Lewisham Refugee Forum

LRN facilitates the development of Lewisham Refugee Forum (LRF). LRF is a forum of refugee community organisations which aim to work together to represent the interest of refugees and asylum seekers, advance their issues, campaign on their behalf, promote their positive image, highlight their contribution and liaise with other similar organisations in Lewisham and the neighbouring boroughs. LRN’s roles include:

• Facilitate regular meeting of the Forum

• Chair the meetings and ensure agenda and minutes are circulated

• Draft the agenda for the meeting, look for resource speakers and invite local and national organisations that can provide various supports to member organisations

• Ensure that the sub-committees are running and plans are made and implemented.

Aims:

To develop a strong forum of refugee community organisations in Lewisham working together to represent the interest of refugees and asylum seekers, advance their issues, campaign on their behalf, promote their positive image, highlight their contribution, and liaise with other similar organisations in Lewisham and the neighbouring boroughs.

Objectives:

• To be aware of national, regional and local policies, legislations or practices that impact on the rights and entitlements of refugees and asylum seekers.

• To respond to policies affecting refugees and asylum seekers.

• To enable refugee community organisations get involved in local decision making.

• Share good organisational practice, information on funding and training and development programmes to help build capacity of refugee organisations.

• Ensure quality services are being provided to refugees and asylum seekers.

• Complement each other’s and avoid duplication of services.

• Facilitate collaborative work between and amongst refugee organisations and organisations supporting refugees and asylum seekers.

• Support each other and identify barriers to organisational growth.

• Foster understanding amongst different cultures and ethnicities, promote social interaction and integration

• Undertake activities that will advance the aims and objectives of the Forum.

• Create sub-committee as necessary.

Membership:

• Organisations providing services to refugees and asylum seekers in Lewisham and neighbouring boroughs.

• Organisations and individuals upholding the aims and objectives of the Forum.

Meetings:

• The Forum will meet every 8 weeks.

Lewisham Refugee Network’s (LRN) Role:

• LRN will facilitate the regular meeting of the Forum.

• LRN will chair the meetings and ensure agenda and minutes are circulated.

• LRN will draft the agenda for the meeting, look for resource speakers and invite local and national organisations that can provide various supports to member organisations.

• LRN will ensure that the sub-committees are running and plans are made and implemented.

Agendas	Minutes