South Hams CVS attended the largest multicultural event in the South West, launching a new information pack for overseas workers coming to the area.  The Plymouth Respect Festival, celebrated it's tenth year and had a wide diversity of events, music and dance, as well as a wide range of local organisations and agencies displaying their work.

The pack has been funded by Centrica and developed for workers from overseas and people moving from other parts of the country, coming to the area for the development of the Langage Energy Centre.  The project, led by South Hams District Council commissioned South Hams CVS to research and write the text for the new booklet.  The information pack was created over the summer after many months learning and researching best practice from other migrant workers initiatives which have taken place across the UK.

The new information pack, soon to be translated into 9 languages was given it's first 'road test' by a young Romanian man at the Respect Festival.  He said "The information in this book is good.  It is clear and easy to understand.  I wish I had this when I first came to live here.  It covers all the important things we need to know."

Laura Whitehead, Chief Officer of South Hams CVS remarked on the events of the day "as well as promoting the work we have done together in partnership in the South Hams Council for overseas workers, it has been a rewarding experience coming to an event at our neighbouring city of Plymouth.  As well as networking with organisations delivering similar work to what we deliver in our area, the event enabled us to connect and meet with a wide range of organisations and agencies from Plymouth that work to promote and support a wide range of cultures and faiths."

The new migrant workers information pack will be supported with a worker based at the Langage Centre from South Hams CAB to provide advice and support to the workers.  The information pack will also be available as a downloadable document on the South Hams District Council website in the near future.

Pictured above: Ann Wilkinson, Co-Director of Plymouth and District Racial Equality Council and Laura Whitehead, Chief Officer of South Hams CVS with the new information pack for overseas workers at the Respect Festival.