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Ruth Renvoize is Greenwich Community Network Representative for Refugees. She is one of the original reps, having joined the group when the Network was first established.
So Ruth, how did you first become involved in the Networks?
Becoming involved with the Network seemed a natural progression from the work I was doing beforehand. I was already, helping to develop, support and inform, refugee and asylum groups in Greenwich. When the Community Network idea was first developed, it represented an excellent opportunity for me to develop and strengthen my work,enabling refugee groups to have a voice and network within a high profile and well co-ordinated project.
What are your main interests in your work?
My main area of work revolves around refugee groups who seek to support and serve their own communities.
What groups or official bodies are you involved with?
I am involved directly with the following:
- Social Inclusion and Justice Steering Group Meeting
- Greenwich Refugee Week Planning Group
- Greenwich Refugee Children's Health Forum
- Greenwich Community Network related meetings
- RENET – SE London Race Equality Community Network
- Bromley Refugee Partnership
- Bexley Children and Young People community group
- Bexley Voluntary Service Forum
- Bromley Health Forum
- Refugee groups in Greenwich, Bexley and Bromley
I also have close contact with:
- The Refugee Council
- Community Links
You obviously work with a lot of different people, do you have any highlights of your work so far?
On the whole, one of the main highlights for me has been giving the groups I represent a voice on the Greenwich Partnership. Through the Network I have been able to raise specific concerns where it matters most and ensure they are listened to and considered. Seeing groups develop and obtain funding has been encouraging as this means more refugees and asylum seekers are able to access services and receive the help they need.
More specifically, Refugee Week proved a particular highlight provided an excellent opportunity to network, listen to good speakers and enjoy entertainment and food from different cultures. The Refugee Performance Group was an additional highlight in 2005 when a group of people from different ethnic backgrounds worked together to create an interesting and thought provoking performance called "The Mystery of the Sun".
Other highlights have included a training programme with Neighbourhood Renewal – the day was extremely informative and provided the opportunity to network with a large variety of people.
With so much good work already done, what are you looking forward to in the future?
The opportunity to provide the groups I represent with a voice on the Greenwich Partnership is one I truly believe in.
I am also looking forward to seeing the Greenwich Refugee Network developed. As more groups and individuals get involved they can share their concerns and be connected to relevant forums and organisations in the borough. Through this process I can help empower refugees and asylum seekers to achieve one of their goals: That of playing a more active role in their local communities as residents of Greenwich, and not simply feeling "outsiders" who have come to the area.
Finally, what role do you feel the Greenwich Community Network can play in Greenwich?
I feel as Network Representatives we can give a collective voice for different groups in the community and allow them to respond to the themes of discussion on the Greenwich Partnership. Not only can they be informed about the development of Greenwich but they can have a voice on the partnership to ensure local concerns are considered in the decision making process. Furthermore, different and diverse sections of Greenwich community have the opportunity to network, share and learn from one another. In turn, this will help them to develop a broader understanding and respect for each other thus making Greenwich a richer place to live.