Crediton International Social and Cultural Organisation (CISCO), aims not only to help migrant workers and their families with encountered difficulties such as language, agency workers, bank accounts, benefits, child care, education, heath and safety, discrimination, housing, rights, police information, volunteering and so on.
It also aims to fill the gap between foreign people and the host community, providing exchanges of knowledge and culture.
Accordingly CISCO has a number of plans and projects.
These include a Drop-in Centre - open for everyone who needs help or practical advice; an International Café - during the Drop-in sessions once a week, with coffee, tea, international cakes.
It is aiming to produce a welcome pack for the Crediton area with information about what is going on in Crediton (public organisations, events), community translation services, sessions for children (drama, painting, craft and other activities) and assist with research for foreign people in the Crediton area, helping with needs, complaints and problems.
A management committee of nine trustees from four different nationalities was elected at the inaugural meeting.
The current membership comprises people from seven different nationalities.
Representatives from the community also attended the reception launch and buffet supper which followed. CISCO has no membership fee and the common language is English.
The drop-in centre runs every second and fourth Friday between 6.30pm and 8.30pm and anyone interested in joining would be welcome to go along.
For further information, or to receive the regular newsletter, contact Aleksandra Mucha on 01363 772274 or Malgorzata Bankowska-Sylla on 07704614025 or email: [email protected]">[email protected] .