Member Article

Teesside refugee charity bridging the cultural gap

A refugee charity in Middlesbrough has been celebrating the launch of its new community kitchen.

Investing in People and Culture (IPC) is a registered charity focusing on the social inclusion of vulnerable migrant, refugee and minority ethnic groups on Teesside. The project helps people to access education and training – including learning English as a Second Language – and building on existing skills and experience to adjust to life within a new community. The project has been supported by North Star Housing Group, which includes Endeavour and Teesdale Housing Associations, since March 2014.

IPC Trustee Bini Araia said: “The IPC Community Kitchen represents a fusion of two other projects – the Community Growing Project in Albert Park and Cultures Cooking Together. It allows people from different countries and backgrounds to work together to share knowledge and skills in growing and cooking food. As well as the more obvious benefits to health and bringing cultures together, the project also positively contributes to the local community.

“Since the IPC was set up we’ve been overwhelmed by the help and support from local Teessiders. We’d like to thank community partners, including North Star, for their support.”

North Star’s Community Investment Officer Peter Locke said: “The aim of the IPC is to build strong relations between vulnerable migrant communities and the local community in Middlesbrough, dispelling negative myths about asylum seekers and enabling people to integrate into British society. The Community Kitchen project will further help the migrant and existing British community in Middlesbrough to work together to keep our North East communities strong.”

For more information about Investing in People and Culture, or to become a volunteer, visit: www.i-p-c.org or contact info@i-p-c.org or 01642 232 642

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by North Star Housing Group .