1

Annual Report 2007/08

2

FIS Vision

FIS Mission Statement

FIS Strategic Aims

To achieve a confident, healthy and empowered Irish community participating fully in a multicultural Britain.

To be a strong committed representative voice for the Irish voluntary sector and to provide a comprehensive range of quality support services to member organisations.

1. To support, represent and develop the Irish voluntary and community sector in Britain.

2. To ensure equality of opportunity and social inclusion for the Irish voluntary sector.

3. To work closely with other minority ethnic groups in identifying and addressing community health issues.

4. To promote and increase access to diversity in Arts and Cultural experiences.

5. To ensure FIS maximises opportunities to ensure financial viability and appropriate resources to successfully manage the activities of the organisation including governance, management and administration.

FIS is a national umbrella body with affiliates from the Irish community and voluntary sector in Britain. FIS was established in 1973 by Irish organisations who recognised the need for a forum for Irish groups where they could get together and support each other.

FIS members now cover a range of activities and types of group and they provide a wide selection of services for the Irish community.

FIS provides development support to enable our members to continue to provide high quality services and to grow to meet the needs of the community.

FIS represents the views of our members and of the Irish community in Britain and seeks to ensure that the community can play a full and respected role in the life of this country.

About FIS

President McAleese speaking at the FIS Community Reception, Milton Keynes,

June 2007: “To the army of volunteers, professionals, public representatives and all others represented here today who work so passionately on behalf of the Irish community on this our neighbouring island, I say a warm and heartfelt thank you.”

3

TrusteesDr Mary Tilki Chair Paul O’Donovan Trustee

Maire Gaffney Vice Chair Declan Carroll TrusteeDr Phil McCarvill Secretary John Twomey TrusteeAnthony Hanlon Treasurer Pauline Roche TrusteeChris Clegg Trustee (to September 07) Des Hurley TrusteeKaren Scanlon Trustee Tish Collins Trustee

Staff TeamEithne Rynne Chief Executive Officer

Ann Gould Executive Assistant

Seán Hutton Policy OfficerJohn McDonagh Operations ManagerFrances McAuley Capacity Building Co-ordinatorPatrick Marmion Senior Clubs & Community Centres Development OfficerConor McGinn Health Development OfficerRita Corrigan Senior Community Development OfficerJohn Gradwell Clubs & Community Centres Development OfficerJohn Johnson Community Development Worker (Midlands)Ged Kelly Cultural OfficerFiona Gowen Community Development Worker (London)Nia Panayiotopoulos Community Development Worker (London)Keith Fox Clubs & Community Centres Development OfficerMarion McCracken Finance & Communications OfficerKelly Fahy Reception/Administration (London)Leigh Monaghan Reception/Administration (North West)Lois Russell Reception/Administration (Midlands)

Sponsors FundersAer Arran Express Irish Post Díon Committee, Irish GovernmentBank of Ireland CTA Holidays Department of Education, Irish GovernmentEnterprise Ireland Jenni Murphy Governance Hub, British GovernmentNorth Cyprus Tourism Tourism IrelandRose of Tralee Triskellion Theatre Company Number: 04013148

Registered Charity Number: 1092268

FIS Team

4

This has been a busy and challenging year for the Federation. In contrast to the growth and expansion of previous years it has been one more focussed on consolidation, but as the report will show we have had significant success. In particular we have seen a declining need for crisis intervention among our affiliate organisations. This is down to the hard work and commitment of our staff as well as the willingness of affiliates to consider different ways of working. Ensuing stability has allowed the team to invest more in developing proactive, progressive and sustainable organisations. A major focus of our work has been encouraging collaborative working between Irish organisations, expanding the reach of affiliate services and engaging in partnerships with bodies who have statutory responsibility for the Irish community in Britain.

The economic climate and shifting policy environment has led us to think critically about our strategic direction, and to examine fitness for purpose in the light of rapid growth over recent years. The Board of Trustees has worked closely with the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Management Team to draw up business and strategic plans. We have identified clear targets and established enhanced structures to monitor progress towards goals; and developed strategies to evaluate performance, measure effectiveness and demonstrate value for money.

We continue to be grateful for the generosity of the Díon committee and are delighted to welcome David Cooney, Ambassador of Ireland, and Gerry Kelly, Díon Committee Chairman, and their respective families, to London. May I thank the staff for their commitment and enthusiasm and all our affiliates for their support. A particular thank you to the trustee board who give so freely of their valuable time to bring a wealth of expertise, experience and good humour to the Federation.

Chair’s Report

‘we have seen a declining need for crisis intervention among our affiliate organisations.... stability has allowed the team to invest more in developing proactive, progressive and sustainable organisations’

Dr Mary TilkiChair

5

I am delighted to take this opportunity to report back to you on what has been an extremely busy but very successful year for FIS. The report from our Capacity Building Team (CBT) shows the many and varied issues which have been presented by affiliated organisations this year, and how the CBT have tailored our support to address the issues.

FIS continues to represent the Irish Voluntary sector in Britain and have made strong representation to local government and statutory bodies to ensure that Irish community needs are recognised and that appropriate measures are taken to ensure that they are treated equitably.

Our theme for the year focused on new external partnerships, as well as facilitating closer links between our member organisations. FIS are keen to continue to support partnership working and see the role of bridge building as an important aspect of our work. Smaller voluntary organisations are encouraged to work in partnership to give them a strong voice and appropriate infrastructure to meet the growing demands of third sector funding. This year, more than ever, we have seen the importance of maintaining close contact with our minority ethnic partners, such as ROTA and Voice4Change, to work together on issues such as the proposed withdrawal of single community funding.

We welcome the adoption of the report into the needs of the Irish community in Britain which was carried out by the British Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body (BIIPB), Committee D. FIS first raised these issues with the BIIPB in 2005 and I would like to offer my grateful thanks to the Chair of Committee D, Lord Alf Dubs, and his colleagues, who gave a great deal of their time in hearing evidence for the report. The Report makes recommendations regarding the needs of the Irish community living in Britain which we will use as evidence in negotiations with local authorities and funders.

I remain, as ever, indebted to FIS’ enthusiastic, dedicated and extremely hard working team who continue to work tirelessly to achieve our outcomes.

Finally, I would like to offer my grateful thanks to the Chair and Trustees who have supported our work throughout the year and who are always willing to share their skills and expertise to develop and build on our successes.

Chief Executive Officer’s Report

‘FIS continues to represent the Irish Voluntary sector in Britain and have made strong representation to local government and statutory bodies to ensure that the Irish community needs are recognised ’

Eithne RynneCEO

6

Promotion FIS organised a very successful and high-profile ‘Give up this Lent’ smoking cessation campaign. Posters and information leaflets were provided to all affiliate organisations as well as a range of pubs, clubs, churches and other community centres across the country. The campaign won plaudits from the leading smoking cessation charity ‘No Smoking Day’ and the Department of Health.

The Health Bus brought the FIS healthy living and health promotion messages to the centre of the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in London. Over 100 people availed themselves of the blood pressure testing and information provided by three nurses who staffed the bus.

Supporting affiliatesFIS provided affiliates with a calendar of health promotion events that could be held alongside luncheon clubs, tea dances and other activities, these included events on prostate cancer awareness, falls prevention, healthy eating and alcohol awareness.

FIS supported affiliates to organise successful health promotion and information days which targeted the local Irish community.

FIS supported affiliates in making representations to their local Primary Care Trust for funding and partnership working. This included several successful partnership arrangements for health information days, policy and research commissioning, conferences and commissioning of services.

Influencing and changing policyFIS has been one of the most vociferous charities advocating a move towards tackling health inequalities, and has stressed the necessity for preventative measures and early access as key to improving the health of the Irish community. FIS was delighted when the UK government announced measures to screen the population for heart disease, stroke and cardiovascular disease – an issue on which FIS has been campaigning for some time.

FIS was instrumental in ensuring that the Irish community’s position as a key ethnic minority was maintained in the moves integrating all the equalities strands, and contributed heavily to the drafting of the NHS Single Equality Scheme. FIS has met with the Equalities and Human Rights Unit at the Department of Health to ensure that the ‘Irish’ category in ethnic monitoring is adhered to by all NHS and Department of Health bodies.

FIS also played a key role in the creation of a health inequalities strategy for London and had all its major recommendations included in the final report produced for the Greater London Authority.

FIS supports many academic studies and much research into the health of the Irish community. This research supports the evidence already collated that shows the health of the Irish community to be much worse than other BME groups, and is used by FIS to lobby statutory sector organisations to provide adequate services for the Irish community.

Health

8

Community Focus

Leeds Irish History Month Launch

FIS Chair, Dr Mary Tilki, was one of the speakers at the launch on the 2 March. �e speech is printed here in full - Mary’s words are a great accompaniment for these images of St Patrick’s Day and a timely reminder of the Irish community’s pride of place and contribution to British society. In her

speech Mary said: “I am delighted to represent the Federation of Irish Societies at the launch of Irish History Month in Leeds. Leeds is a wonderful city with many close connections to FIS through the Irish Arts Foundation, Leeds Irish Health and Homes and Leeds Irish Centre, as well as the thriving GAA and CCE scene. “�ere is great awareness of the richness of Irish culture, from its music and literature to its arts and dance. However there is an increasing need to recognise the history of Irish migration, as like many other migrants we are in danger of being lost to the histories of two places; the places we came from and the places we came to. “�is is partly because migrant history is the story of ordinary men and women but we are airbrushed out of Irish history (especially the women) and we are not painted into the history of Britain. “Like our Jewish, Black, Asian, Eastern European and other fellow migrants we are shaping the history of the societies we have come to. �e Irish History Month, the St Patrick’s Day Parades and Festivals are a testimony to the impact we have on UK society. “Moreover, these events are enjoyed by the whole community and bring in crowds of non-Irish people and indeed Irish people who do not always follow the Irish scene. “It is very easy to talk about the migrants and the host culture. However, it is timely to remember we are not guests any more. We are no longer visitors but here to stay. We are the host culture. We are a proud and distinct part of that host culture and we want to share in making that history. “

FIS Health Bus St Patrick’s Festival LondonConor McGinn, FIS Health Development Worker, once again took to the road to bring information and health checks to the Irish community. Conor was assisted by qualified nurses and health profes-sionals. Many of the revellers at the St Patricks celebration in central london took the opportunity to have the checks and take away the wide-ranging literature. Photographer Louise Jefferson.

Community Focus

13

Irish History Month, a pioneering venture in Britain, exists to promote knowledge of Irish History and experiences in Britain and beyond, its purpose is to disseminate information on the many positive contributions that Irish people have made to British society and also to introduce new audiences to the vibrancy of Irish arts, heritage, culture and history.

Irish History Month, to be launched in Leeds, takes place in venues across the city throughout the month of March, the month in which St Patrick’s Day is celebrated.

So what’s involved then? �ere is a programme of events to suit all tastes.

Following the official launch with guest speakers Gerry Kelly (Embassy of Ireland /Chair Dion Committee), Dr Mary Tilki (Chair Federation of Irish Societies), John Roles (Leeds City Museum), Sean Gallagher (Development Director, Leeds Metropolitan University), Jackie Dwyer (Chair Leeds St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee) and Anna Gilbert (Director, Liverpool Irish Festival).

�e Experience Ireland event on Sunday 2nd March at the Carriageworks �eatre on Millennium Square in the heart of Leeds, is a one day free family-friendly day with workshops on music, dance and crafts, live traditional music sessions and a range of stalls, exhibitions and displays.�ere are performances from Ceoltoiri Coleman , a group of traditional Irish musicians all the way from County Sligo in the west of Ireland and a CD launch from the London based traditional Irish band �e Long Notes.

�e day culminates with a performance from one the most popular Irish comedians to have emerged in recent years Dara O’Briain who performs at the Grand �eatre, Leeds.

�ere are also events in the new Arts Centre SEVEN on Harrogate Road. �ese include traditional Irish music concerts on the 7th and 25th of March.

We are delighted this year to be working closely with Leeds Metropolitan University who are organizing a series of events to celebrate Irish History Month under the Leeds Met Ireland Banner and the Leeds St. Patrick’s Day Parade which takes place on Sunday 9th March.

For the fan of visual arts the month features the mightily impressive Roisin Bán exhibition about the Irish in Leeds; photographic displays from local groups and photographers and much more.

�ere are also a number of concerts and recitals featuring local and national musicians and performers as well as schools workshops, literary events and parades.

For further details see: www.irishhistorymonth.com

Irish History Month launch: Leeds March 08

7

Representation & PolicyFIS continues to make representation on affiliate’s behalf at national and local government level. FIS regularly attends consultation meetings in respect of the Census 2011, the Department of Works & Pensions Equality and Disability Forums, the Greater London Authority (GLA) Stakeholder team and sits on various other regional equality bodies. FIS has recently been asked to sit on the London European Social Fund Committee and the GLA’s Health Inequalities Impact Assessment to represent the Irish voluntary sector. As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure that the Irish community are included in new policy or strategies being developed at local government level we have made regular submissions to various statutory agencies. FIS has developed strong links with two other BME umbrella groups with a view to working in partnership: Race on the Agenda (Rota); and Voice4Change.

FIS has been successful in lobbying the Office of National Statistics (ONS) to ensure the question relating to Irish ethnicity remained in the Test Census held in May this year. Our Policy officer continues sitting on the ONS ‘Census Diversity Advisory Group’ and has worked to keep the Irish question on the agenda. Earlier this year, as part of the British Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body (BIIPB) Committee D enquiry, we had the opportunity to lobby the ONS to include Irish Travellers as a separate category. We also requested they look at place of parents or grandparents birth which would ensure that we do not lose data on 2nd or 3rd generation. Following the analysis of the Test Census we will continue to work with the ONS to ensure that the 2011 census includes the Irish question.

This year FIS has continued to encourage the growth of the Irish Professional Networks (IPN). Birmingham, Coventry, and Sheffield have now joined the more established Manchester and Leeds networks. Our overarching aim is to develop stronger links between the business and voluntary sector. We are now also working in partnership with Enterprise Ireland (EI) and have taken the former EI Young Irish Professionals Network under the IPN umbrella. The IPN now have a national presence with a strong and committed steering committee which is made up of representatives from FIS, EI and regional IPN’s.

FIS has produced a suite of twenty four reports analysing Census data on a regional basis. This is to provide our members with evidence of the needs of the Irish community in their local and regional areas. This evidence can be used by affiliates when approaching their local authorities regarding services or seeking funding.

NEEDS

The Irish community’s overarching need from the Census is for data on Irish people in Britain (or England

& Wales in the case of this consultation), in a form which is comparable with data for other ethnic groups.

This is the context in which the Irish ‘Country of Birth’ data was presented following the 1991 Census. It is

also the context in which the ‘Irish’ data, collected via the Ethnic Group Question, has been presented in

the detailed Ethnic Tables from the 2001 Census.

However the collective data on Irish people in Britain is made up from data covering a number of Census

areas or topics, which are summarised in the bulleted points above on p. 1. The general message we wish

to convey to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) concerning these topics is that we need at least the

same amount of detail on these areas as was available in the 1991 and 2001 Censuses.

We need this data down to detailed geographical levels, for reasons given above (p. 1-2).

In terms of supplementary output population bases which ONS proposes1 , we would require these for

the institutional population, by type of institution

households

families.

In the context of the three categories under which the ONS document sets out its list of Census Topics:

Most of the topics from which the Irish data of disadvantage is derived are in category 1. One of these

topics, ‘Ethnicity and Identity’ – a key topic for the Irish community – is dealt with separately below (pp. 5-6).

FIS’s analysis and recommendations in the rest of this document will concentrate on three areas:

the demoted topics of interest

·Some of the newly suggested topics

·Ethnicity and the Irish data

·

DEMOTED TOPICS OF INTEREST AND NEWLY SUGGESTED TOPICS

Number of vehicles: We support the continuing collection of this information. It is used as an indirect

indicator of deprivation and has implications in relation to travel to work. The question asked elsewhere

‘Transport used to travel to work’ will not capture exactly the same data. The 1991 and 2001 Censuses

have shown low levels of car ownership for Irish people.

Central heating / Bath/Shower and toilet access: ONS has argued here on the basis of the small

proportions of the population affected by the lack of these amenities. But it is necessary at the same time

for ONS to take into consideration whether the reduced incidence of these disadvantages affect any section

of the community disproportionately. Our affiliated housing associations tell us that they consider this

data significant for their advocacy purposes, so we recommend their retention. They also tell us that their

experience makes it difficult for them to accept the Census statistics on ‘Bath/shower and toilet access’,

which may mean that they are dealing with a client group disproportionately affected.

1 The 2001 Census: Initial view on Content for England and Wales , p. 6.

FIS RESPONSE TO ONS CENSUS 2011 CONSULTATION PAPER, INITIAL VIEW ON CONTENT FOR ENGLAND AND WALES

General: Since this will be largely a post-out/post-back census, (a) clarity of guidance on census paper is a paramount necessity; and (b) special arrangements should be made to reach certain sections of the population, e.g. homeless, those with literacy problems.

BACKGROUNDThe basic reasons why the Irish communities need Irish data from the Census - and other sources - relate to the formation of policy and the promotion of equal opportunities in such key areas as health, education, housing, employment, industry and carers.

Data from previous censuses has provided valuable baseline data which has been used to highlight Irish inequalities and to advocate Irish needs both at a national and local level. The data we have used to do this, drawing on the 1991 and 2001 censuses, has covered the following areas:Health Education (including qualifications/lack of qualifications and access to training and re-training for

employment1)Housing Social Class Configuration Employment

In the same context, there was new data in the 2001 Census on

Unpaid carers People in institutions, where, generally, the Irish had an elevated presence Distance travelled to work, which is important for transport planning

We are aware that ONS has always argued that space and the need to encourage completion of the questionnaire restrict the amount of information that can be gathered, and we are aware of the need for ONS to argue the business case for the cost of the of the Census. However, we feel that equal attention needs to be given to the necessity to collect data for which need has been established – both with regard to the new information which ONS believes to be necessary to address the undercount in the 2001 Census and other data required by local authorities and communities.

FIS welcomes the recognition that Census data is required for small population groups and/or at detailed geographical levels. It is a point which we made to the ONS during the consultation for Census 2001. At present such statistics are required by local authorities and the health sector to identify and meet the needs of their populations; they are needed by Irish organisations for advocacy purposes at local levels and to support local/targeted bids, particularly in the light of the government’s emphasis on Neighbourhood Renewal.

FIS argues in addition that because of the wide ‘invisibility’ of Irish needs that Irish communities need the data as well for wider advocacy.

1 Access to government training schemes was collected in 1991 but not in 2001.

Census 2011:FIS Response to ONS Consultation

Seán HuttonCommunity Policy Officer

Federation of Irish Societies

52 Camden SquareLondon NW1 9XB0207 424 7293

SHutton@irishsocieties.org

www.irishsocieties.org

August 2005

8

There have been a range of significant achievements within the Capacity Building Programme this year. We have tailored our support, advice and training services to the particular needs presented by our members and have been able to respond quickly and effectively to resolve many of the member’s issues.

Communications

This year we have built on the success of our improved communication links with members and stakeholders and continue to achieve our target of publishing a monthly newsletter. In conjunction with our website it keeps members informed on a wide range of topics, encourages sharing of good practice and gives affiliates and other relevant agencies an opportunity to advertise their projects, services and job vacancies. The improvement in communications has led to increased attendance at the forums, training sessions, seminars, workshops and the Information Day coordinated by FIS staff during the year, which has given us the opportunity to share knowledge and expertise throughout the Irish voluntary sector.

Forums

Forums run over the last year include Managers, Advice Workers and Culture. Issues covered include commissioning agenda, employment support initiatives, sources of funding streams, service development, monitoring & evaluation systems and many more relevant topics. We are delighted at the level of support given to the forums and the very positive feedback from participating members. Many of the issues discussed at the forums led on to specific training workshops and seminars being run. Training & Information Days

In response to the subject of disability benefits that came up regularly in the advice workers forum, FIS organised and ran a series of training courses in collaboration with Disability Alliance. The courses covered introduction to Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Appeals Procedures. They were well attended and electronic copies of the training materials were available for those unable to attend. Participants’ feedback included:

“The training … was the best I have attended. It was well presented in a fashion and at a level that allowed all points and details to be fully understood. The facilitators were obviously on top of their subject.”

“I found the day incredibly useful. The standard of training was excellent - at the right level with very easy to use material.”

We were very pleased to be awarded funding from the Governance Hub to carry out an extensive regional training programme for Trustees and Committee members throughout the country. These proved an excellent opportunity to increase governance skills within our sector and we intend to use these to cascade this training to many more organisations in the coming year. Topics covered included:-

* Good governance and why it’s important* National Standards for Trustees and the Code of Governance* Roles and responsibilities of trustees and officers roles of chair, treasurer and secretary* The boundaries of governance and management* Approaches to improving board effectiveness

CBT Work Programme 2007-08

1

NewsletterOctober 2007

FIS exists to represen

t and develop ou

r Community

At the recent Díon Awards ceremony

it was announced that a total of £6.6

million was given to organisations

in Britain. �e Minister for Foreign

Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern, made

the announcement and said he had:

“Great admiration of the invaluable

work of the organisations on the

front line in Britain in providing

care and assistance to emigrants and

especially to the most vulnerable

members of the community”

While it is excellent to see new

organisations and projects funded

this year it is worthy to note that

unfortunately there were also

organisations that either had a

reduced allocation or where funding

was not allocated at all. Indeed

the Federation are among those

organisations who did not receive

the entire amount for the projects

we applied for and this of course

will have a significant impact on

our planned developments for this

coming year.

It is a timely reminder to us all that

we are in a very different funding

climate and I would like to reiterate

the message that FIS has been giving

about not becoming over reliant

on Díon or indeed any one funder.

Members who attended the recent

National meeting in the London

Irish Centre on 22 September and

who attended Congress in June will

have heard the grave message about

the new way in which statutory

bodies are dealing with the funding

of voluntary organisations. It is this

model of commissioning of services

that we need to be concerned about

and all organisations need to be

aware of the importance of ensuring

we are best placed to access and be

a part of the commissioning process.

FIS have organised a number of

workshops to give organisations

the relevant information and our

Capacity Building team are happy to

give additional information where

required.

Last month the Board of Trustees

and Senior Management Team

met to discuss the work of FIS and

to develop our priorities for the

coming year. Our strategic aims are:

to support, represent and develop

the Irish voluntary and community

sector in Britain; to ensure equality

of opportunity and social inclusion

for the Irish voluntary sector; to

work closely with other BAME

groups in identifying and addressing

community health issues; and

to promote and increase access

to diversity in Arts and Cultural

experiences.

While those are our key strategic

aims there are of course a number

of objectives to achieve within

each aim and these are currently

being written into our operational

plan for the coming 12 months.

�e plan will detail our objectives

and our anticipated outcomes with

specific target dates. It will include

our priorities in representation and

policy development for the Irish

voluntary sector and will outline the

work we hope to achieve on behalf of

our members.

Director’s Update

A Report by Eithne Rynne

Mr Dermot Ahern, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Eithne Rynne, FIS

Director, at the Dion Awards ceremony

1

NewsletterMarch 2008

FIS exists to represent and develop our members and the Irish Community

�e Federation of Irish Societies is a member of

ROTA and participates in the MiNet Steering

Group; Seán Hutton, the FIS Policy Office, is the

Federation’s representative.

FIS hosted the most recent Steering Group

meeting of MiNet at its London office.

MiNet - (Minority Network) is the regional network

of networks of the BME voluntary and community

sector for London. MiNet is funded by the Home

Office as the BME strand of the regional voluntary

sector network for London, to:

Unlock further funding for the BME sector at the

• regional level Advocate effectively for the sector at regional

• level to ensure that it is consulted and recognised

as valuable in different policy areas and across

the sector Increase the effectiveness of the sector

•

through the provision of information, advice,

representation, training, publication, and

development services MiNet is hosted and supported by ROTA.

•

Race on the Agenda (ROTA) is a social policy

think tank that has been active since 1986. ROTA

works with London’s Black, Asian and

minority ethnic (BAME) communities towards

achieving social justice by the elimination of discrimination and

promotion of human rights, diversity and equality

of opportunity. We achieve these aims by informing

London’s strategic decision-makers about the issues

affecting the BAME voluntary and community

sector (VCS) and the communities it serves and

by making government policy more accessible to

London’s BME organisations. MiNet, the regional

BAME network joined ROTA in 2002. Its focus

is on strengthening the voice for London’s BAME

VCS in the development of regional policy.

Source for information on ROTA and MiNet:

http://www.rota.org.uk

FIS Hosts BAME MiNet Steering Group MeetingL-R: Seán Hutton, Federation of Irish Societies; Buddhev Pandya, Confederation of Indian Organisations; Rafiu Williams, Race on

the Agenda; David Ayinne, Ethnic Minority Partnership Agency (EMPA); and Tzeggai Yohannes Deres, Evelyn Oldfield Unit.

9

Three training sessions have been completed from January this year, targeting workers and volunteers in the North West region, to look at ways of bridging the gaps in our knowledge on issues Irish Travellers & Gypsies face when dealing with the planning system and around our awareness of cultural issues and attitudes. FIS collaborated with North West Planning Aid, FIS affiliates working with Travellers and Gypsies, and the Irish Traveller Movement to hold a series of workshops to help redress the balance. The courses covered awareness about Irish Traveller and Gypsy cultures, understanding the planning process, system and issues, and dealing with the planning process aimed at individuals and families. We are looking into arranging similar training sessions in other regions in the near future.

‘Restoring the Balance’ was a very successful one day training event organised and facilitated by FIS to bring Arts Council England (ACE) and our member organisations together to explore ways of working in partnership and developing the relationship between ACE and the Irish voluntary sector. The Director of the London Irish Centre, Peter Hammond, wrote: “I was most impressed by and greatly enjoyed the day [Ged] organised recently with the Art Council. It was a clever mix of presentations, entertainment, and networking. I am sure that many Irish organisations will benefit as a result.”

Workshops

The continued and much valued support from the Department of Social & Family Affairs Ireland this year saw the delivery of an excellent information day for Advice organisations throughout the UK. The day enables Irish welfare agencies in the UK to receive up-to-date and accurate information on benefits and other matters that affect clients who wish to return to Ireland. It was also a great opportunity for our frontline workers to feed back to the Department the needs and concerns of the Irish population here. Arlene Boreland, Women’s Irish Centre Advice Worker, said: “The Information Day was a well organized day and gave a very informative insight into the benefit system in Ireland; likewise the new housing rules and initiatives. The question and answer session with the panel was extremely useful.”

FIS are pleased to have the opportunity to work closely with statutory and voluntary bodies from both countries to facilitate and strengthen links for the benefit of Irish people living in Britain but considering returning to live in Ireland.

Many other training and workshop opportunities have been made available to FIS affiliates during the last year including: information on Díon funding, key health information, clubs & community centres issues, commissioning, good governance and child protection issues. These workshops have provided the opportunity to share knowledge and expertise throughout the Irish voluntary sector.

7

PLUGGING THE GAPS!

FREE WORKSHOPS :

Planning issues, Irish Travellers and Gypsies

A series of free awareness workshops are being organised from

January to March 2008 in Manchester

We all have gaps in our knowledge either around the issues that Travellers face when dealing with

the planning system or around our awareness of cultural issues and attitudes. So the Federation is

collaborating with North West Planning Aid and FIS affiliates working with Travellers and Gypsies and

the Irish Traveller Movement to hold a series of workshops to help plug the gaps!

A booking form accompanies this newsletter or is available to download from the Federation’s website.

Please note: �ese workshops are targeted at workers and volunteers in the North West region but if

you are interested please submit a booking form. If we have spare places we will allocate them to people

from outside the north west who have requested a place, and if we have a high level of demand we will

look into arranging similar events in other regions in the future.

�e themes are:

Workshop 1 –awareness about Irish Traveller and Gypsy cultures

�is workshop will be aimed primarily at town and country planners who are volunteers for

North West Planning Aid, plus other interested people. It will take place at on Monday 28th

January, 4 -7 pm at the Mechanics Institute, in Manchester city centre.

Workshop 2 – understanding the planning process, system and issues

�is is aimed at advice and support workers working with Irish Travellers and Gypsies who

need to know more about the planning permission system and how it impacts upon Irish

Travellers and Gypsies. It will take place on Wednesday 27th February, 4-7pm at the Irish

Centre, Queens Rd, Cheetham Hill in Manchester.

Workshop 3/Surgery – dealing with the planning process

�is is aimed at individuals and families. �is workshop will offer some informal training

and information for Gypsy and Irish Traveller communities and includes a planning drop

in surgery. �is will take place on �ursday afternoon and early evening on 6th March 08 at

the Irish Centre, Queens Rd, Cheetham Hill in Manchester.

If you are interested in attending these workshops please submit a booking form or contact either Helen

White, at the Birmingham FIS office on T 0121 622 4169 F 0121 622 5613: or Jan Beaumont, at North

West Planning Aid t/f: 0161 969 3672 e: nwco@planningaid.rtpi.org.uk,

*‘Planning Aid’ provides free, independent and professional town planning

advice and support to communities and individuals who cannot afford to pay

planning consultant fees. It complements the work of local planning

authorities, but is wholly independent of them. Take a look at their website

www.planningaid.rtpi.org.uk

FIS Training FIS Training FIS Training

FIS are delighted to announce that ACE have agreed to work with FIS to move towards a greater mutual understanding that will allow Irish cultural groups a fairer chance of accessing ACE and Lottery funding

CBT Work Programme 2007-08

10

Affiliated Groups: Direct Support

Our work with affiliated groups has also been ongoing and carried out according to the response level and work plan designed for each group by the Capacity Building Team. The breakdown of support to affiliates, types of support work, together with breakdowns of affiliate organisations by type and region, are shown below.

Ongoing support at Board Meetings•Support with Recruitment & Selection•Support with Strategic Planning•Assistance with Fund raising•Support with Financial Management•Advice on Best Practice•Support with attracting new Board members•Managing Community Consultants•Support with developing collaborative practices •Support and advice on developing Lunch Clubs•Mentor Support for New Managers•Informal Staff training•Support with new buildings•

Design and facilitation of ‘Away Days’•Advice on collaborating with other groups•Assistance with Professional Network start up•Support to staff teams as required•Advice on collaborating with CIS•Advice on tendering contracts with local PCT•Resolving financial issues•Support for Research project•Support with creation of new Irish organisation•Advice & support with Health Development •projectsHealth development lobbying and •representation

Associate3%

Clubs & Centres30%

Community Care25%

Culture12%

Elders3%

Housing Association4%

Non Venue23%

East Midlands7%

London32%

North East1%

North West 15%

South East21%

South West2%

Wales1%

West Midlands12%

Yorkshire & Humberside9%

Affiliate Groups by Type Affiliate Groups by Region

Affiliate Groups by Support Level9%

12%

39%

13%

27% Acute - 6 months to 1 year

Acute/Development - 1 year

Developmental - 3 months to 1 year

Developmental/Minor - 3 months

Minor - 6 months

CBT Work Programme 2007-08

11

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2008 Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total Total Funds Funds Funds 2008 2007 £ £ £ £ £

Incoming Resources

Incoming resources from generated funds

Voluntary income 10,302 - - 10,302 60,740 Investment income 26,771 - - 26,771 25,860

Incoming resources from charitable activities 46,198 616,323 - 662,521 505,250 ────── ────── ────── ────── ────── Total Incoming Resources 83,271 616,323 - 699,594 591,850 ────── ────── ────── ────── ──────

Resources Expended Charitable activities 327,867 536,695 - 864,562 757,681 Governance costs 7,534 - - 7,534 11,180 ────── ────── ────── ────── ────── Total Resources Expended 335,401 536,695 - 872,096 768,861 ────── ────── ────── ────── ────── Net (Outgoing)/Incoming Resources before Transfers (252,130) 79,628 - (172,502) (177,011)

Transfer between funds 114,466 (114,466) - - - ────── ────── ────── ────── ──────

Net income (137,664) (34,838) - (172,502) (177,011)

Reconciliation of Funds Total funds brought forward at 1April 2007 154,773 86,205 70,016 310,994 488,005 ────── ────── ────── ────── ────── Total funds carried forward at 31 March 2008 £ 17,109 £ 51,367 £ 70,016 £ 138,492 £ 310,994 ══════ ══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2008

2008 2007 £ £ £ FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 11,334 9,865 ──────

CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 47,358 44,322 Cash at bank and in hand 279,381 509,651 ────── ────── 326,739 553,973 CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year 199,581 252,844 ────── ──────

NET CURRENT ASSETS 127,158 301,129 ────── ────── NET ASSETS £ 138,492 £ 310,994 ══════ ══════

FINANCED BY:

Unrestricted funds 17,109 154,773 Restricted funds 51,367 86,205 Designated funds 70,016 70,016 ────── ────── £ 138,492 £ 310,994 ══════ ══════

The summary financial statements are extracted from the full audited financial statements. The audit opinion on the full financial statements was not qualified and they were approved by the trustees on 20th May 2008 and submitted to the Charity Commission and Companies House during June 2008. Copies of the full financial statements, including the unqualified audit report, can be obtained from the charity’s registered office: 95 White Lion Street, London N1 9PF. 020 7833 1226.

Dr Mary Tilki (Chair)

The summarised financial statements are consistent with the full audited financial statements.

Alison Ward Accountants Chartered Certified Accountants and Registered Auditors

12

The Federation of Irish Societies

London Office:95 White Lion StreetIslingtonLondon N1 9PFTel: 020 7833 1226Fax: 020 7833 3214info@irishsocieties.orgwww.irishsocieties.org

Birmingham Office:Suite 211, Keys Court82-84 Moseley StreetBirmingham B12 ORTTel: 0121 622 4169Fax: 0121 622 5613

Manchester Office:EMF House12 Charlotte StreetManchester M1 4FLTel: 0161 245 3221Fax: 0161 245 3315manchester@irishsocieties.org

FIS exists to represent and develop our members and our community