Community Interpreting Translation and Access Services - CITAS - celebrated their 10th anniversary

5.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 8th Jul 2009

Malika Hamiddou at CITAS AGM

Merlene congratulated CITAS at their AGM on 8th July. She hailed the success of the organisation as an example of sheer grit and triumph of the immigrant communities working behind the organisation.

Despite cuts in funding to the charity (which provides invaluable interpreting and translation services within the borough) as well as recent rises in the rental of their premises at Palingswick House, 241 King Street, CITAS has managed not only to survive but thrive.

"I believe that CITAS has a huge role to play and is a great inspiration for us all, especially those from migrant communities. It has grown in the last 10 years under the able leadership of Malika Hamiddou, its General Manager and has outreach programmes for so many different communities with their rich heritage, culture and languages."

"Whilst we agree that all migrants will need to learn to speak English, it will always take time to master a foreign language. In the meanwhile it is important that immigrants and asylum seekers should still be able to access services and be able to contribute to their host country via support in both translation and interpretation services" said Merlene.

At the AGM following an open day at Palingswick House with debates, forum and taster sessions in different languages, Merlene asked the panel how they saw their future with the Council's cuts in funding and proposed plans to redevelop the site and was cheered to hear the reply that they will fight on and were there to stay.

Palingswick House currently houses a number of other charities including the Iranian and Iraqi Associations and the Kurdish Museum. It was formerly a home for deprived children in 1933, a remand home 1944-48 and as a home for educationally sub-normal girls 1948-54. The name changed to Palingswick House in 1948 and was subsequently gifted to the GLC, now under the stewardship of H&F Council. The Lib Dems are researching on whether the Council should be allowed to take back possession of the premises and to sell or redevelop the historic buildings with private developers.