Useful Links

    People Seeking Sanctuary & Refugees  
    ‘10 Ways to Save Sanctuary’  
    This is an accessible resource that suggests practical ways to help citizens to do their bit to save sanctuary. Available for download from the CITIZENS for Sanctuary website www.citizensforsanctuary.org.uk    
    Refugee Awareness project  
    The Refugee Awareness Project is a former project of Refugee Action. It was set up to set the record straight about the misleading way in which refugees and asylum seekers were being spoken about in the UK. They produced a great myth busting paper ‘Mobiles, Money & Mayhem – The Facts & Fibs about Asylum’ which is available to download from their website. The website also contains great tips on what you can do.  
    http://www.refugee-action.org.uk/RAP/default.aspx  
    Amnesty International’s Prisoners of Conscience Grant Scheme  
    They provide two types of financial assistance to prisoners of conscience:
1. Relief and rehabilitation grants (which could include family reunions)
2. Bursary grants for post graduate study
The recipients of our grants are people who have been persecuted for their conscientiously-held beliefs.  These are people who have stood up for what they believe is right, usually in terrifying circumstances and often with the knowledge that their actions would bring themselves and their families into terrible danger.  We cannot help anyone who has used or condoned violence.
The SVP is now an approved referral agency and so can apply for these grants on behalf of the applicant.
For more information please see:  http://www.prisonersofconscience.org or contact Emily on emily@vmp.org.uk		  
       
    Vincentian Justice  
    Systemic Change  
    The term Systemic Change essentially means engaging with vulnerable people in ways which enable them to emerge from their poverty by tackling the root causes which result in poverty, disempowerment and extreme disadvantage.
Each of us desires to assist vulnerable people to change their lives.  A core Vincentian value is not only to provide relief, but also to befriend and to facilitate change.  Click here to find out more.		  
    Study Guides  
    The International Vincentian Family website has downloadable study guides to help us to think in a systemic change way and apply our reflections to the service we give others. For more information please click here.  
       
    General  
    Safe & Sound National Conference: Tackling Child Sexual Exploitation – the way forward.  
    The 4th Safe & Sound National Conference will take place on Tuesday 21st September 2010 in Nottingham. 
Leading speakers from Europe and the UK will talk about the key strategic issues of the day in the fight against child sexual exploitation, including:		  
   
  • The UK Government’s plans for changes to the child protection system
  • The Dutch model for protecting children against CSE
  • Tackling sexual exploitation in highly diverse communities
  • The role of television and digital media in raising public awareness of CSE
  
    Explore current developments in a range of interactive workshops, including:  
   
  • Social Return on Investment: a tool for justifying investments in CSE prevention?
  • Boys and young men: how does CSE impact on them?
  • A new approach to monitoring the safety of young people that go missing
  • New ways to raise awareness of CSE and trafficking
    For further details and the booking form go to: http://www.justwhistle.org.uk/
  
    Home Access Scheme  
    Free laptops and internet access for a year for low income families. To find out if you or someone you know is eligible please go to www.homeaccess.org.uk  
     Parliamentary Outreach  
    Parliamentary Outreach spreads awareness of the work, processes and relevance of the institution of Parliament, encouraging greater engagement between the public and the House of Commons and House of Lords.  The Parliamentary Outreach Team are a great resource so please use them! For details of their latest events and how they can deliver free training to your organisation please go to:  
    http://www.parliament.uk/getinvolved/outreach.cfm  
       
     If you would like a link added to this page please email it to emily@vmp.org.uk