Touchstone’s Community Development Team were named “Best Partner” by Leeds Adult Social Care, in their Excellence Awards 2011. Nafisa Miraf and Samantha Powell and Jon Beech were nominated for the award in recognition of their development of the Migrant Community Organiser Programme alongside Zobi Barok from Feel Good Factor and Pria Bhabra of Adult Social Care.
The Migrant Community Organiser Programme has so far trained more than 23 community activists from migrant communities in how to get the most out of Housing, Education, Health, Mental Health, Job Centres and other vital services. These activists then cascade this information, telling others within their communities how can get what they want
first time – whilst also helping services understand how to communicate effectively with their communities, and engage more effectively.
Leeds City Council also won an award for their work with Leeds Migration Partnership, which initiated this project, along with several others – and which were funded by the now defunct Migration Impact Fund.
The award was presented by the Head of Social Services, Sandie Keane and Cllr Yeadon.
