Newsletter
Submitted by Ulrike on Wed, 2009-09-30 12:39
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Newsletter
Largest ever survey of destitution among asylum seekers shows system is failing
The Asylum Support Partnership, a coalition of the leading refugee charities in the UK, have published a report revealing shocking facts about the failure of the asylum system to look after people in dire need. The Second Destitution Tally, examining the extent of destitution among asylum seekers, refused asylum seekers, and refugees, shows that almost half (48%) of visits to refugee charities are from people who are destitute, and the majority of those are people whose claims have been refused. Many have been destitute for longer than six months. There were 250 visits by destitute families with children. Strikingly, half of all those recorded as destitute came from one of only four countries: Iraq, Iran, Zimbabwe and Eritrea. Those who had been destitute for a long time, in some cases over two years, also came from a small number of countries: Iraq, Iran, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. All of these countries are places of conflict or have poor human rights records. This suggests that people will remain destitute in the UK for long periods if they do not believe it is safe to return, and that destitution could be more than halved if solutions were found for asylum seekers from these countries, including recognition of the problems of return, and granting leave to stay in the UK. Donna Covey, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council said: “It is impossible to show just from numbers how devastating the impact of destitution is. However, the sheer size of the numbers gives some indication of how serious the problem is. The fact that our survey includes families is simply shameful. “The government insists that no-one needs to be destitute, but this survey shows us this is categorically not the case. Most of the people our organisations see are from countries where there are serious human rights abuses or internal conflict and it is clear that return is not an option for them. “The system needs a radical overhaul – with new, sustainable solutions for those who are unable to go home, and options including permission to work. It also needs to urgently address the administrative failures that result in people who are entitled to support not receiving it. We are eager to work with the government to help identify and implement these solutions.” Source: Refugee Council
Manchester Refugee Support Network
Issue 32 June 2009 – July 2009
Pilot scheme offers an alternative to family detention in Glasgow
A scheme to offer ex-council flats to families who have had their asylum claims refused as the first step to returning them to their home countries has launched in Glasgow as an alternative to detention. Currently the project will be able to provide housing for up to twenty families a year and will offer dedicated social workers to help the families prepare for return. The support and advice they will receive is intended to allow families to consider their position in Scotland and what their stay in the UK has meant and how it can be used to overcome the perceived barriers to returning home. Families will move to a self-contained accommodation unit in a central and multicultural area of the city. Children will normally remain at their present school and families will have their own keys to their flats. The pilot scheme is led by Glasgow City Council (GCC) and has been developed in partnership with organisations across the public and voluntary sectors. If successful it may be rolled out to other areas of the UK. Detention will still remain as a final option for those families who do not return home voluntarily. Source: Scottish Refugee Council
Launch of refugee run coffee company
Owned and run by Ethiopian refugees living in the North West, the Oromo Coffee Company sells Fair Trade coffee sourced directly from coffee producers in Ethiopia. The company was launched at an event in Westminster hosted by welfare secretary James Purnell. Abiyot Kebede Shiferani, OCC company secretary, said: “We wanted to improve our life. We were not satisfied with depending on benefits.”
UK Border Agency North West and Refugee and Migrant Forum Manchester: Annual Forum
UK Border Agency North West and Refugee & Migrant Forum Manchester Annual Forum. Date/ Time: Tuesday 16th June 2009, 12:30 - 4:30pm, Venue: Main Hall – The Mechanics Institute, 103 Princess Street, M1 6DD. This year’s event will be focused on two key themes: ‘Enforcement in the North West’ and ‘People who cannot be returned’. Please register in advance on: 0161 232 7420, or email: forum@mrsn.org.uk
To advertise your events or services in this newsletter email your information to belay@mrsn.org.uk
Information for Refugee Groups and Individuals
Funding News
Emergency Grant for Community Groups MRSN is pleased to announce the Emergency Grant for Community Groups. The Grant is available to all small or new community groups of Greater Manchester (note the community group must be run by residents on a wholly voluntary basis - i.e. without paid workers). Priority will be given to groups which do not have significant income, and face an emergency in supporting the running of their group. A group can receive only one Emergency Grant in this round of offers. Funding could be for a variety of needs. Grants can be from a few pounds and up to £300. Additionally, MRSN are also currently seeking donations from organisations, interested parties and individual’s who may be able to add to the financial base of the grant so as to broaden and/ or extend the grant offer. For more information or an application form please contact the Community Development Worker on: belay@mrsn. org.uk BBC Children in Need Funding BBC Children in Need have two further deadlines for applications in 2009; July 15 and September 15. They welcome applications from groups within the voluntary and community sector that work to positively change the lives of children and young people in the United Kingdom. Their regional staff can advise on types of projects and organisations that can be funded. It is highly recommended that you discuss your application with a member of the North Regional team before applying. To discuss your application, contact Philip Jeffery on 0161 244 3442 or e-mail Philip.Jeffery@ bbc.co.uk and they will respond to your query within 48 hours. For further information, visit: http:// www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/grants/
The Nationwide Foundation Grants The Nationwide Foundation is a registered charity, set up and funded by the Nationwide Building Society. They make grants to other charities across the UK, including Northern Ireland. They aim to achieve maximum impact with their funds and therefore define their criteria based on research into societal needs and gaps in provision supported by other funders including government. The Foundation has a history of offering support to those most in need in the UK. The grants are currently made in support of work related to financial inclusion and housing. For further information, visit: www. nationwidefoundation.org.uk, or contact 01793 655 113, or email: enquiries@ nationwidefoundation.org.uk
2 staff to develop, promote and support youth volunteering opportunities in Bolton through the National Youth Volunteering Programme funded by v. The posts are funded until April 2011. Youth Volunteer Development Manager (YVDM) Salary: £27,573, Hours: Full-time, Location: Bolton Youth Volunteer Development Managers will maximise the capacity of volunteer involving organisations through training and support, and assist in the development of quality opportunities for young people. Youth Volunteering Adviser (YVA) Salary: £22,730, Hours: Full-time, Location: Bolton Youth Volunteer Advisers will support the development of youth volunteering by enhancing the existing volunteering infrastructure and co-ordinating the provision of high quality advice and guidance for young people. For further details, see below. For further information, visit www. gmyn.co.uk, or contact GMYN on 0161 274 3299, or email: jobs@gmyn.co.uk Application deadline: Wednesday 17 June, 12 noon
Job Opportunity
Community Development Worker at the Parish of St Thomas, Kirkholt Salary scale: SO1 Points 29 – 31 (Actual Salary: £14,641 - £15,609 plus 10% pension contribution), Hours: 21 hours per week The Parish of St Thomas, Kirkholt wishes to appoint a community development worker. They have obtained funding to set up a community resource for local people. This is an opportunity for someone to establish the project and to develop it in conjunction with the congregation of St Thomas’ Church, other churches in Kirkholt, together with partners in the local community. This post will be subject to an enhanced CRB Check. For further information, or to request an application form, visit: www.manchester. anglican.org, or contact Simon Ambrose, on 0161 828 1410, or email: simonambrose@manchester.anglican. org. Application deadline: Wednesday 27 May 2009 Interviews: Monday 15 June 2009 Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) is seeking to recruit
Resources
Community Legal Advice Community Legal Advice is a free and confidential advice service paid for by legal aid. If you live on a low income or benefits, call for independent advice about debt, education, benefits and tax credits, employment and housing problems. Free, confidential legal advice: 0845 345 4345 www.clsdirect.org.uk - This website offers free, confidential and independent legal advice for residents of England and Wales. • Free, confidential and impartial advice paid for by legal aid • Full casework service • Mon - Fri 9am - 6:30pm • Calls from 4p/min - callback available
To advertise your events or services in this newsletter email your information to belay@mrsn.org.uk
Information for Refugee Groups and Individuals
Events
UK Border Agency North West and Refugee and Migrant Forum Manchester: Annual Forum UK Border Agency North West and Refugee & Migrant Forum Manchester Annual Forum. Date/ Time: Tuesday 16th June 2009, 12:30 - 4:30pm, Venue: Main Hall – The Mechanics Institute, 103 Princess Street, M1 6DD. This year’s event will be focused on two key themes: ‘Enforcement in the North West’ and ‘People who cannot be returned’. Please register in advance on: 0161 232 7420, or email: forum@mrsn.org.uk
LOTTERY FUNDED
To advertise your events or services in this newsletter email your information to belay@mrsn.org.uk
MRSN Projects News
Refugee and Migrant Forum Manchester
UK Border Agency North West Annual Forum – 16th June 2009 Following the success of last summer’s event with UKBA North West, Forum members have invited the UKBA to meet with Greater Manchester’s refugee communities once again on 16th June 2009. This year’s event will be focused on the detention process in Greater Manchester and people who cannot be returned. See ‘Events’ for full details. Let Them Work – Join a constituency lobby group! People all over the UK will be meeting with their MPs on 26th and 27th June to ask for their support for permission to work for asylum seekers and the Let Them Work campaign. There are teams of local supporters, trade unionists, refugees and asylum seekers building in each constituency of Greater Manchester to plan a joint meeting with their MP. The next campaign meeting is 6-8pm, 2nd June, Friends Meeting House for more details or contact Elinah, Sylvester or Sophie at MRSN – 0161 232 7420 / forum@mrsn.org.uk Pilot research – Experiences of Detention in Greater Manchester Forum members interviewed 8 asylum seekers with recent experience of being detained either at Dallas Court or from their homes. The research was focused on whether immigration officers were following the UK Border Agency’s own guidelines for ‘enforcement’ and guidance given to Forum members during negotiation meetings. Key findings include: 6/8 people were unsuitable for detention according to UKBA criteria; 5/8 people did not feel they were treated with respect and dignity; however 6/8 people said they had not been handcuffed or handled with unnecessary force. The full report will be launched at the UKBA event on 16 June and will be available on the MRSN website from that date. Negotiations have taken place on the basis of the research and are ongoing, including a proposal for further independent research. Forum members are holding talks directly with immigration officers and three groups of immigration officers will be receiving refugee awareness training sessions in July and August 2009.
The project continues to support refugee Community Organisation (RCOs) to access information, training, funding, office space, and meeting room. Since the last newsletter the team organized one training course on Introduction to QASRO and Governance and well attended by representatives from more than 10 RCOs in Manchester. The team has also supported Salford Welcome Group and United Somali Bravanese Community to successfully secure funding. The Project will continue to address the needs of emerging groups/communities and that of established communities in Manchester to be able to provide service for their communities. If you know of any refugee community that needs help to set up or develop a group, please do refer them to us or if you are already an established group and need some support, do not hesitate to contact the team on 0161 232 7420 or email; belay@mrsn.org.uk
Community Development Project
RIES Advocacy Service
35 referrals have been made to the Advocacy Service in Zone A & B both in April and May. Eritreans remain to be the largest group with 20 client to date. MRSN Coordinators have also started to recruite and manage volunteers who are interested to involve in case work roles by committing at least half day session to assist Refugee Action RIES case managers. So far 16 volunteers have taken a half day case work training on the 30th of April. The training was coordinated by MRSN in partnership with Refugee Action case managers who had delivered it. We therefore welcome bi-lingual volunteers who speak Tigrina, Amharic, Farsi, Somali, French, Korean, Kurdish, Arabic and Lingala to volunteer in the RIES Advocacy Service; or volunteers who are able to communicate in English very well, who are interested to involve in the office based case work roles and who are willing to commit at least a half day session per week in order to help RIES client with issues such as housing, travel documents, GP and ESOL. Training is given for both the advocacy and case work roles before volunteers start work.
MRSN is pleased to welcome Elinah Mugwagwa as the new Forum Development Assistant. Elinah will be assisting the Forum Development Worker to coordinate Forum action three days a week. We will soon be welcoming a new Forum Development Worker into the staff team. Sophie King will be leaving MRSN on 19th June after three years working with the Refugee and Migrant Forum Manchester. Please join her for a farewell picnic on Thursday 18th June: contact forum@mrsn.org.uk for details.
Changes to staff team:
MRSN Main Office. St James Centre, 95a Princess Road, Moss Side, Manchester M14 4TH MRSN Advice Centre. 129 Princess Road, Moss Side, Manchester M14 4RB www.mrsn.org.uk Tel: 0161 232 7420 Opening hours Monday - Friday 10.00am - 5.00pm
Newsletter
Largest ever survey of destitution among asylum seekers shows system is failing
The Asylum Support Partnership, a coalition of the leading refugee charities in the UK, have published a report revealing shocking facts about the failure of the asylum system to look after people in dire need. The Second Destitution Tally, examining the extent of destitution among asylum seekers, refused asylum seekers, and refugees, shows that almost half (48%) of visits to refugee charities are from people who are destitute, and the majority of those are people whose claims have been refused. Many have been destitute for longer than six months. There were 250 visits by destitute families with children. Strikingly, half of all those recorded as destitute came from one of only four countries: Iraq, Iran, Zimbabwe and Eritrea. Those who had been destitute for a long time, in some cases over two years, also came from a small number of countries: Iraq, Iran, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. All of these countries are places of conflict or have poor human rights records. This suggests that people will remain destitute in the UK for long periods if they do not believe it is safe to return, and that destitution could be more than halved if solutions were found for asylum seekers from these countries, including recognition of the problems of return, and granting leave to stay in the UK. Donna Covey, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council said: “It is impossible to show just from numbers how devastating the impact of destitution is. However, the sheer size of the numbers gives some indication of how serious the problem is. The fact that our survey includes families is simply shameful. “The government insists that no-one needs to be destitute, but this survey shows us this is categorically not the case. Most of the people our organisations see are from countries where there are serious human rights abuses or internal conflict and it is clear that return is not an option for them. “The system needs a radical overhaul – with new, sustainable solutions for those who are unable to go home, and options including permission to work. It also needs to urgently address the administrative failures that result in people who are entitled to support not receiving it. We are eager to work with the government to help identify and implement these solutions.” Source: Refugee Council
Manchester Refugee Support Network
Issue 32 June 2009 – July 2009
Pilot scheme offers an alternative to family detention in Glasgow
A scheme to offer ex-council flats to families who have had their asylum claims refused as the first step to returning them to their home countries has launched in Glasgow as an alternative to detention. Currently the project will be able to provide housing for up to twenty families a year and will offer dedicated social workers to help the families prepare for return. The support and advice they will receive is intended to allow families to consider their position in Scotland and what their stay in the UK has meant and how it can be used to overcome the perceived barriers to returning home. Families will move to a self-contained accommodation unit in a central and multicultural area of the city. Children will normally remain at their present school and families will have their own keys to their flats. The pilot scheme is led by Glasgow City Council (GCC) and has been developed in partnership with organisations across the public and voluntary sectors. If successful it may be rolled out to other areas of the UK. Detention will still remain as a final option for those families who do not return home voluntarily. Source: Scottish Refugee Council
Launch of refugee run coffee company
Owned and run by Ethiopian refugees living in the North West, the Oromo Coffee Company sells Fair Trade coffee sourced directly from coffee producers in Ethiopia. The company was launched at an event in Westminster hosted by welfare secretary James Purnell. Abiyot Kebede Shiferani, OCC company secretary, said: “We wanted to improve our life. We were not satisfied with depending on benefits.”
UK Border Agency North West and Refugee and Migrant Forum Manchester: Annual Forum
UK Border Agency North West and Refugee & Migrant Forum Manchester Annual Forum. Date/ Time: Tuesday 16th June 2009, 12:30 - 4:30pm, Venue: Main Hall – The Mechanics Institute, 103 Princess Street, M1 6DD. This year’s event will be focused on two key themes: ‘Enforcement in the North West’ and ‘People who cannot be returned’. Please register in advance on: 0161 232 7420, or email: forum@mrsn.org.uk
To advertise your events or services in this newsletter email your information to belay@mrsn.org.uk
Information for Refugee Groups and Individuals
Funding News
Emergency Grant for Community Groups MRSN is pleased to announce the Emergency Grant for Community Groups. The Grant is available to all small or new community groups of Greater Manchester (note the community group must be run by residents on a wholly voluntary basis - i.e. without paid workers). Priority will be given to groups which do not have significant income, and face an emergency in supporting the running of their group. A group can receive only one Emergency Grant in this round of offers. Funding could be for a variety of needs. Grants can be from a few pounds and up to £300. Additionally, MRSN are also currently seeking donations from organisations, interested parties and individual’s who may be able to add to the financial base of the grant so as to broaden and/ or extend the grant offer. For more information or an application form please contact the Community Development Worker on: belay@mrsn. org.uk BBC Children in Need Funding BBC Children in Need have two further deadlines for applications in 2009; July 15 and September 15. They welcome applications from groups within the voluntary and community sector that work to positively change the lives of children and young people in the United Kingdom. Their regional staff can advise on types of projects and organisations that can be funded. It is highly recommended that you discuss your application with a member of the North Regional team before applying. To discuss your application, contact Philip Jeffery on 0161 244 3442 or e-mail Philip.Jeffery@ bbc.co.uk and they will respond to your query within 48 hours. For further information, visit: http:// www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/grants/
The Nationwide Foundation Grants The Nationwide Foundation is a registered charity, set up and funded by the Nationwide Building Society. They make grants to other charities across the UK, including Northern Ireland. They aim to achieve maximum impact with their funds and therefore define their criteria based on research into societal needs and gaps in provision supported by other funders including government. The Foundation has a history of offering support to those most in need in the UK. The grants are currently made in support of work related to financial inclusion and housing. For further information, visit: www. nationwidefoundation.org.uk, or contact 01793 655 113, or email: enquiries@ nationwidefoundation.org.uk
2 staff to develop, promote and support youth volunteering opportunities in Bolton through the National Youth Volunteering Programme funded by v. The posts are funded until April 2011. Youth Volunteer Development Manager (YVDM) Salary: £27,573, Hours: Full-time, Location: Bolton Youth Volunteer Development Managers will maximise the capacity of volunteer involving organisations through training and support, and assist in the development of quality opportunities for young people. Youth Volunteering Adviser (YVA) Salary: £22,730, Hours: Full-time, Location: Bolton Youth Volunteer Advisers will support the development of youth volunteering by enhancing the existing volunteering infrastructure and co-ordinating the provision of high quality advice and guidance for young people. For further details, see below. For further information, visit www. gmyn.co.uk, or contact GMYN on 0161 274 3299, or email: jobs@gmyn.co.uk Application deadline: Wednesday 17 June, 12 noon
Job Opportunity
Community Development Worker at the Parish of St Thomas, Kirkholt Salary scale: SO1 Points 29 – 31 (Actual Salary: £14,641 - £15,609 plus 10% pension contribution), Hours: 21 hours per week The Parish of St Thomas, Kirkholt wishes to appoint a community development worker. They have obtained funding to set up a community resource for local people. This is an opportunity for someone to establish the project and to develop it in conjunction with the congregation of St Thomas’ Church, other churches in Kirkholt, together with partners in the local community. This post will be subject to an enhanced CRB Check. For further information, or to request an application form, visit: www.manchester. anglican.org, or contact Simon Ambrose, on 0161 828 1410, or email: simonambrose@manchester.anglican. org. Application deadline: Wednesday 27 May 2009 Interviews: Monday 15 June 2009 Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) is seeking to recruit
Resources
Community Legal Advice Community Legal Advice is a free and confidential advice service paid for by legal aid. If you live on a low income or benefits, call for independent advice about debt, education, benefits and tax credits, employment and housing problems. Free, confidential legal advice: 0845 345 4345 www.clsdirect.org.uk - This website offers free, confidential and independent legal advice for residents of England and Wales. • Free, confidential and impartial advice paid for by legal aid • Full casework service • Mon - Fri 9am - 6:30pm • Calls from 4p/min - callback available
To advertise your events or services in this newsletter email your information to belay@mrsn.org.uk
Information for Refugee Groups and Individuals
Events
UK Border Agency North West and Refugee and Migrant Forum Manchester: Annual Forum UK Border Agency North West and Refugee & Migrant Forum Manchester Annual Forum. Date/ Time: Tuesday 16th June 2009, 12:30 - 4:30pm, Venue: Main Hall – The Mechanics Institute, 103 Princess Street, M1 6DD. This year’s event will be focused on two key themes: ‘Enforcement in the North West’ and ‘People who cannot be returned’. Please register in advance on: 0161 232 7420, or email: forum@mrsn.org.uk
LOTTERY FUNDED
To advertise your events or services in this newsletter email your information to belay@mrsn.org.uk
MRSN Projects News
Refugee and Migrant Forum Manchester
UK Border Agency North West Annual Forum – 16th June 2009 Following the success of last summer’s event with UKBA North West, Forum members have invited the UKBA to meet with Greater Manchester’s refugee communities once again on 16th June 2009. This year’s event will be focused on the detention process in Greater Manchester and people who cannot be returned. See ‘Events’ for full details. Let Them Work – Join a constituency lobby group! People all over the UK will be meeting with their MPs on 26th and 27th June to ask for their support for permission to work for asylum seekers and the Let Them Work campaign. There are teams of local supporters, trade unionists, refugees and asylum seekers building in each constituency of Greater Manchester to plan a joint meeting with their MP. The next campaign meeting is 6-8pm, 2nd June, Friends Meeting House for more details or contact Elinah, Sylvester or Sophie at MRSN – 0161 232 7420 / forum@mrsn.org.uk Pilot research – Experiences of Detention in Greater Manchester Forum members interviewed 8 asylum seekers with recent experience of being detained either at Dallas Court or from their homes. The research was focused on whether immigration officers were following the UK Border Agency’s own guidelines for ‘enforcement’ and guidance given to Forum members during negotiation meetings. Key findings include: 6/8 people were unsuitable for detention according to UKBA criteria; 5/8 people did not feel they were treated with respect and dignity; however 6/8 people said they had not been handcuffed or handled with unnecessary force. The full report will be launched at the UKBA event on 16 June and will be available on the MRSN website from that date. Negotiations have taken place on the basis of the research and are ongoing, including a proposal for further independent research. Forum members are holding talks directly with immigration officers and three groups of immigration officers will be receiving refugee awareness training sessions in July and August 2009.
The project continues to support refugee Community Organisation (RCOs) to access information, training, funding, office space, and meeting room. Since the last newsletter the team organized one training course on Introduction to QASRO and Governance and well attended by representatives from more than 10 RCOs in Manchester. The team has also supported Salford Welcome Group and United Somali Bravanese Community to successfully secure funding. The Project will continue to address the needs of emerging groups/communities and that of established communities in Manchester to be able to provide service for their communities. If you know of any refugee community that needs help to set up or develop a group, please do refer them to us or if you are already an established group and need some support, do not hesitate to contact the team on 0161 232 7420 or email; belay@mrsn.org.uk
Community Development Project
RIES Advocacy Service
35 referrals have been made to the Advocacy Service in Zone A & B both in April and May. Eritreans remain to be the largest group with 20 client to date. MRSN Coordinators have also started to recruite and manage volunteers who are interested to involve in case work roles by committing at least half day session to assist Refugee Action RIES case managers. So far 16 volunteers have taken a half day case work training on the 30th of April. The training was coordinated by MRSN in partnership with Refugee Action case managers who had delivered it. We therefore welcome bi-lingual volunteers who speak Tigrina, Amharic, Farsi, Somali, French, Korean, Kurdish, Arabic and Lingala to volunteer in the RIES Advocacy Service; or volunteers who are able to communicate in English very well, who are interested to involve in the office based case work roles and who are willing to commit at least a half day session per week in order to help RIES client with issues such as housing, travel documents, GP and ESOL. Training is given for both the advocacy and case work roles before volunteers start work.
MRSN is pleased to welcome Elinah Mugwagwa as the new Forum Development Assistant. Elinah will be assisting the Forum Development Worker to coordinate Forum action three days a week. We will soon be welcoming a new Forum Development Worker into the staff team. Sophie King will be leaving MRSN on 19th June after three years working with the Refugee and Migrant Forum Manchester. Please join her for a farewell picnic on Thursday 18th June: contact forum@mrsn.org.uk for details.
Changes to staff team:
MRSN Main Office. St James Centre, 95a Princess Road, Moss Side, Manchester M14 4TH MRSN Advice Centre. 129 Princess Road, Moss Side, Manchester M14 4RB www.mrsn.org.uk Tel: 0161 232 7420 Opening hours Monday - Friday 10.00am - 5.00pm
