The New Arrivals Alliance (NAA) aims to bring together a range of voluntary and community sector organisations in Derby to ensure that every new arrival* to the city receives support at the point of need from the most appropriate organisation(s). It is currently hosted by Community Action Derby.
*New arrivals are defined for this purpose as asylum seekers (with or without Home Office support), refugees and those arriving through resettlement schemes who may not have refugee status but have been granted leave to remain and have similar support needs.
In September 2023 the NAA Steering Group appointed a consultant to undertake an appraisal and produce a report with recommendations for a collective Voluntary Sector approach to supporting new arrivals in Derby. The completed research report was launched in January 2024 (you can read more about the NAA report here). One of the recommendations from the report was to employ a a member of staff to lead the work of the Alliance moving forward. Following the recruitment process, Richard Keene was appointed to the role of New Arrivals Alliance Manager.
Richard has always lived and (predominantly) worked in Derby. After studying law at university, Richard joined Derbyshire Police. He served there for 30 years, carrying out a wide variety of roles including being the lead for Partnerships, New Communities and Engagement and managing the Vulnerability and Safeguarding teams. Richard has also worked at the Derby Attendance Centre with young recidivist offenders for over two decades, as well as managing the response to homelessness and rough sleeping for the city.
Richard said:
"I have been proud to serve the local community in a variety of different roles and always endeavoured to make a positive difference to our communities. I have carried out a significant amount of work with partner agencies and communities in my career which has given me a fantastic background and grounding to commence the role of New Arrivals Alliance Manager.
"The exposure to these areas of work and the wide portfolio of experiences and contacts I possess is a key asset I bring to the role and one which will prove invaluable in co-ordinating the Alliance to successfully integrate new communities into our existing cohesive and diverse city.
"I am proud to be able to continue my work in this field and will strive to make a positive difference to all communities who make up our rich and multicultural society."
Welcome, Richard!
If you would like to contact Richard, you can email him at richard.keene@communityactionderby.org.uk or give him a call on 01332 227713.
