A CONFERENCE was held ‘On Driving in the UK’ for 28 Ukrainian refugees living in Cumbria on Mitzvah Day (November 20).
People across Cumbria joined more than 40,000 volunteers worldwide for Mitzvah Day, a Jewish-led initiative seeking to strengthen relationships between other faith and non-faith groups where people give their time - not their money - carrying out hands-on social action activities side-by-side, benefitting their local communities.
The event took place at the University of Cumbria campus in Carlisle, in which places were taken up predominantly by women with young children who, due to the war, have fled the Ukraine and found themselves living in remote rural areas of Cumbria.
In order to make it possible for the women to attend, a creche was organised and sponsored by the local rotary club.
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The conference concentrated on teaching the Highway Code, driving safely and providing assistance to delegates on how to exchange their Ukrainian driving licence for a UK licence, under the exchange agreement between the UK and Ukraine.
The conference was led by commander George Cairns, (an IAM Roadsmart examiner) and a team of advanced driving instructors and IAM members who generously donated their time.
George Cairns said: “The Minutes for Miles programme offers the refugees a gateway to employment and social mobility that would otherwise be denied. We have seen through this programme that it provides the refugees with tremendous confidence in themselves, and their ability to overcome many hurdles with the English language. Teaching them is humbling.”
The conference was organised by Abigail Mann, who started running award-winning Mitzvah Day activities in Cumbria in 2017.
During the first Covid lockdown Abigail set up the Minutes for Miles Programme, whose team is made up of driving instructors, as well as coaches from Carlisle and West Cumbria Advanced Motorists. They started by teaching English driving vocabulary and theory to resettled refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.
One refugee who has passed her test through the Minute for Miles programme said: "Life before passing my driving test was too difficult. With help from Minutes for Miles, I learnt the UK’s Road rules and passed my driving test, which was difficult. I now feel happy and safe and I can now go to the supermarkets, parks and travel even to Manchester. I plan to visit more cities in the UK.”
Adrienne Gill, Development Officer with Carlisle One World Centre which runs Carlisle Refugee Action Group, said: “CRAG is delighted to have taken part in this innovative project to help Ukrainian refugees develop their driving skills and ran their own Mitzvah Day events this year as part of their ongoing interest in inter-faith communication and activity.”
The programme is well on the way to its 20th pass, with four members of the Minutes for Miles team delivering the conference.
Alla Stoica, Ukrainian translator who donated her time to translate at the conference said: "It is overwhelming to think how many people donated their time to make this event happen. Due to the war, Ukrainian refugees had to leave everything behind them and start from scratch in a different country.
"Being able to drive will make a huge difference to them, particularly to those who live in rural locations. It will increase their chances of employment and will help prevent social isolation. An ability to drive simply opens more doors, creates more opportunities and makes life just a bit easier. Once more - huge thank you!”
Adrienne Gill, development officer with Carlisle One World Centre which runs Carlisle Refugee Action Group, said: "CRAG is delighted to have taken part in this innovative project to help Ukrainian refugees develop their driving skills and ran their own Mitzvah Day events this year as part of their ongoing interest in inter-faith communication and activity.”
Other Mitzvah Day events included Carlisle One World Centre (COWC), together with Churches Together organising an interfaith meal for Mitzvah Day. Reverend Canon Jim Hyslop, Co-Chair of COWC, was joined by Rev David Newlove and members of the Mosque in Carlisle and Rabbi Jeff Berger (who spoke to them remotely) at a multicultural and interfaith bring and share meal.
There is also an ongoing clothes collection for the asylum seekers currently accommodated in hotels across Cumbria.
Anyone wishing to donate jumpers, jeans or trousers, skirts and jackets or coats to male and female asylum seekers staying in Cumbria can send or deliver them to Mitzvah Day Clothes Collection, Carlisle Refugee Action Group, Carlisle Enterprise Centre on James Street, or in the reception area of Carlisle Civic Centre (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm).
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