Migration, neighbourliness and mercy Dave Newall Project Manager Brushstrokes Community Project

‘Who is my neighbour?’ The person from next door ? The person across who lives across the street ? The people I work with? The people from the same Church as me? People who are just like me? ‘British people’? In Luke 10 :25-37 Jesus challenges our notions of Neighbour. He chooses a Samaritan as the one who is neighbour to the Jewish man who has been attacked and robbed. The ‘foreigner’ shows mercy.

Images of Migration ? of migration ?

Migration – not a simple issue Many reasons for migration Forced and unforced 68.5Million displaced people (UNHCR 2017) 57% of worlds refugees come from 3 countries (UNHCR 2017) Increased restrictions on immigration and Creation of a hostile environment. Recognition of vulnerability for some migrants Migration – not a simple issue

Asylum applications in the UK, year ending June 2009 to the year ending June 2018 (ONS 2018)

Migration at a local level Birmingham Sandwell 24% of the population born outside of the UK (2017). 54436 applications for a NINO (2015- 2017) 62492 new GP registrations over (3 yr. period to 2017) 41.7% of babies born in 2017 were to a non-UK born mother 1535 Asylum seeker in section 95 support (Q2 2017) 20% of the population was born outside of the UK (2017). 13183 applications for a NINO (2015- 2017) 13702 new GP registrations 35.9% of babies born in 2017 were to a non-UK born mother. 918 Asylum seeker is section 95 support (Q2 2017)

Asylum seekers in receipt of section 95 support (Quarterly Migration Statistics ONS) Birmingham, Sandwell and West Midlands

Same community, different entitlement? Not entitled to free NHS Secondary care Refused asylum seeker Undocumented migrant Asylum Seeker Visitor An Indian resident in the Birmingham. Are they a ……? Refugee Spouse/family migrant British Citizen Migrant worker Immigration health surcharge gives entitlement to free NHS care Student EU Citizen Entitled to free NHS care

Issues migrants may face Poverty No Recourse to Public Funds Restricted or no entitlement to Benefits Low levels of asylum support Absence of a safety net Lack of permission to work Recognition of qualifications and work experience Access to housing Knowledge of housing rights Impact of right to rent restrictions No choice of accommodation (Asylum Seekers)

Issues migrants may face Language Unfamiliarity with our systems Barriers accessing public services Professionals lacking clarity on migrants’ rights Knowing who and where to go for help or advice Social isolation Impact of NHS charging regulations Impact of migration on health Hidden vulnerability of some individuals Access to school places for children Criteria and cost for higher or adult education Media portrayal of immigration

Our Neighbours O – Found us by accident after she had been placed in a private rented house in our area with 3 young children and no means to support herself. Advocacy and practical support to get her and children accommodated by LA. J – Single mum with children and no access to benefits, diagnosed with terminal illness and unable to work . At risk of loosing her home, we were able to resolve her benefit issues , look for employment and help her to sustain her tenancy.

New neighbours P – Was brought to us by a friend in the community , victim of modern day slavery who needed medical attention and a place of safety. J & D – EU couple approached us as homeless and without benefit, wife was 8 months pregnant. No entitlement to benefits or housing assistance and refused support from the local authority. G – Mother with young children whose private tenancy coming to an end and was about to be made homeless, through our Private sector housing work and landlord/ tenants meetings she was offered a property by one of the landlords and is now settled and happy with her family. Our volunteers who have come through our service and now give their skills and time to enrich others in our community.

Brushstrokes community project Founded in 1999 A partnership project of Father Hudson’s Care, Infant Jesus Sisters and Parish of ST Philip Neri, Smethwick. Working with Asylum seekers, Refugees and Migrants in Sandwell, West Birmingham and beyond. The vision for the project is captured by this saying of Nicolas Barre : “We Must be in the hand of God like a brush in the hand of a painter” Providing a place of welcome prioritising the hidden poor. A holistic service which places people at the heart of what we do. 10 staff and 47 volunteers enable us to deliver our work supporting over 1200 individuals in 2017/18.

Brushstrokes Services for asylum seekers, refugees and migrants Practical support Language support Community Activities Advice and outreach 15

Challenges in our work Demand for ESOL and advice services Lack of other provision in our area Impact of NRPF, Habitual residency and restricted benefit options for EU migrants Lack of alternative free Immigration advice Uncertainty created by BREXIT Need to secure additional space and the resources to deliver our services Responding to changes in migration

Resources for this work The dignity of every person – The stranger as a bearer of God’s image In what ways can we recognise the image of God in the stranger ? What might need to change in us to be able to recognise them as our neighbour? Solidarity – Standing with , advocating for and recognising our obligations to and as a community. What opportunities might there be to stand with migrants in this city ? What obligations do we have as the church, as a community to the strangers in our midst? How might these obligations express themselves?

Resources for the work Preferring the poor - Gods heart for the poor expressed frequently in the Bible. The early church challenged society by it’s practical support and care for the poor. What might preferring the poor who are migrants in this city or abroad mean for us ? Welcoming the stranger – “I was a stranger and you welcomed me in…” What might your welcome look like for migrants in the City?

What could you do? Identify which communities and types of migration are represented in your area? Who is already working with migrants in your area and what they do? Are there any gaps? Who are the most vulnerable? What are recent migrants saying they need ? Could you support or volunteer for existing project? E.g. St Chads Sanctuary in Birmingham ; Brushstrokes in Sandwell ; Restore in Birmingham Opportunities : Provide a Place of Welcome ; Conversational English ; Practical support ; Community activities that include new arrivals ; Respond to national campaigns?

The opportunity to be a neighbour Jesus asks the Pharisee “Who do you think was a neighbour to this man? “ The Pharisee responds, “The one who showed mercy” Jesus challenge, “Go and do likewise” We have an invitation to a new neighbourliness in our response to Migration. The opportunity to be a neighbour

Thank you For more information please contact: Brushstrokes Community Project St Philips Centre Watt Street Smethwick B66 3DA info@brushstrokessandwell.org.uk 0121 65 2234 www.brushstrokessandwell.org.uk Father Hudson’s Care - https://www.fatherhudsons.org.uk/