Background

Integration Lincolnshire, (IL), has grown from the realisation early in 2004 that many migrant workers from the EU and elsewhere, a large number of whom are working and resident in the Boston area, were needing assistance, advice and care.

They were having great difficulty in meeting their housing, health, interpreting, legal, educational and child care needs. In addition it was realised that misunderstanding, rumour and latent racism in certain sectors of the local indigenous population was leading to an explosive and long term racist situation unless something positive was done.

Over the last 12 months individuals and representatives of local voluntary and statutory bodies plus commercial interests, have spent much time, effort, and thought in developing the original idea of a "supportive drop-in centre". Research and networking revealed that much more was needed. Furthermore existing voluntary care and statutory bodies were already working with new arrival communities (NAC), as were commercial enterprises in the agricultural and food and drink industries.

Duplication and competition were and still are definitely not needed.

Co-operation

What was and is needed is a co-operative organisation (made up of representative members) that can support the work of voluntary and statutory bodies and thus meet not only the needs of migrant communities but also assist in the their integration and acceptance in and by the local Lincolnshire community. It was realised that the best vehicle to bring this about was to form and register a company limited by guarantee . Such a company would also be better able to bid for and obtain larger grants and monies than individual bodies bidding on their own behalf.

Huge goodwill and participation has come from representatives of the Anglo-Portuguese Society, Boston Borough Council, Boston Chamber of Commerce, Boston Citizens' Advice Bureau, East Lincs Primary Care, the Food and Drink Forum, Lincolnshire Police and South Holland District Council, to name but a few.

Developments

Matters have moved on apace since January 2005. A mission statement plus priorities for 2005/06 have been agreed. The Company, "Integration Lincolnshire", has been registered at Company House. Grants have been obtained to finance the development of the nascent Company. All of the above representatives and others have indicated that their organisations wish to become Members of the Company. As part of its Masterplan, Boston Borough Council has named Integration Lincolnshire as a lead agency in its delivery of services to Guest Workers [migrant workers] and the building of an international centre is also being considered.

We are now at the formal stage after a long period of consultation and development. Completing a membership document qualifies those so shown to participate in the democratic process of now electing a full complement of Directors and a Board. This will enable the Company to begin operations and make a practical difference to the immigrant worker situation in Lincolnshire.

We do want your agency to be involved and fully engaged in this unique venture.

Should there be any issues regarding legalities and liabilities or if you have any queries regarding Integration Lincolnshire's, structure, aims, proposed activities etc., then either Alan Robson, {alanjrobson@lincagriculture.co.uk} or Ian Pepperdine, {ipepperdine@lincoln.coop} our business consultant, are willing to attend any management board meeting or meet individual managers to clarify matters.