MINA PATTEL

India


I came to Haringey in 1989 and now I’m the responsible of the Asian Carers Support Group. We help elderly Asian people who can’t express themselves in English to solve their problems and feel cared. These people are carers and thus can have tough moments and need support.
Many of them feel isolated because of the language, so we provide them a place to speak their own language with other people and also we offer them help to communicate in English. We give them a voice. And we are a meeting point for them, as well. They spend their leisure time here playing cards or just exchanging stories. We give them a reason not to stay at home all day long. People’s response, the satisfaction and the happiness they show is what keeps me going.

If you have a problem, as they do with the language, do something to find a solution, never give up.

Haringey is good for elderly people, they would do more for them here than in other boroughs. In a way is good, because you become one.

HADIYA H - SAID

Somalia-Tanzania, married (2 children)

I’m the founder of African Women Welfare Association. We provide help to different African women who come at first to this country and can’t speak English or even read or write. We try to encourage them to leave their homes and come out, so they can integrate to their new society. Our aim now is to work together with other women’s organisations.

The reason why I do this job is because I’m a woman. Where I come from women are not given any chances, they are not equal and they suffer. Since my childhood I was thinking that I should change this situation. Helping women is empowering the family. When you empower the family, you empower society, you empower everybody. And this makes me feel satisfied.

What I like most in Haringey is that you can find people from everywhere in the world, and this makes people in this borough more tolerant.

ELIA DUARTE

Colombia, single

I have been volunteering in La casa de la Salud Hispano Americana for 18 months now. I started a project called ‘Clinica para el adulto sano’ (supported by La Casa de la Salud). We give the Latin American community the chance to have a free health check up and tips to prevent illnesses. A chance to approach to the community and make people feel more cared. Lots of people come from Latin America and don’t speak English so we give them a meeting point here to learn how they can find out about their health. I love to see how people improve their lives with our help, and come after just to say ‘hello’.


I don’t live in Haringey, but I spend a lot of time volunteering here. What I like about it is the big mix of cultures you can find. The problem I see in this area is that they have a lot of health sources but don’t know how to manage with them.

MYRTLE KNUCKLE

Jamaica, widow (2 children, 4 grandchildren)

I was a psychiatric nurse and now I run the Golden Jubilee Project, which used to be residential home, but it is now a centre for people who are isolated to come together and make new friends whilst trying out exciting activities. It is all about people getting together and making friends. It’s nice to know that there is somewhere where lonely people can meet.


I live by what I taught my children. That is, live for something, have a purpose and keep that purpose always in view. Drifting like an helm-less vessel, thou canst never to self be true, half the wrecks that strew life's ocean if some star had been their guide would have now been safely anchored but they drifted with the tide.


I have been living in Haringey since 1973. Many people used to say that it was a miserable borough but I wanted to proof it by myself. I fitted quite well since I came. The members of my local Anglican Church here were very friendly, they accepted me with open hands, and that made me feel at home. There is special warmth in Haringey. I think you can make yourself very happy here.

ANDREA BEBIN

Cuba, married (2 children)

I came to London 7 years ago now, and since then I have been volunteering in Casa de la Salud Hispano Americana as a medical assistant. I graduated as a doctor in Cuba.

This association acts as a link between the patients and the GPs. We help people with their requirements related to health issues. People come to us because they need help with their English and because they feel more confident here, as they are able to explain themselves better. Or sometimes they just need somebody to listen to them. Quite often doctors don’t have enough time to pay as much attention as they wished to their patients.

For me this is an enriching job, not only because I help other people, but because I can develop my skills as a doctor, too. Besides I feel how grateful our patients are to us and feel that they are learning with the habits we try to teach them.

People in Haringey are really nice, they help you too with anything you may require.

RACHAEL SHANKAR

England, 39, married (4 children)

I’ m director of Choices Haringey, an association to help young pregnant women. I believe that many decisions are made without thinking deeply about them, so we try to provide a place for advice and information when somebody full of doubts comes in. Our volunteers give the girls a place where they can feel cared, where they can be calm and take their time to choose what is best for them.

We also would like to get involved in educational programs and schools, in order to show the girls what the options are. Everybody needs to be aware of the consequences to our actions.

Haringey is a fantastic area. I love the fact that you walk down the road and you can hear different languages from all over the world.

CLAUDIA QUINTERO

Colombia, 37 years old, married (2 children)


I came to England only four months ago and have been two months volunteering in Casa de la Salud Hispano Americana. We help Hispano American people who have just arrived to this country and speak little English. They usually need some advice with the organisation of their medical issues or just need to go to the doctor. I used to work as a secretary in my country so I help with administrative tasks once a week.

At the same time that I am helping other people, this job helps me too. Because it brings fresh air to my daily life, I meet new people and I develop my professional career, as well.

In this short period of time I feel that Haringey is a busy borough, lots of people walking down the streets and has a deep multicultural nature, which gives diversity to the area. In Haringey, for example, I can find Colombian shops that are nowhere else in London.