Forth Valley Migrant Support Network

Forth Valley Migrant Support Network (F.M.S) has been established to address the problems of disenfranchised migrants whose first language is not English. F.M.S. is staffed and has been organized by volunteers involving different nationalities. The difficulties faced by us all when we come across an automated telephone service are magnified ten-fold if you are not a U.K citizen. Important paperwork is impeded slowing down people`s settlement and security in the U.K. Online savings in things such as insurance, travel and utilities can become a nightmare for anyone. You do not have to be a migrant to access help. We would aid any elderly locals to our office needing face to face help with telephone or internet.

At F.M.S. we will advocate on behalf of all migrants. We will perform searches aiding people to take advantage of those savings some of us take for granted. We will give continuity of service. We will help migrants to know the local community, understand their entitlements and responsibilities to enable them to play a full part in the diverse Forth Valley area. We believe that aid with form filling, telephone calls and internet searches will help migrants to become settled quickly, effectively and stop them breaking the new laws they are now faced with.

Our website has been designed to be a "one stop shop" to a new migrant as well as established. Links to government agencies, embassies and other useful websites appear on our links page. We will promote any new migrant business on our business page as well as information about employers that are migrant friendly. Our volunteers will increase our network forging partnerships with agencies that promote the integration of migrants to the area.

Some of our committee members with Provost Pat Reid and Michael Connarty MP

Meet the team

Alan/ Chair

My relevant background is in the trade union movement and I was proud to serve on Falkirk Council.Married to Stanislava, her coming to Scotland gave me 1st hand experience of what its really like for a migrant worker coming to the U.K - I have attended courses including Health & Safety 1+2 , Workplace Rep 1+2 , Employment Law , New Management Techniques and Equality to name a few. As a councillor I sat on many committee's such as Planning , Community Health & Safety and Education as well as outside bodies Fire Board & Cornton Vale Prison Visiting Committee. I was born in Grangemouth and I have one son Jonathon who is 21 and doing his degree in International Trade and Commerce. My belief is that people coming here to work are not being represented in a proper manner and certainly misrepresented in media. Everyone should have a voice and I believe that what we are trying to achieve at F.M.S. will aid people that we have a duty of care to.

Diane/ Executive Committee Member

Introducing Diane, In many ways our inspiration behind getting FMS formed quickly. Diane is charismatic and always full of joy. Any organization like ours comes across bureaucracy in many shapes and forms Diane in her positive delivery keeps us driving on. Diane is our motivator and is available to any company or organization that needs a dynamic speaker & confidence builder. Diane also teaches belly dancing and teaches groups to make "Persona dolls". Diane has been a key worker in many areas of community capacity building. We are just so glad that she is part of the team. Diane`s "Persona dolls" have been used by professional groups to facilitate confronting racism and social inequalities without drawing attention to any individual that the topic may involve. A persona Doll workshop provides a chance to discuss issues pertinent to your specific situation while making a doll. Diane epitomises everything we aspire to achieve at FMS her integration through understanding and learning other cultures through community workshops and with her enthusiasm of the subject can only be an asset to the people of Forth Valley.

Stanislava/ Secretary

I came to live with my husband in Scotland from Bulgaria January2007. My background is in education. I have 12 years relevant experience as a college teacher working with multi-cultural youths. Since coming to Scotland I have qualified as a C.E.L.T.A tutor and worked as a translator as well as various volunteer jobs within the migrant support sector. My arrival in Scotland seemed straight forward, but I quickly realized that the support was not there even though it might have been perceived that way. English as a second language no matter how good you are still has difficulties when you are trying to apply for things like a driving licence or calling a doctors surgery never mind social and welfare issues. I know at F.M.S. we can build a one stop shop for migrant support.

Joanna/ Treasurer

I came to FMS seeking help and advice. I quickly realized that the group was filling a gap and giving real hands on help to migrants to the area. When some clients were having difficulty explaining the problems they were facing i was able to translate and Alan quickly enrolled me as a volunteer translator. At the first AGM i was honoured to be asked to become treasurer. Being part of the FMS has taught me new skills and enhanced existing ones. Being part of FMS is like having an extended family that realy have integrated me into the community.

Kaja/ Committee Member

Since my arrival in the UK I have continued my studies and I am now a recognized Polish professional translator. Working with FMS has let me support my fellow country men & women that are having difficulty integrating into their local communities. Our volunteers have a relaxed but professional manner that allows people that are struggling with the establishment to be at ease with situations they may have found themselves in through no real fault of their own. I consider my time volunteering at FMS as important as my professional work and I will continue supporting the committee in its endeavours to stop exclusion through lack of English language.