Community Interpreting Translation and Access Services - CITAS - celebrated their 10th anniversary (Hammersmith and Fulham Liberal Democrats)

Hammersmith and Fulham Liberal Democrats <info@hflibdems.org.uk>

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

July 7, 2009 5:00 PM
Originally published by Merlene Emerson - Your First Choice for London

Merlene congratulated CITAS at their recent AGM and hailed the success of the organisation after a decade 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 charged by the Council of their premises at 241 Palingswick House, CITAS has managed to not only survive but thrive.

"I believe that CITAS has as 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 old Victorian building 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; used as a remand home 1944-48, as a home for educationally sub-normal girls 1948-54 and as a home for diabetic children since 1954. The name changed to Palingswick House in 1948 and was gifted to the GLC to provide subsidised accommodation to charitable groups. The Lib Dems are researching on whether the Council should be allowed to take back possession of the premises and sell or redevelop the historic buildings with private developers.