncaster population and there is a clear need for the voice of new arrivals and growing minority ethnic communities to be heard. This is also reflected in the 'One Strategic Voice' document by the previous Mayor Winter (March, 2008) and in Gus John's 2006 report. Doncaster Focus Group has jointly contributed to these findings outlining the key concerns shared by many new arrivals. Presently, we are engaged in discussions with the new Mayor Peter Davis and the Cabinet and senior officers from DMBC to establish working relationship and strategic view in engaging with the BME communities.

We are also working in partnership with Northern Refugee Centre (NRC) and South Yorkshire Refugee Community Organisations Forum (SYRCOF). NRC is a registered charity organisation, which seeks to ensure that refugees and asylum seekers lead their lives with dignity and respect. NRC's mission is to
promote the welfare of all refugees and asylum seekers and strive towards improving services and opportunities for them to facilitate their integration into the wider community. NRC provides a range of services to improve the conditions and opportunities of new arrivals across Yorkshire and Humberside.

South Yorkshire Refugee Community Organisations Forum (SYRCOF) provides an opportunity for representatives from refugee communities across South
Yorkshire to meet together and discuss issues of common concern and hopefully can give refugees a strong, combined voice on issues that are affecting them as well as providing opportunities for groups to learn from each other or organise joint projects. The SYRCO Forum was established in mid-2002, to act as the refugee voice in influencing decision making on all local and regional issues that impact on refuges and asylum seekers.