Practical
examples – Asylum seekers
A head start to a new life
Asylum seekers are one of the most disadvantaged groups living in many towns
and cities across the UK. They are often stuck in a legal and social limbo where
their future is uncertain and they feel marginalised in their new communities.
They have few rights as asylum seekers: they are not generally allowed to work
and access to vocational training is very limited. Many asylum seekers spend
many months and even years waiting for a decision on their asylum applications.
By the time they are granted refugee status and therefore the right to stay in
the UK, they have spent a long time just waiting and hoping, without the
opportunity to work or study in the meantime to make the most of their time and
prepare effectively for a new life in a new country.
With the adoption of the European Union Directive on the reception of asylum
seekers[1],
organisations working with asylum seekers hoped that the requirements of the new
European law would make a difference at the national level. In response to the
EU Directive, UK law was changed in February 2005: asylum seekers may apply for
permission "to take up certain types of employment if, through no fault of their
own, a decision on their asylum application has not been taken within 12
months". However, hope has turned to dismay: many asylum seekers who have
applied for this permission to work have been turned down. As a result, the new
European law, despite its good intentions, does not seem to have made a
significant change for asylum seekers in the UK.
Faced with this situation where they cannot make their own living, asylum
seekers are forced into a state of dependency. They receive a minimum of support
for their everyday needs through the National Asylum Support Service (NASS).
However, they are offered no government support towards their professional,
education and training needs which would help them prepare for their eventual
entry into employment, and make their integration into wider society as a
result, smoother and quicker. Such valuable and vital professional and
educational support is only offered later on, when an asylum seeker receives a
positive decision and becomes a recognised refugee.
In order to fill this void, non-governmental organisations and charities
assisting asylum seekers in the UK are trying to help them make the most of
their time spent in the UK from day one. The EQUAL programme has provided
valuable financial support to programmes aiming to promote the socio-vocational
integration of asylum seekers for which there is an urgent need. The North
London Aspire EQUAL Development Partnership supports asylum seekers living in
four North London boroughs by offering valuable services which aim to empower
them to participate and contribute to their host community. "Educational and
vocational support must start from the day an asylum seeker arrives in the UK,"
explains Sarah Nansukusa, London Aspire Project Director. "Asylum seekers cannot
afford to wait for such support only when they are granted refugee status. All
the valuable time in between would be lost. The goal of North London Aspire is
to offer training and support to address their social and emotional needs, and
keep people motivated."
Asylum seekers concentrating in one of the courses organised by the Haringey Aspire DP
The Partnership has developed several innovative training programmes
specially designed for the needs of asylum seekers which provide them with the
skills they need to build a new life once they have access to employment. These
practical training courses aim to empower participants and make a positive
impact on their lives by encouraging them to be active in their communities.
The partnership is led by the Uganda Community Relief Association (UCRA), a
refugee community organisation which has been serving asylum seekers and
refugees in London for the past 25 years. The other DP partners include: the
North London Partnership Consortium, Positive Care Link, Haringey Council, and
the London North Learning Skills Council. The partnership offers its services in
the North London boroughs of Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, and Waltham Forest where
large populations of asylum seekers and refugees live.
Valuable skills for a new life
Asylum seekers are eager to learn how to make their own living and contribute
to the host society as soon as possible. The North London Aspire partnership
examined their needs and developed training programmes designed to give them the
skills they need to enter a competitive labour market, either in the UK when
they can eventually access employment, or in another country.
A 12-week training programme in entrepreneurship was successfully launched
and completed this year. 20 asylum seekers from a variety of backgrounds learned
how to run their own business through practical classes on business skills
covering topics such as personal finance, developing a business plan, budgeting,
communication skills, as well as personal development skills to build confidence
and motivation. Group activities which encouraged participants to work as a team
and develop socialisation skills. This training programme has empowered asylum
seekers to take a proactive approach to their future by giving them the tools
and skills to start their own business. Due to the success of the programme and
popular demand, the training programme will run again early next year.
Another popular programme launched by the partnership is the training
programme in multimedia which introduces digital and multimedia skills to
participants, allowing them to master new technologies and learn how they can
put them to use. Participants are introduced to digital media through the use of
cameras, word processing and desktop publishing software. Using these media,
asylum seekers are able to tell their own stories and communicate their
experiences to a wider audience while making contact with the wider community.
Two happy participants with their certificates
Another innovative programme which focuses on empowerment is the
partnership's community leadership training programme. Asylum seekers are
encouraged to develop their leadership and motivational skills so that they can
be more active and make a contribution to their local communities. The first
step to becoming more involved at the community level is to learn how it works.
Participants learn about regeneration and community policies, and how local,
regional, national policies are formulated and implemented. Topics covering
leadership theory, personal and motivational skills, communication skills, and
team building empowers participants to realise their own potential and provides
the motivation to engage and participate in their communities. Participants have
the opportunity to put the skills learned during the training programme into
practice through volunteer placements with community organisations. This gives
participants a chance to work together with other members of the wider community
and provides them with direct insight into local and national issues. 12
participants took part in the first round of the 12-week training programme,
which will be repeated in the near future.
Dembe (not her real name) from Uganda tells how she was able to benefit from
the training programme in community leadership: "The course was an opportunity
for me to learn about my community and how it works. I also learned how the
government works, how the Council spends taxes and how laws are made. I didn't
know my way around before and now I feel like I can stand on my own. The
programme has also helped me on a personal level. It made me feel like I'm
somebody and that I'm not stuck at home and have somewhere to go. I have made
friends and met others who are in the same situation. I thought I was alone, but
there are others in the same boat. I also found the volunteer placement very
good because it gave me a chance to get some experience and also get references
which can be useful in the future."
The first point of contact
North London Aspire also offers a variety of orientation and information
services to asylum seekers. It is the first point of contact for many asylum
seekers arriving in the north of London from African countries such as the Congo
and Somalia, as well as from China and many other countries across the globe.
The men and women who come through their doors are not only new arrivals. Many
clients are long-term asylum seekers, who have been in the UK for over a year or
even much longer. Some have special needs or suffer from chronic health
problems, including HIV/AIDS. Many face language barriers, problems of isolation
and feelings of vulnerability and powerlessness.
Staff are on hand to offer all the information and guidance a newcomer needs
when arriving in a new country including help with finding accommodation and
information on community and healthcare services, as well as expert advice on
the asylum application process. Specialised support is also provided for people
living with HIV and AIDS. Social events and recreational activities like
aerobics classes are held on a regular basis so that clients can be active and
meet other people living in their community.
Services covering basic needs are complemented by training and courses which
help asylum seekers to make use of their potential and develop new skills which
they can put to use as soon as possible. The first step to becoming part of a
new community is to speak the same language. English language classes are
offered on an on-going basis so that asylum seekers can improve their everyday
communication skills. Classes in basic IT, such as typing and how to use the
Internet are also very popular. "The aim is to keep people motivated and help
them to retain their existing skills while acquiring new ones," says Nathan
Williams, London Aspire Project Manager. "Our activities also address social
and emotional needs. Our clients come into contact with other people who are in
the same situation and learn how they have been able to achieve. This is
inspiring and motivating for them."
Making an impact from the bottom up
Mainstreaming, or letting others know about successful results, encourages
the transfer of good practices to other organizations working with asylum
seekers and has the potential to influence and improve policies and practices.
This is one of the most important objectives of the EQUAL programme.
Never too young to learn
The London Aspire partnership has included a mainstreaming strategy right
from the beginning so that the key results and lessons arising from their
activities and experiences could be communicated to the right audiences. Having
local government bodies as partners helps: the London Aspire partnership
includes policy-makers from the local authority as well as the North London
Learning and Skills Council (LSC) which is responsible for planning and funding
high-quality vocational education and training for all. By having such important
partners contributing to the partnership, they are made aware of the value of
the programmes and activities implemented during the lifetime as well as the
positive results. This can help to ensure the continuity of these programmes.
"Impact starts at the local level," explains Sarah Nansukusa, "The LSC and the
Council are our partners. They see the results and impacts coming out of our
activities directly. This can eventually impact on the regional and national
policy levels too."
The London Aspire partnership's emphasis on empowerment is also included in
its mainstreaming strategy. "Participants are encouraged to participate and take
an active part in mainstreaming events so that they can influence the policies
which affect them," says Nathan Williams: "Through meetings, conferences and
other events, they come in direct contact with national policy-makers and are
able to tell them about their experiences." The active participation of the
asylum seekers who have benefited from the partnership's activities and
programmes in mainstreaming events is an empowering and rewarding experience for
them. This also strengthens the key messages directed to policy makers and
service providers. By speaking about their experiences, participants have told
others how they were able to benefit from receiving specialised training from
day one.
Contact details
Sarah Nansukusa
North London Aspire DP
Uganda Community Relief Association (UCRA)
Selby Centre, Selby Road
Tottenham, London N17 8JL
UK
Tel. +44 20 8808 6221
Fax: +44 20 8808 3988
e-mail: sarah@ucra.org
[1]
The Reception Directive was adopted by the EU Council of Ministers in
2003. The EU Member States were required to transpose and implement the
Directive into national law by February 2005.
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