About
Tamil Relief Centre
The centre provides advice, information and advocacy in immigration, social welfare areas, health and education and training for adults in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), literacy, numeracy, information technology at National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) Level 1, 2 and 3, supplementary classes for school going children, women's outreach, women's forum, elders' luncheon meetings, elders' drop in and a crèche.
Ever since the major race riots broke out in 1983 in Sri Lanka, people have sought refuge in the United Kingdom. Most asylum seekers and refugees settled in the Greater London area. It is currently estimated that 150,000 Tamils live in London.
So many Tamils have made outstanding contributions to London in many areas such as business, medicine, engineering, education, law, sports, science, music, art and media. They have contributed a great deal to London's economy.
By recording the contributions and achievements of individuals of our community, the oral history project of the Tamil Relief Centre, could contribute to create what would become a historical record that would be taken into account by historians, researchers, policy makers, and the public. The outstanding contributions and achievements of the refugees of our community would contribute considerably to combat negative media coverage and to inspire, educate and change people's perspectives. This in turn would pave the way for improved race relations in this country.
