Information for Tester Groups

Thank you very much for expressing an interest in being one of the tester groups for the SRC/SCDC Organised For Integration Programme

What is the purpose of the project?

The aim of the project is to create online help and advice about how community groups can be more effective and to create tools such as worksheets, checklists and other training materials which help help build the strengths of your organisations to take effective action to benefit your community. 

Sometimes this kind of work is known as community capacity building. Our short animation explains what community capacity means . The online tools and resources we will create together  can be used by groups, either on your own, or with the support of others like community workers. 

Who is the project for?

The work is for Refugee led community organisations or refugee supporting groups.

What  do we need from you?

You are one of  three  groups who  will work  alongside an experienced community development worker from Scottish Community Development Centre to help us test out the tools we think can help you to be more  organised and effective.   We are describing these groups as our tester groups.

This will involve between  four and  six development sessions with your committee and/or your staff. The sessions may take place online and the exact number  will depend  on what you think you can manage.  

There will also be a session with the other two tester groups to share experience  on testing  the tools. As part of the work all groups who participate will produce their own  development plan with clear actions for their own organisation for the future.

Why we chose your organisation as one the Tester Groups

We can’t do the detailed testing work with lots of groups at the same time. This is why  we have asked your groups to  help test and refine  the tools and materials. We have not advertised this opportunity widely. We have identified groups who meet specific criteria in discussion with the SRC. These are:

·       Your group has  an existing relationship with SRC Communities Team

·       You have a committee and a reasonable number of committee members.  We think at  least five are  needed to be effective and they should be willing to attend all meetings.

·       You are interested in helping us develop useful tools and materials for community organisations

·       We are trying to work with groups committed to involving their wider community eg including, men women, young people etc. We have tried to reflect this in our choice of tester groups selected.

Will the sessions take place online or face to face?

Our first learning exchange is our launch event on Tuesday 15th March and will take place online. The second learning exchange will take place in early autumn and will also take place online.

For group meetings, it is most likely that most, if not all, sessions will take place online, although we will consider face to face options, dependent on COVID restrictions, location of participants and what would work best for your group. The sessions will take place between March and September, subject to Ramadan, school holidays and again, what works best for the members of your group.

Will I be reimbursed for expenses?

Yes, we can provide reasonable expenses for participants if we do meet face to face. This could include some help with things like travel expenses.  We are also looking at how we can support your groups with the costs of data if the sessions are online. 

Can you provide interpreters?

Yes, we can provide interpreters, if necessary, by prior arrangement. 

Can you provide childcare?

We cannot provide childcare for online meetings. However, if any of the meetings were to take place face to face, we would consider any childcare needs and do our best to help.

Do I need to have IT skills and to be able to access meetings and materials online?

The majority of meetings, will be online. Therefore it is important that you have a digital device and are able to join online meetings. 

Lots of us have been forced to move online to keep in touch with people during the pandemic. We also know that many people forced to flee persecution have had to do this to keep family and other social connections going.

If you are already using things like zoom you will have the IT skills you need to participate.  We can support you to take part in the online sessions and make them interesting and useful.   If you have any concerns or IT needs, then please contact us and we will do our best to help. Email mick.doyle@scdc.org.uk or speak to your contact in the Scottish Refugee Council Communities Team.