DP recently received generous funding support from the Charles Plater Trust (CPT) in the sum of £48,327 which will help pay for our Senior Caseworker, for additional casework assistance and also cover translation and interpretation costs so we can better respond to support asylum seekers and refugees living in Bolton.
Two members of our team, Trustee Sarah George and Volunteer Narjess, travelled to London on 25th May to accept the funding award at a ceremony held as part of the CPT's centenary mass, awards ceremony and reception at Allen Hall.
Narjess, DP Volunteer and lead of reception said about the day down to London to accept the funding award:
"It wasn’t my first time to London, but I was still excited, and with Sarah's company the trip was fun, as soon as we reached there, we went straight to Regents Park, walked all around it and enjoyed the view and took some pictures, the weather helped a little. Had lunch and went to the Charles Plater Trust event venue and arrived just before it was about to start. I was surprised that there were many charities there as I thought it is going to be only for the Destitution Project and I was amazed by the number of projects that they are helping and funding. I met many people from different charities and projects and had an idea of what they do and how they help those who are in need of help. I want to thank the Destitution Project for inviting me, it was a great experience, and I will be more than happy to go again." - Narjess
Plater Trust Awards
The brief remarks Sarah delivered are below:
How will the CPT funding benefit DP?
In a word it’s all about: UNDERSTANDING.
Firstly, in a literal sense - Helping DP make sure that our service user's words are understood, and that our decisions and responses reflect what they share with us. Inaccurate communication can quickly compromise trust and respect. It can also result in wrong actions being taken, with a difficult journey back to rectify this.
Secondly, in a general sense - Understanding in terms of DP being able to offer: equity, compassionate pragmatism, and a sense of standing-together and standing-up for those who have come to this country seeking safety, restoration, peace of mind and a sense of optimism that belonging to a community can bring.
Neither of these noble aims are easy to achieve, particularly in current times when the world is reeling from the effects of a pandemic, conflict and a cost of living crisis which, whilst affecting everyone, are disproportionately felt by asylum seekers and refugees.
What specific impacts will the CPT grant have?
ONE: It will help pay for interpretation and translation services. In the past we've relied on the generosity of some of our service- users, but this has been limited to a few languages and has not been very reliable. The funding means that we can now pay for professional translation and interpretation services when needed.
TWO: It will help keep our wonderfully skilled and determined caseworker with us for another 2 years (well we are not letting go of them even after that.... but CPT funding gives us 2 years to figure out how to sustain their work in the longer term).
THREE: It will allow us to appoint a second caseworker to help carry the ever-increasing load of new clients asking for help in our little corner of the world.
The CPT funding validates everything we do. It will keep DP and its efforts alive. It will give a huge boost to our dedicated team of staff and volunteers. But most of all it will help to restore the lives and dignity of the many asylum seekers who have made it to the UK via a long and difficult journey from far, far away.
