26 November 2007

New migrants to the UK could benefit from a mentoring scheme TimeBank has argued today at the launch of a new pamphlet, produced as part of Lord Goldsmith's Citizenship Review.

'Mentoring for New Migrants', the second pamphlet in a series being published by the Review, argues Britain has a history of rich diversity and a tradition of volunteering. The authors explore how this culture could be harnessed into a formal mentoring scheme to motivate and support newcomers who have made a long-term commitment to the UK.
 
'Mentoring for New Migrants' draws evidence for this from TimeBank's national refugee mentoring scheme, Time Together. This scheme matches people with refugees in one to one mentoring relationships. Mentors support and encourage people as they integrate into their new community.

Lord Goldsmith said:

'One aim of my Review is to look at practical ways we can build a shared sense of belonging in Britain. I hope this pamphlet by TimeBank helps stimulate debate on that issue.

'This mentoring scheme Time Together is a good way of providing refugees with a greater sense of confidence and a better understanding of British culture; it helps them and also helps the communities in which they settle. But I am also impressed by how many people are willing to make the regular and extensive commitment mentoring requires. They do it because they want to show that Britain is a welcoming place; so their sense of being British motivates them to be helpful to others who are joining our society.'

Lord Goldsmith said that he would be looking closely at the proposed scheme as he develops recommendations for the Prime Minister as part of his Review.

Andrew Dick, author of TimeBank's paper, says:

'In a climate of rapid population shifts, mentoring represents a practical way to bring people closer because the one to one relationship fosters a greater understanding of different cultures.

'We think our Time Together model has untapped potential and could successfully be applied to supporting newcomers who actively choose to commit to living in the UK long term.'

Moira Swinbank OBE, Chief Executive of TimeBank, says:

'In its broadest context, a mentoring scheme supporting new migrants begins to create a society where citizenship means more than a legal status; it's about joint experiences that bond communities regardless of nationality.

'TimeBank's paper for Lord Goldsmith's Review reflects an ambition to move towards a Britain of shared values and a sense of belonging that celebrates diversity.'

TimeBank's paper launches at an event that brings together representatives from Government and third sector organisations to further inform the Citizenship Review by considering how a mentoring scheme for migrants might work in practice.

Notes to editors

1. As part of the 'Governance of Britain' green paper, published on 3 July 2007, the Prime Minister asked Lord Goldsmith to carry out a review of citizenship.
2. The pamphlet 'Mentoring for New Migrants' is available on the Citizenship Review website www.justice.gov.uk/reviews/citizenship.htm
3. The review's terms of reference are:

To clarify the legal rights and responsibilities associated with British citizenship, in addition to those enjoyed under the Human Rights Act, as a basis for defining what it means to be a citizen in Britain's open democratic society.
To consider the difference between the different categories of British nationality.
To examine the relationship between residence, citizenship and British national status and the incentives for long-term residents to become British citizens.
To explore the role of citizens and residents in civic society, including voting, jury service and other forms of civic participation.

This work will include a review of the evidence gathered in government, by among others the Commission on Integration and Cohesion, and non-government sources and will make recommendations. The review will work closely with the Youth Citizenship Commission on areas of mutual interest.
The review will report to the Prime Minister by 31 March 2008.
4. TimeBank tackles social issues by finding ways for people to give their time that inspire them and match their lives. We know it's a lot to ask people to give up their time and so we are committed to finding ways that suit how people live and that addresses the needs of the world we live in. http://www.timebank.org.uk/
5. Time Together was set up in 2002 by TimeBank, in response to a Government white paper that recommended the provision of mentoring schemes to help refugees integrate better in the UK. The project matches local people with refugees in one to one mentoring relationships. Mentors spend around five hours a month with their mentee. There are now 24 Time Together projects operating across the UK. http://www.timetogether.org.uk/
6. Research commissioned in 2007 by Time Together found the mentoring scheme is highly successful at enabling refugees to overcome the difficulties and barriers they face on starting life in a new country. Ninety per cent of mentees said they felt at home in the UK following their Time Together relationship.
7. Andrew Dick is Head of Development at TimeBank where he has worked for the last 4 years. One of his many achievements is having been instrumental in the development and growth of refugee mentoring scheme Time Together.
8. For more information on Lord Goldsmith's Citizenship Review contact Alfred Bacchus 020 7210 1476.
9. For further information on TimeBank contact Helen Platt, Head of Communications 0207 785 6386

<% ' Required to set the selected navigation class dim CSS CSS = "" %>

• back to top ^

• © Crown Copyright
• Page last updated on 28 November 2007