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Swindon’s safe harbour from danger and persecution
Imagine what it would be like if war or persecution or natural disaster were to befall us here in the UK - and that as a result you had to leave your
home and family and all that is familiar to you, and flee to another part of the world in hope of refuge, writes Heather Redington.
Such a possibility is mercifully old church hall in central Swindon volunteers. Being a volunteer is im-
remote for us here in Great Britain, provides a drop-in centre for asylum mensely rich and rewarding. Tasks
but sadly more and more common in seekers and refugees. They come from can range from making a cup of tea
troubled parts of the world, as we see many of the most war torn parts of for a new visitor, sorting out a dona-
in daily news reports. the world such as Eritrea, Sudan, Iran, tion of clothes and toys, or calling the
Contrary to what the media would Iraq, and most recently from Syria. Home Office on behalf of a desperate
have us believe, most refugees remain The Harbour is a friendly meet- visitor whose tiny subsistence money
close to their land of origin, in camps ing place and an important source has been cut off by bureaucratic error.
or cities. Only a few reach the UK. of advice and help for its visitors in I’ve been a volunteer for three years
And of these few, some are here in navigating the complexities of life in and have found that, in spite of the
Swindon, which has been designated this new land. Asylum seekers are not suffering and losses endured by our
a dispersal town, a place to which allowed to work, and instead have to visitors, the Harbour is a haven of care
Mohamed Abdo talking about his asylum seekers are despatched to await survive on a tiny amount of money in and hope. Where else in Wiltshire can
experience at June’s Harbour Project the outcome of their application to very basic accommodation. I meet and make friends with people
End Destitution Conference which
was addressed by South Swindon MP stay in this country. As a very small charity The Har- from all over the world?
Robert Buckland The Harbour Project, housed in an bour relies heavily on its team of If you feel drawn to helping the
Harbour, there are many possibilities.
Denied entry Donations of adult and children’s
clothes, children’s toys, and household
Unfortunately Molifa Daffeh, headteacher of Pirang goods are always put to good use,
School in Gambia, could not make a second visit to financial donations can help fund
partner schools at Peatmoor Primary School and a children’s day trip, or a duvet for
Lydiard Park Academy, because of visa problems. someone who has just set up home.
Molifa visited Swindon in 2013 and earlier this And most rewarding and valuable
year Peatmoor teacher Sarah Adams and colleague is to become a volunteer yourself. To
Helen Bissex went to Gambia with five Lydiard find out more, call Giles or Nan or
Park Academy teachers. The partnership project is Annie on 01793 611682 or 490876
funded by the British Council connecting classroom or mail: [email protected]
programme. Subject to grants Lydiard Park Academy Lydiard Park Academy Year 10 students with Molifa Daffeh in 2013, harbourproject.org.uk
6th form students hope to visit Pirang in 2015. from left, Chantelle Carter, Francesca Butler, Christin Simpson

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Advice for small businesses

I’m worried in case I miss something
off my Self-Assessment Tax
Return? What happens if I do?

Well make sure you don’t! Read the form & guidance!
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Mistakes I have seen recently:
Someone who didn’t include their big profit on the sale of
a buy-to-let property.
Others who thought, because their foreign income was
taxed abroad, it didn’t need to go on a tax return
People earning over £50,000, who are unaware that to
avoid a miscalculation they must include their child
Ends 30 September 2014 benefit on the Return.
Getting a new business of the ground or Employees commonly don’t know whether pension
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10 swindonlink.com • September 2014

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