Top award presented to special PKAVS project
Perth’s minority communities hub is recognised
PKAVS is celebrating after winning a national award for helping those from a migrant or minority ethnic background with their finances.
The minority communities hub at the local charity was presented with the impact in financial inclusion prize at the national CEMVO [Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations] Ethnic Minority Impact Awards on Friday, November 17.
The team at the hub, based in the city centre, was recognised for its financial wellbeing project, Money Matters, and was the recipient of a commemorative plaque – as well as extra training to help continue its work giving financial advice.
The project, which has been running since 2014 and is funded by Comic Relief, aims to make those from ethnic minority communities feel confident about money management, and help them access services when they are in financial difficulty.
It also aims to help the community understand their welfare rights and helps them to take active steps in managing their own finances, as well as helping those living in rural, isolated communities access information on money management.
Mohammed Afzal, manager at the PKAVS minority communities hub, said: “We are humbled to have been given this award. The success of the project is due to the dedication of staff both past and present, who have worked tirelessly to deliver this project over the past three years.
“It is the privilege of the minority communities hub to serve ethnic minority communities of Perth and Kinross.”
Mr Afzal continued: “This project is particularly close to our hearts at the minority communities hub, due to its importance to the community. Research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has shown that people from ethnic minority backgrounds are more likely to be unemployed, more likely to live below the poverty line, and more likely to be in need of support to manage their finances.
“This support makes a huge difference to the lives of our clients, going beyond financial wellbeing to impact their mental and even physical health.”
The Money Matters project has already been able to reduce debt for ethnic minority people in Perth and Kinross by £200,000, working with more than 1500 clients from the community through oneto
The PKAVS team at the CEMVO Ethnic Minority Impact Awards on-one and group sessions to help the community support themselves financially.
A spokesperson for the awards said: “The Ethnic Minority Impact awards recognise individuals or organisations that have contributed to Scottish society or made a difference to their community locally or nationally.
“The awards are administered by CEMVO Scotland and the judging panel consists of external representation from the sector and sponsors and partners. The awards honour individuals or organisations that have made a significant impact in 15 different areas.”