The Arbour has won the 2014 Tower Hamlets Third Sector Award in recognition of supporting vulnerable people in the community

We are delighted to announce that on Tuesday 18th of February 204 the Arbour has been awarded the 2014 Tower Hamlets Third Sector Award in recognition of supporting vulnerable people in the community. The awards honour those organisations in Tower Hamlets which have demonstrated significant achievements and impacts on the community and are designed to recognise contributions in areas such as housing, arts, social care, health, community cohesion and many more. The event was an opportunity for many of us to celebrate the collective contribution organisations make across the borough to providing essential services and support to those in the community.

Vix Garner, Head of Women’s Services said “It’s great to be recognised for all the hard work the staff and volunteers at the Arbour contribute to the local community”.  “What the Arbour does, it doesn’t give you the answers but it gives you the skills to find the answers yourself” – participant

Thanks to the Tower Hamlets Council and event organisers for a great night. See LBTH website for more information and other winners http://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/news__events/news/february_2014/third_sector_awards.aspx

 ’Youth Perspective Uncovered’

“They always tell us ‘don’t act like the boys’” this was this inspiration for one of the performances by school groups taking part in The Arbour’s ACT Change! project this term – a group of girls talking about the differences in the way they are treated in school compared to the boys.  This is just one of the many issues affecting young people in Tower Hamlets which were explored onstage on Monday 24th March as part of the final performance of ACT Change!

 The day was a great success, each of the groups gave an amazing performance and audiences were engaged in lively debate that got to the heart of the complex issues.  Fellow students and even teachers were getting onstage to try out solutions for the characters.  One audience member said ‘I thought the performances were excellent, the range of issues raised were well thought out and well put together…the project helped young people discuss and understand everyday school situations; they are then able to react differently to these situations in the future’.  We were really happy to see so many parents and teachers come and support the young people who really enjoyed the day.  Well done to everyone!

‘Mine. Yours. Others: Migrant Women Taking Their Place in the Community’

This event is a celebration and culmination of The Arbour’s Lead to Inspire project, a community leadership programme that supports newly-arrived migrant women to become leaders and trailblazers for local and national integration. Our intention is to start a wider conversation on what migrant women’s leadership is in a community context; by showcasing a number of user-led and community outreach projects designed and run by migrant women who took part in this program.

There will also be the launch of a research paper exploring the challenges of migration and female leadership, outlining several recommendations based on research carried out in collaboration with Lead to Inspire participants.

Date: Wednesday 12th March

Time: 4.30 – 6.30pm (drinks reception starting at 4.30).

Venue: 25 Hanbury Street, London E1 6QR (off Brick Lane).

If you are able to attend, we would appreciate it if you could RSVP to Jessica@thearbour.org.uk by 21st February.

‘Working with Migrants: A tool for supporting non-EU migrants’

We would like to invite you to the event:  ‘Working with Migrants: A tool for supporting non-EU migrants’ where we will be launching several new resources for community support workers, migration advisors, women’s advocacy staff; and migrant communities themselves:

  • ‘The Rights of Spouse Visa Holders’ – a       booklet , developed by participants on our Lead to Inspire      project, in response to their own experiences  and lack of      comprehensive information on rights  of spouse visa holders and their      access to services in the UK.
  • A new website created by migrant women living in Tower Hamlets  as a single      access point for information on local services and rights and      responsibilities of migrants.

Date: Wednesday 12th March

Time: 4.30 – 6.30pm (drinks reception starting at 4.30).

Venue: 25 Hanbury Street, London E1 6QR (off Brick Lane).

If you are able to attend, we would appreciate it if you could RSVP to Jessica@thearbour.org.uk by 21st February.

‘Act Change Showcase @ Richmix’

ACT Change! is half way through the final term of the project.  During the course of the first half of term we have looked at some serious issues which are affecting the daily lives of young people in Tower Hamlets.  The Final Showcase will be held on the 24th March at Richmix in Bethnal Green – it is a full day event which gives all the participants the opportunity to come together, share their work and perform for family and friends.  Our partners, Cardboard Citizens are on board to deliver workshops to the young people and increase their knowledge of Forum Theatre throughout the day.

All are welcome to the event, so if you are local to the area, interested in what young people have to say, pop along between 1 – 2.30pm and join in!

Venue: Richmix Map: http://www.richmix.org.uk/visit/how-to-get-here/

Time: 1-2.30pm