LOCAL HELP:
SEE ALSO OUR Useful Links WEBPAGE.
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Click HERE for Wolverhampton Food Banks and Soup Kitchens.
NOT ENOUGH BEDS FOR YOU OR YOUR CHILDREN? The Good Night Project was launched in the city to try and ensure everyone has a bed of their own where they can get a good night’s sleep. Around 1500 beds and bedding items have been given out over the last 12 months with 60 per cent of these going to children. This includes bed bases, mattresses and bedding. Some items will be new, but some will be pre-loved items which have been recycled and refurbished by ACCI. Website: https://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/cost-of-living-support/the-good-night-project . If you feel you require support, please complete the Self Referral application: https://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/node/19417 . This service is for Wolverhampton residents only. If you are working with or supporting someone who requires assistance from the project, please complete the Referral application: https://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/node/19416 .
EMPTY NEW FLAT OR HOUSE? – For people needing to furnish new accommodation when they get their refugee status and have to leave G4S/Serco accommodation, your website administrator has put together a list of sources of second-hand furniture. In cases of severe hardship, we may be able to arrange for supply free-of-charge or at very low cost. CLICK HERE for Version 8 [Note that the stores of Bilston Community Transport and Bilston Good Shepherd have closed down].
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Getting English Language Lessons makes a big difference to asylum seekers and refugees, but isn’t easy when you have no money to spare. Your website manager (who accepts responsibility for any inaccuracies) has attempted to list the conditions for some people to get free College Courses, and the places where free or low cost English Lessons may be available to others. CLICK HERE to see version 13.
Resources for Teaching English (links via the national City of Sanctuary website) – https://cityofsanctuary.org/by-theme/esol/ .
For Asylum-Seeker and Refugee Parents: The Life Pregnancy Matters Centre at 12 Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton Town Centre, WV1 1DG (01902-420083) is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and may be able to provide items for babies and children, including push-chairs, cots and clothing, free. It can be accessed via the Life Charity Shop on the ground floor. They would welcome donations of baby equipment and items which can be sold in the shop. Collection of large items can be arranged (01902-420656). Email: [email protected] .
DOCUMENTS – LOCAL:
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is a NEW LOCAL LEAFLET, including “Henri’s Story”.
Click HERE to view as PDF.
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A Special Edition of the local Wolverhampton magazine “Collectivism“,
devoted to Wolverhampton City of Sanctuary and agencies working alongside asylum seekers and refugees,
is available at https://issuu.com/collectivism/docs/collectivism__09 .
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The “National Conversation on Immigration” visited Wolverhampton on Thursday July 6th, 2017. Click HERE to read a report on the event, and HERE to read the Interim Report on the whole national tour, including a summary of the views of Wolverhampton people (page 72). Wolverhampton City of Sanctuary were represented, among other organisations which we work with.
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The Anglican Diocese of Lichfield offer you 18 pages of stories illustrating some of the many ways in which members of churches across the Diocese support asylum seekers and refugees – Click HERE.
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Asylum Seekers and the Church A briefing paper produced in the Black Country. Please Right-Click Here and “save target as / link as” to download.
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The original readable Wolverhampton City of Sanctuary Constitution (as amended at the 2017 AGM on 11th January 2017). [Click to read, or right-click and “save target as / link as” to download a copy].
The new “Charitable Incorporated Organisation” Wolverhampton City of Sanctuary Constitution (dated 27th November 2017). All 18 pages of it! [Click to read, or right-click and “save target as / link as” to download a copy].
DOCUMENTS – NATIONAL:
Introduction to the British National Health Service in 43 languages! – CLICK HERE .
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In December 2018 we celebrated 70 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 14 states – “Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.” Read the illustrated version of the full Declaration HERE
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Useful BBC summary of facts about Unaccompanied Children – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36714617
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The Immigration Bill received Royal Assent on May 12th and became The Immigration Act 2016.
Link to Electronic Immigration Network briefing.
Link to Refugee Council briefing.
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The Sanctuary Summit 2014 was an unprecedented gathering of refugees, migrants, advocates and supporters from more than 100 civil society organisations across Britain who voted unanimously to work to stop the tide of negativity facing those who come to our shores. 400 participants at the first ever national ‘Sanctuary Summit’ in Birmingham declared they could no longer watch in silence as thousands are left to drown while fleeing for their lives, and others find themselves warehoused in refugee camps, barred from travelling to safety in the West.
Click Here to read the text of the Birmingham Declaration.
Click Here to see who has signed it.
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TRAINING MATERIALS:
Online Asylum Training Resources:
The Right to Remain Asylum Navigation Board is a way to understand each step of the UK asylum system. Participants can learn about what people going through the system and those supporting them can do to be in a better position. https://righttoremain.org.uk/asylum-navigation-board/ .
The Stages of a Young Person’s Asylum Journey – Similar to the above, “a guide to the main stages of the asylum process that young people (unaccompanied children) seeking asylum in the UK go through. The resource explains the major stages of the legal and support process, with innovative problem cards that “flip over” to reveal more information and actions people can take.” https://youngasylumguide.org.uk/ .
These are friendly versions of the original Right to Remain Toolkit which “gives an overview of the legal system and procedures, with detailed information on rights and options at key stages, and actions you can take in support of your claim, or to help someone else.” https://righttoremain.org.uk/toolkit/ .
If you missed the February 2018 Training Event, “A User-friendly Guide to the Asylum Process, Appeals and Fresh Claims”, Information can be found online: The Asylum Process at https://www.asylumaid.org.uk/the-asylum-process-made-simple/ , Appeals at https://www.gov.uk/upper-tribunal-immigration-asylum , and Fresh Claims at https://www.righttoremain.org.uk/legal/what-is-a-fresh-claim/ . These may not be up-to-date, and there are other guides available. Your legal advisor should have reliable up-to-date information.
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VIDEO and RADIO:
“From Us to You” is a 3-minute film aimed to let women seeking asylum know their rights before their asylum interviews – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGuZg0NiedE .
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Unaccompanied Child Refugees – BBC Womans Hour, February 2016. Click Here to listen (17 minutes). “The experiences of unaccompanied child refugees – we speak to a child asylum seeker and his foster mother. Kirsty McNeill of Save the Children talks to Jane about the growing problem of unaccompanied child migrants”.
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Seeking Refuge (BBC video)
Five real-life stories about young people fleeing their homelands to live in the UK, told by the children themselves. These films combine engaging testimony with rich animation and give a unique insight into the lives of young people who have sought asylum in the UK. Each of the films powerfully communicates the collective struggles and hopes of these young people and the issues they face adjusting to life in the UK.
The series explores themes including immigration, persecution, separation and alienation and aims to help educate students at Key Stage 2 and 3. However young people and adults of all ages can enjoy these films.
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5-minute video “The Destitution Trap”
Powerful short film featuring destitute refused asylum seekers talking about the devastating impact destitution has had on their lives, and their fears of returning home. For more info about what you can do to help go to www.refugee-action.org.uk.
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40-minute radio play “The Asylum Dialogues”
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The Moral Maze – Mediterranean migrants.
On BBC Radio 4 on June 10th, 2015, Michael Buerk and guests explored what our moral duty is to Mediterranean migrants. [43 minutes, Stereo].
Download mp3 Podcast (Right Click Here & “save target as / link as”). [40 Mb].
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OTHER:
Our local Refugee and Migrant Centre was named as Charity of the Year 2016 by the Guardian newspaper.
CLICK HERE to read the Press Release. CLICK HERE for the video.
30 new arrivals a week, and 60 or 70 existing clients every day.
CLICK HERE for some of the ways you can help the Wolverhampton-based Refugee and Migrant Centre of the Black Country.
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Wolverhampton Libraries have many true stories of life as a refugee, as well as Studies of the issues. Click HERE to see them in the online catalogue.
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For Children’s Fiction and Adult Fiction featuring life as a refugee, click HERE.
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Recommended Non-Fiction:
“Antigona & Me” by Kate Clanchy.
“Outcasts United” by Warren St John.
“Strength in What Remains” by Tracy Kidder.
Recommended Fiction:
“The Cellist of Sarajevo” by Steven Galloway.
“The Last Tram” by Nedim Gursel.
“The Other Hand” by Chris Cleave.
“The Registrar’s Manual for Detecting Forced Marriages” by Sophie Hardach.
“This is Where I Am” by Karen Campbell.