Founders: Lynn King, Louise Morgan Social Work First Founders: Lynn King, Louise Morgan

How we got started Raw concern for the refugees in Calais. Frustration at the UK and French Governments Recognising that the plight of this group of refugees was on our doorstep.

Our foundation

What we set out to achieve Campaigning as Social Workers for a humanitarian response to refugees, embedded in our principles of social justice. Direct Support for people in the ‘unofficial’ Calais refugee camp (i.e. assessment of unaccompanied children, supporting adults through engagement in dialogue and activities. Outreach support). Education – developing wider social work in training in the UK, based on direct experiences from within the camp.

What have we achieved so far A group of over 300 members of social workers and social work students from across Britain. Weekly visits of Social Work teams to the camp since March 2016. Established connection with other aid groups in the Calais camp. Art and / or games session in Kids Café every Saturday. Assessments of needs for unaccompanied children in collaboration with the legal centre in the camp. Analysis of the evidence generated from Assessments.

What have we discovered and challenges to surmount Problematic dynamics between aid organisations and volunteers based in the camp. Paulo Freire (1970) : ‘authentic liberation’ – in contrast to ‘false generosity’. Refugees are not merely recipients of aid. Difficulty initially to determine a social work role – putting our theories into practice. Significant numbers of unaccompanied children requiring immediate social work intervention.

A young person’s story Musab is 10 years old. He is bright and witty. Musab loves art and being creative, he especially likes being with his young friend Omar. Musab had to flee Syria with his parents, brothers and sisters. He was separated from his parents and siblings, he no longer knows where they are or whether they are alive or dead. Musab now ‘lives’ in the Calais refugee camp. His life is fraught with danger and uncertainty. Musab is alone in the camp and believes if he is ‘good’ he may be able to come to Britain. For now, Musab is being supported by other refugees, volunteers and of course, his friend Omar. There is no way of knowing how long Musab is going to be left in the camp, how much of his childhood will be diminished, how and if he will survive.

Our current concerns No central register of unaccompanied children in the camp. Risks and harm to children unknown and undocumented. No record of children’s medical needs and if these needs are being met. Inability of children to thrive in this environment. Contravention of the UN Article Rights of the Child (1998).

Outcomes for Adults Marginalisation from society Despair and hopelessness Shattered lives Dehumanization Lost dreams Police brutality Separation from family Recipients of ‘aid’. Disempowered and disregarded.

Our plans for the future Mobilise Social Workers across the world to fight for social justice in support of all displaced people. Build a network of volunteer social workers to respond to unaccompanied children. To assess and document the needs of children and provide testimony of neglect to the world. Challenge the current narrative towards refugees, campaign for inclusion NOT exclusion. Develop social work education in order to ensure that the needs of displaced people are understood. STAND IN SOLIDATORY with all displaced people around the world.

THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE No more barbed wire fences. No more tear gas and rubber bullets. No more graveyards in the sea. No more children laying dead on the beach. No more acceptance of the unacceptable. WE BELIEVE FROM A HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE, COMES HUMANITARIAN SOLUTIONS. THERE IS A GLOBAL MOVEMENT FOR THIS RESPONSE. LET’S MAKE SOCIAL WORK A PART OF THIS!

NO MORE MARGINALISATION SEEK AN ALTERNATIVE