Working towards eliminating racism is a team effort. That's why PDREC works hand in hand with other organisations across the region to share skills and resources. Here we find out how these partnerships work and why they’re so important
Every alternate Friday at Sherwell United Reform Church in North Hill, between 60 and 80 people of all different ages, from all over the world get together to cook a meal.
It’s busy, noisy and fun, with children eating and playing, grown-ups chatting and preparing food, setting tables or washing up.
The Cultural Kitchen has become a vital part of daily life for many of Plymouth’s refugees and asylum seekers, helping to provide a safe meeting place and a sense of belonging for families and individuals.
The event is run by Students and Refugees Together (START), a charity and not-for-profit company largely made up of students on professional placements who want to build up their skills and experience by working with refugee communities.
As well as coordinating regular events, START’s team offers practical support to people looking to find housing, work, income and education.
It’s a mission shared by Plymouth and District Racial Equality Council and the two organisations often work together, teaming up to swap skills and provide information whenever it’s needed for those that need it most.
“We work very closely with PDREC,” says Susie Dent from START’s management team. “If people are experiencing racism in housing or in the services they’re trying to access, then we can refer them on to PDREC for support.
“Different agencies have very different areas of expertise it’s really important that we use all the resources we have.
“We want to support people to take their lives forward.”
Susie says START and PDREC share expertise in areas such as disability benefits and domestic abuse help.
The two organisations also promote and help at each other’s community events, even providing volunteers to wash up or help clear away afterwards.
“It’s got to be a team effort,” says Julie Paget, strategic manager at PDREC. She believes that working with START and other companies, charities and groups across the city and beyond is the only way to build a fairer society in the long term. “We have got to work in partnership because the problems are too big for one organisation to tackle on its own,” said Julie.
PDREC works with a range of groups and agencies, including Plymouth Access to Housing (PATH) and Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support.
“But we also work with local healthcare, police, schools and local authorities,” added Julie. “We have to challenge racism at all levels whenever we encounter it and that takes a coordinated approach.”
To find out more about the organisations PDREC works with, click here
To find out more about START, click here