Giving the Voiceless a Voice Seana Roberts Merseyside Refugee Support Network & L’pool City of Sanctuary Alhagi Alfatty Liverpool Asylum and Refugee Association (LARA) Estelle Worthington Regional Asylum Activism/ STAR

Today’s Workshop Intro to our organisations Refugee awareness quiz Refugees and people seeking asylum in Liverpool Challenges facing refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK Barriers to getting refugees involved and top tips for engaging refugees and ensuring they have a voice

Regional Asylum Activism Project Co-ordinated nationally by Student Action for Refugees (STAR), we currently work in three regions of the UK (the North West, Yorkshire and Humber, and the West Midlands). We’re here to: Inform and change attitudes about asylum seekers and refugees Campaign for positive change to the asylum system Building voice of people seeking asylum

Liverpool Asylum and Refugee Association LARA is an asylum seeker and refugee-led group aiming to support and improve the wellbeing of asylum seekers and refugees in Liverpool: Information sharing Peer support Campaigning and lobbying Improving wellbeing of people seeking asylum

Merseyside Refugee Support Network & Liverpool City of Sanctuary City of Sanctuary is a national network, a movement of local groups all with one thing in common; their belief that sanctuary seekers should be welcomed, and that their contribution to society should be celebrated. The Liverpool City of Sanctuary movement, started in 2012, seeks to unite those already working to support asylum seekers and refugees, and provide a simple platform for others to do the same.

Merseyside Refugee Support Network & Liverpool City of Sanctuary We invite you whether you are an individual, business or local organisation, to pledge your support to the movement and get involved in any way that would suit you. Visit:

Refugee Awareness Quiz What do you know about refugees?

What is a refugee? "A person who owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it..“ UN Geneva Convention, 1951

Everyone has the right to seek protection and claim asylum in a state outside their country of origin. An asylum seeker in the UK is somebody who has applied for refugee protection from the UK government, but is awaiting a decision on their claim. But what is an asylum seeker?

Ed Miliband Son of a Belgian-Jewish refugee MIA Sri Lankan Refugee PATAKS Founded by a Kenyan Refugee Fabrice Muamba Fled DRC aged 11

According to the UNHCR, there are currently more refugees globally than at any time since WWII. Developing countries host over 86% of the worlds refugees. The population of refugees, pending asylum cases and stateless persons made up just 0.23% of the UK population. Refugees globally

Hosts an Initial Accommodation Centre. Currently hosts 1,275 people in dispersal accommodation, representing approximately 24% of dispersals to the NW region. There are also a settled refugee communities in the city. Refugees and people seeking asylum in Liverpool

Challenges facing refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK

Practical challenges facing people seeking asylum Poor decision-making and lack of access to legal advice means people can be left in limbo for years, and many reach the end of the process without their protection needs being recognised. People seeking asylum are not allowed to work and cannot afford to meet their essential living needs. People seeking asylum are often deterred from accessing the healthcare they are entitled to. Asylum accommodation is often poor quality, and people can be dispersed far away from support networks. People seeking asylum are routinely made destitute whilst stating their claim for a safe haven from persecution. People seeking asylum can be detained indefinitely and without charge.

Social and emotional challenges facing refugees and people seeking asylum Post traumatic stress disorder and other emotional challenges associated with having fled war, torture and persecution. Social isolation, discrimination and loneliness Communication barriers and lack of English language Separation from family, culture and community Anxiety and lack of control over the future

Barriers to getting refugees involved Reduce the number of people seeking protection in the UK In groups, discuss… i) What barriers you can think of that might stop refugees from getting involved in your project/organisation ii) What solutions you can think of to these

Barriers to getting refugees involved Cost of travel Not knowing about your service Childcare needs Not being able to find your service Speaking another language Lack of confidence Fear of being charged for your service No internet access

Top tips for involving refugees Use local refugee networks to promote your services Come and engage and meet people face to face (LARA meetings/ MRSN meetings etc) Give out maps and directions Have friendly frontline staff Clearly say on flyers if your service is free Offer to cover travel expenses (if you can) Offer childcare or a child play area Call or text people rather than them Pledge to support Liverpool City of Sanctuary

Useful links Asylum Awareness and Myth-busting Tools: tools/ Local Asylum Awareness Training and Projects to Welcome Refugees: action.org.uk/in_your_area/liverpool/what_we_do_in_liverpool/49 0_shared_awareness

Stay in touch! Seana Roberts, City of Sanctuary/ Merseyside Refugee Support Network: | | Alhagi Alfatty, Liverpool Asylum and refugee Association: | | Estelle Worthington, Regional Asylum Activism | |