Norfolk: Catholic migrant centre wins Queen’s Award

Young artists at the centre

The Rosmini Centre in Wisbech, Norfolk, has won a Queen's Award for its voluntary services assisting incoming migrant families integrate with the local community.

Centre manager Anita Grodkiewicz said: “It’s great, I think it really recognises all the hard work of all the volunteers who have put so much into the centre. The accolade of winning it is nice and it’s nice for the volunteers.

“It’s a community and social centre. People can come and have fun as well as receive support and it’s an opportunity for everyone to integrate with each other. It doesn’t matter what your nationality is, anyone can make use of our services.”

The centre runs activities and classes for all age groups with the aim of helping both new and established families settle in the area. Guidance and support is also provided in a number of languages to help migrant newcomers with things such as tax returns and medical appointments.

Set up in 2007 by the Rosminians, the charity now has more than 120 volunteers and has been working from the Queen’s Road Centre next to Our Lady and St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church since 2009.

It was established as an independent charity and leases the premises from the Church. It was developed with funding from the East of England Development Agency EEDA, contributions from parishioners and other generous benefactors.

The Centre will be presented with it's award - a certificate signed by the Queen and a domed glass crystal - by Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk Richard Jewson on Friday, 6 September 2013.