0:00:16 > 0:00:20Hello, and welcome to Lifeline. Today we've another busy programme.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23We're going as far away as a unique Nepalese village
0:00:23 > 0:00:27on the outskirts of Belfast, where children learn about different cultures.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31And we're on an autumn garden clear-up with Men United,
0:00:31 > 0:00:36a special activity group for men over 55.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40But our first appeal today comes from the Embrace charity,
0:00:40 > 0:00:44which works to make Northern Ireland a more welcoming place
0:00:44 > 0:00:48for migrant workers, refugees and asylum seekers.
0:00:50 > 0:00:55You may have noticed that there are many more people from other countries living here now.
0:00:55 > 0:01:00It can be a daunting experience, especially if you don't speak the language well.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02I've been a migrant as well.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06At the tender age of 17, I found myself in unfamiliar territory,
0:01:06 > 0:01:09looking for a welcome and a connection with the locals.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12For many, migration is a positive experience,
0:01:12 > 0:01:16and they're able to build a new life and become part of the community.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20This has been the case for Aneta from Poland.
0:01:20 > 0:01:25Starting a new life in a new country can be exciting, challenging
0:01:25 > 0:01:27and hard at the same time.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30When I came seven years ago,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33I didn't know English very well.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37I couldn't speak and hardly understood anything.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40But I have found here very nice people
0:01:40 > 0:01:44with big hearts and open minds.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48A local charity gave me a lot of encouragement and support.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51For me, Northern Ireland is a good place to live.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55You can make a big difference by just saying a simple hello
0:01:55 > 0:01:57to your new neighbours.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09We came in Northern Ireland about a year ago.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11It was quite difficult in the beginning,
0:02:11 > 0:02:14especially the language barrier
0:02:14 > 0:02:18and we experienced many difficulties to settle,
0:02:18 > 0:02:22and to understand the places and everything.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24It was very difficult to find work.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26Especially...
0:02:26 > 0:02:31We received our permission a few months after we came.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35And after that, it took ages to get it.
0:02:35 > 0:02:40So it's very difficult to find musician's work,
0:02:40 > 0:02:42and any kind of work.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48We found a local church here and this helped us very much.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50They took care of us at every level.
0:02:50 > 0:02:56They helped us with the documents, they helped us with every information we needed.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58They helped us in our daily needs.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02And, um, this was very good for us
0:03:02 > 0:03:04and it helped us to survive those months.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14For a small number of people, their experience here is difficult.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18In these tough times, migrants, like locals, can lose their jobs.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21Unfortunately, some migrant workers find themselves
0:03:21 > 0:03:25with no entitlement to benefits or even a bed in a homeless shelter.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29For some, the best move is to return to their home country,
0:03:29 > 0:03:33but for others, short-term support can get them back on their feet
0:03:33 > 0:03:37and into work here, with the help of the Embrace charity.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40Embrace is a Christian organisation, whose main role
0:03:40 > 0:03:44is making this a more welcoming place to people from other countries
0:03:44 > 0:03:47and different minority ethnic backgrounds.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51We also raise awareness about the challenges faced by migrants
0:03:51 > 0:03:57and, where necessary, you know, providing practical needs.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01Before...it was an Italian factory...
0:04:01 > 0:04:05Embrace networks with a range of homeless support organisations
0:04:05 > 0:04:10and minority ethnic support groups. Embrace On The Street offers a positive response
0:04:10 > 0:04:16through donation and distribution of clothing, bedding, toiletries and foodstuffs to those on the street
0:04:16 > 0:04:18and in hostels, both local and migrant people.
0:04:21 > 0:04:22The Embrace Emergency Fund
0:04:22 > 0:04:25supports people in short-term accommodation
0:04:25 > 0:04:29and pays for flights home for people who might become destitute.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34They helped us with emergency accommodation,
0:04:34 > 0:04:39and they designed a very good leaflet to welcome us to Belfast,
0:04:39 > 0:04:43to give to our members, so we know exactly where to go for help.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52'Many of us have family who have gone abroad.'
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Embrace provides the support we hope they would get
0:04:55 > 0:04:57if they found themselves in trouble.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00If this coming winter is as severe as the last,
0:05:00 > 0:05:03there's a significant risk of more people suffering on our streets.
0:05:03 > 0:05:10Your donation, however small, can make a big difference to someone's life. Thank you for your support.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14If you'd like to help Embrace fund their work, use our online donation form.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20Or send a cheque to...
0:05:25 > 0:05:28You can visit the charity's website...
0:05:30 > 0:05:32The Beyond Skin charity uses music and art
0:05:32 > 0:05:38as a form of cultural education to address issues such as racism and sectarianism.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41But the charity recently brought a taste of Nepal
0:05:41 > 0:05:43to Whiteabbey Community Centre.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46In Nepal, they dye a little red streak in their hair,
0:05:46 > 0:05:50which I think is brilliant - it makes things simpler.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52You can tell right away she's married.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55Supported by Newtonabbey Borough Council, Beyond Skin
0:05:55 > 0:05:58had a lively audience of children keen to find out
0:05:58 > 0:06:01about life on the other side of the world.
0:06:04 > 0:06:05< Namaste, amma.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10'We built tents to represent huts in Nepal,
0:06:10 > 0:06:14'and we teach the kids how kids in Nepal live during the day.'
0:06:14 > 0:06:18So they'll collect water, wood for the fire, get dinner,
0:06:18 > 0:06:20make bracelets to sell at market.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22The idea is to teach the kids what it's like
0:06:22 > 0:06:27to live in a culture where you can't just go home and play your PlayStation.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29They experience a different kind of life.
0:06:29 > 0:06:34I've learned a lot today - how to make their little bracelets
0:06:34 > 0:06:36and things, and how, like,
0:06:36 > 0:06:40small their houses are compared to ours and stuff.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Well, I've learned that they don't have electric or anything like that.
0:06:44 > 0:06:50I've learned the language that they're speaking in Nepal.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52SINGING
0:06:56 > 0:06:58That looked like a lot of fun.
0:06:58 > 0:06:59Now, when some men retire,
0:06:59 > 0:07:02they can feel isolated and their health can suffer.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05But Men United are a group of mature men
0:07:05 > 0:07:09who are determined to get the best out of life.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19'It gets you out of the house. I live alone and it gets me out the house.'
0:07:19 > 0:07:22If you were stuck in the house on your own,
0:07:22 > 0:07:24looking at four walls all day, it'd drive you nuts.
0:07:24 > 0:07:29It helps men to come out, to be together, to get away together.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35'Volunteer Now looked at older people and the work we do with them,
0:07:35 > 0:07:38'and realised that older men don't engage.
0:07:38 > 0:07:43'They don't join in. They seem to retire, fade into the armchair.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46'And that's a problem, especially with social isolation
0:07:46 > 0:07:49'and loneliness and maybe depression.'
0:07:49 > 0:07:50So we got some men together
0:07:50 > 0:07:55and they came up with the name Men United, and it's grown and grown.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58'We go to races, we go to dog meetings...'
0:07:58 > 0:08:03We do have a lot of learning - we go to cultural issues as well.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05And, you know, it's a win/win.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08'Come and join us. It'll change your life.'
0:08:12 > 0:08:16I've just time to say we've been inundated with items for our Community Noticeboard.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20So we've made a list of events on Ceefax page 619.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23You'll also find today's contact details.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26They're also on our website...
0:08:29 > 0:08:34Upcoming events from the BBC Writer in Residence at Queen's series,
0:08:34 > 0:08:36which recently featured Sir Mark Tully,
0:08:36 > 0:08:42will soon include journalists Peter Riddell, Sir Peter Stothard and Quentin Letts.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44And comedy, politics,
0:08:44 > 0:08:48religion and local writers are included in a new series
0:08:48 > 0:08:52of illustrated talks from BBC Northern Ireland's Community Archive.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Book tickets for both events through...
0:08:58 > 0:09:03So that's it from a busy Lifeline. I'll see you next time.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:09:06 > 0:09:08Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk