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Volunteer stories |
 Safeguarding Lead Lucile We were intrigued to find out a bit more about Lucile Bertolaso-Scarlett, our new Safeguarding Lead, so our social media coordinator Helen interviewed her below. Lucile talks about her background, outlook, what brought her to volunteer with Herts Welcomes Refugees and the importance of safeguarding: I see from your website that you are an architectural designer. What does this involve and what are your main interests in these areas? I have practised architecture for about ten years now. I design buildings, collaborate with engineers, liaise with clients and planners to develop schemes that contribute to the urbanscape as sustainably as possible given all the stakeholders. What projects have you worked on? The projects I have worked on in this current role have been data centres exclusively. Coming from Belgium, my degree in architecture was not recognised as equivalent to the Architects Registration Board approved degree. For that reason, I decided to study again part-time in London, and although it was a real challenge, being a full-time mum and employee, I loved it. I enjoyed exploring my creativity, analysing case studies and exchanging with other students and tutors. So much so that I'm planning on studying some more soon! And unexpectedly, all this work led to an award for my final project! I see you studied in Brussels so is your first language French? I wondered whether this has given you a different perspective on living and working in different countries? Well, I was born in Belgium, to a British dad and French mum. I grew up in a bilingual family and had friends from all over Europe. I was exposed to many European cultures. I have never really felt like a country was home. I have come to realise that people, friends and family, make my home. To this day, I feel European more than anything. I would say my perspective on living and working in new countries is different to those who have never left home or never spoken a different language. Your profile lists your interests as architecture, nature, food and travelling. Do say a little bit more about these! I grew up in a family where we show love with food and making things for the people we care about. Art and food equally can make your soul travel. My dad is a jazz saxophonist, his sisters are singers, his mum was a professional singer in London. My mother is a multifaceted maker, making clothes, paintings, and growing food in the garden, making her own bread. Her dad is also a maker, he built his home, his furniture! So I'm the fruit of all this, and so much more. The idea of making things, sharing them, transmitting to the next generation, all of this is important to me. I love the saying "Make Art, Not War". What led you to volunteer with Herts Welcomes Refugees? Is there a particular motivating factor? Volunteering with HWR was a coincidence. Ruhena (our Volunteer Coordinator), who lives in my village, advertised for the role. I have always felt strongly about justice and protection of the most vulnerable. I have volunteered before, in orphanages abroad and in youth clubs here. My mother-in- law has a project called Protect the Girl Child, which is one of the many initiatives her charity, the WILDE Foundation, leads. I have more recently heard stories about cases of abuse or violence, that have deeply affected the victims, and that have not been addressed with the seriousness and care they should have received. All of the knowledge I gain from these experiences, these stories, has motivated me to take on the Safeguarding Lead role. How do you think Herts Welcomes Refugees can best support asylum seekers and refugees and its volunteers? Giving care, respect and help where needed is essential. I think we need to speak with asylum seekers and refugees and ask them how we can best support them. We need to acknowledge our privilege, at many levels, and listen listen listen to their stories and what their needs might be now, in their current situations. Can you say a little bit about the importance of safeguarding, both from the view of the volunteers and our refugee partners? Safeguarding is key to preventing any harm from happening to anyone. It is essential to keep safeguarding measures in mind when working, and especially when people who are more vulnerable are involved. By vulnerable in this case I mean that all the things that refugees and asylum seekers will experience, like differences in language and culture, the stress of change, their temporary status and very likely a recent traumatic past, will result in more sensitive situations. Volunteers are as much at risk as anyone and should make sure they take precautions to keep safe. Some incidents will be small, others will be obvious, all should be taken seriously. A series of small incidents can indicate the tip of an iceberg. The safeguarding team, alongside all other volunteers should be aware of things to look out for. That's why we should and will regularly talk about safeguarding, review the policy, and train volunteers, for the safety of all. Thank you Lucile, we are so pleased that you are part of the Herts Welcomes Refugees team! |