1. Understanding Experiences of Asylum Seekers BPS Conference Harrogate 9-11 th April 2013 Helen Liebling, Shani Burke, Simon Goodman and Daniel Zasada

2. Outline of Presentation Research Process Participant Demographics Findings Summary Policy recommendations

3. Research Process Ethics approval from Coventry University Data collection during May and July 2012 Nine participants recruited and interviewed at Refugee centre  Individually by a member of the research team  Refugee centre assisted with process Transcribed verbatim by Research Assistant All researchers met to complete thematic analysis and determine overall themes

4. Participant Demographics Country of Origin M/FAgeCurrent Asylum StatusTime in UK 1AfghanistanF28Appealing rejection10 years 2AngolaF41Awaiting decision8 years 3Ivory CoastM29Appealing rejected claim9 years 4MauritiusF33Appealing rejected claim2 years 5MauritiusMN/AAwaiting decision2 years 6MauritiusM38Awaiting decision3 years 7MalawiF33Appealing rejection7 years 8EthiopiaFN/AAppealing rejection4 years 9KenyaFN/AAwaiting decision9 years

5. 1. The Importance of Safety Reason for leaving Country included violence, danger, persecution and traumatic experiences.  Included violence, conflict, political reasons, rape, arranged marriage, sexual violence and murder of parents (common).  Likelihood of being killed if returned; therefore return impossible/unacceptable.  In contrast UK perceived as safe-would rather kill self than return

6. Importance of Safety Home Country dangerous I don't remember any good days… [there] always was fighting (Participant 1) Britain perceived as safe haven I like, [a] safe country you know…I don't see any problem (Participant 8) Unable to return home due to fear I cannot go back because I face death…how can I go? (Participant 9)

7. 2. Negative Experiences of Home Office Home Office focus of much criticism Major negative impacts on lives Rejecting applications, refugee centre constrained and removed access to accommodation – Causing destitution and homelessness Support of friends prevents ‘sleeping rough’ Slow speed of HO, lack of clarity of asylum process, ill treatment -serious causes of concern Negative emotional impact on P’s who reported isolation, feeling trapped and controlled

8. Negative Experiences of Home Office System too slowIt's hard when you don't know what's going to happen to you…you think about it every day (Participant 1) Controlling participants' lives If they saying you have to come [at] 11 o' clock you have to be there (Participant 7) Participants confused over system and status of their application When you going [for] asylum you don't know anything...you don't know what's going on in the Home Office (Participant 7) Inhumane treatmentSome people coming to my house to send me back like [an] animal (Participant 4)

9. 3. Support Refugee centre good at practical support but limited influence with asylum application and Home Office Unstable accommodation-’Living on the streets’-isolated and vulnerable Racist attacks and hostility Limited support but health care valued Appreciation for support of friends

10. 3. Support Insecure accommodation I don't have somewhere to relax I just walk and walk...during the day I don't have anything to eat (Participant 9) Feeling unsafeWhite people just throw eggs everywhere…punch the door…make me scared (Participant 4) Positive experience of healthcare They supported me a lot…very good...those people their work it's not easy (Participant 7) FriendshipsThey help because normally we black people stick together...we help each other (Participant 3)

11. 4. Emotional Effects Suicidal tendenciesI would really prefer to kill myself because my life is bad (Participant 9) Feeling isolated and trapped I'm just staying indoors, not going anywhere (Participant 7) Negative emotional effects including common traumatic effects e.g. anxiety Three participants receiving treatment for depression and two were suicidal Fear of seeking support Exacerbated by loneliness, isolation, not working, uncertainty and ‘feeling trapped’

12. 5. Significance of Family Some met partners and had children in UK giving sense of responsibility and importance of family Some family members had been killed or unsafe to contact family in Country of origin Family in the UK important reason to stay You don't want to leave your child here to go to another country (Participant 3) Disconnection from family in home country I can't think anything about family now (Participant 9)

13. 6. Hopes for the future JobWork like everybody normally works, [to] pay your own taxes (Participant 3) Secure AccommodationIf I had somewhere to sleep it would be better (Participant 9) Indefinite Leave to RemainI want to become British...then my mind will be at peace (Participant 5) Ordinary hopes are basic needs Desire to work, some to assist others with similar experiences Desire for a safe and secure place to stay Indefinite leave to remain

14. 7. Positive experiences of living in the UK Generally happy in the UK – Notwithstanding criticisms of HO Liked cities they have lived Fondness for British culture Desire to contribute to the culture Stark contrast to media representations of ‘unwillingness to integrate and scrounging’ No evidence of clash of cultures

15. Positive experiences of living in UK Better justice than home country Here there is higher security (Participant 7) Positive experiences of British people I like British people... they're kind…they're good to us (Participant 1)

16. Summary 1. Despite prevailing views, refugees know little about the UK before arrive. 2. Generally happy, although face hostility. 3. Negative impact by HO treatment. 4. Above all desire official refugee status. 5.Difficult within this context for refugees to express problems, access justice and support.

17. Policy recommendations 1.HO provide clearer and more detailed information to refugees about process and status of their application. 2.Services provide a holistic model of care that tackles stigma and meet needs for safety, emotional support and justice. 3.Asylum seekers should be allowed to work, which will increase self-esteem.

18. Acknowledgements All our participants Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre – Daniel Zasada Richard Benjamin Trust – www.richardbenjamintrust.co.uk www.richardbenjamintrust.co.uk Coventry University

19. Thanks for listening! Please contact us at:  Helen.Liebling@coventry.ac.uk  Shani.Burke@hotmail.co.uk  Simon.Goodman@coventry.ac.uk  danielz@covrefugee.org