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mojatu .com
News & Sports
The VOscars 2016: A letter reporting on
the successes of a new celebration of
Nottingham’s massive volunteer cohort.
By Barbara Spreiz, NNRF Volunteer Coordinator
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum
is a volunteer-led charity working with and for
refugees and asylum seekers in our local area. Our
specialised advice, support and educational services
are supported by 150 active volunteers, and in order
to fully appreciate their passion and dedication, on
3 rd June 2016 Refugee Forum celebrated The VOscars!
The VOscar (“Volunteer Oscar”) ceremony was the
highlight of celebrating the national volunteering
week at Refugee Forum.
The idea for a celebration of volunteering and
highlighting the personal achievements of some of the
most outstanding Refugee Forum volunteers, came
from Barbara Spreiz, the volunteer Co-ordinator at the
Refugee Forum. On that day, the volunteers shone in
the spotlight, and their contributions were applauded
by fellow volunteers, staff members, trustees, and
other guests in attendance.
Prior to the actual event, Refugee Forum staff members
were tasked with nominating the volunteers in nine
categories. Eventually, everyone at Refugee Forum,
including service users and volunteers themselves,
could vote for their favourite volunteers in these
categories, as well as nominate a volunteer of their
personal choice.
The evening of the VOscars was complete with a red
carpet, glittery decorations and, of course, the little
golden statues. We were honoured by the presence of
Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Mr Mohammed Saghir and
Lilian Greenwood, Labour MP for Nottingham South,
as well as our partners from the Red Cross Refugee
Services and Mojatu Magazine. The presenters
delivered a heartfelt tribute to our volunteers and
handed out VOscar statues to the winners of each
category. Each and every volunteer was personally
thanked and received a certificate of appreciation. The
evening concluded with food, photos and delightful
mingling.
We are already looking forward to the 2017 edition of
the VOscars, hopefully bigger, better and even more
glamorous. Most of all, we continue to praise the
achievements of our current volunteers, and warmly
welcome those who will join us in the future. We are
doing our best to ensure a rewarding experience for
our volunteers, and provide excellent volunteer-led
services to refugees and asylum seekers in Nottingham.
FREE, weekly football sessions
for men over-18 seeking refuge
in Nottingham
Every Tuesday - 10am until 12pm
The Brendon Lawrence Centre,
Hungerhill Road, St Ann’s
(just off Woodborough Road)
The project aims to help participants:
stay fit and healthy
meet new people
reduce their social isolation
play football with FITC’s friendly, experienced coaches
Asylum seekers and refugees are welcome to turn up
and join in with the sessions. If you know anybody who
would benefit from this great project, please help us
raise awareness by telling them about it
For more information
please contact project lead,
Ian Richardson
0115 905 5896
www.nottscountyfitc.org.uk