Serving destitute asylum seekers and refugees Report 2018
This is what we do:
provide a local compassionate infrastructure supporting people seeking sanctuary who become destitute deliver a sustainable programme of accommodation and support, enabling refugees to lead safe, healthy and fulfilling lives empower people seeking sanctuary to contribute to their communities and wider society encourage and equip churches (and others) locally and nationally to serve people seeking sanctuary work towards a more just asylum system where no one is left destitute 2
Life in all its fullness for people seeking sanctuary in the UK
Life certainly never stands still at Boaz. The last 12 months have seen our work continue to develop and grow as we have responded to the growing need and different opportunities we face. n 2017-18, we opened our new office in Hulme, were joined by four new staff members, launched two new Boaz houses, trained over 160 volunteers, piloted a women’s night shelter, delivered an expanded Boaz Life programme, and provided accommodation and support for 164 people who have sought asylum in the UK. In this report, we’ll unpack in more detail the progress made towards our key objectives.
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While there’s much to celebrate, there’s also much cause for concern beyond Boaz. A Boaz client said that he now feels the impact of the ‘hostile environment’ policy much more strongly. We have seen new measures introduced which limit access to health care, employment, education, banking and housing. There have been significant increases in immigration application fees alongside a reduction in legal aid provision for this area of work. People who have claimed asylum would previously have been granted
“temporary admission”, but they are now defined as being on “immigration bail” with new restrictions in place. All these changes create a justifiable sense of fear for so many people in communities across the UK. Against this backdrop, we continue to be inspired and motivated by our clients, volunteers and supporters. People who demonstrate a different way, sharing generosity, hospitality and welcome. We hope you’re encouraged by this report. Thank you for standing with us.
We hope you’re encouraged by this report. Thank you for standing with us. 1
Accommodation and support for people who have become destitute Providing accommodation and support for destitute asylum seekers is the core business of our work at Boaz, and in 2017-18, we increased the number of bed spaces we have available as we took on one new house for asylum seekers and piloted a women’s night shelter and emergency hosting alongside our men’s winter night shelter. Alongside our accommodation, clients in Boaz houses and hosting receive 1:1 support from a named support worker who meets with them regularly to offer support and practical help. “Since coming [to Boaz,] everything has changed and a new chapter has opened to me. I came here and have my own room, shower. They helped me for the food and I was able to eat something. Boaz supports me in everything unconditionally and they just generously offered me whatever I asked from them.” Ibrahim, Libya
62
refused asylum seekers were accommodated through shared houses and hosting
33
62
60+ 46-60 years
29
18-30 years
refused asylum Of the seekers 26 were aged 18-30, 22 were aged 31-45, 10 were aged 46-60, 4 were aged 60+
31-45 years
0 £1
£
910
weekly food allowances of £10 given out
2347 bus fares given out for significant appointments and activities
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Across all of our accommodation for people who have a positive or negative decision on their asylum claim:
164 people accommodated from 28 different countries
Afghanistan Bangladesh Botswana Cameroon DRC Egypt Eritrea Ethiopia Gambia Guinea India Iran Iraq Ivory Coast Kuwait Libya Malawi Nigeria Pakistan Palestine Somalia South Africa Sudan Syria Trinidad Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe
“Before Boaz it was so stressful. So much stress. If not for Boaz, I would be homeless and outside. When I came to Boaz, I lived with hosts. They were very good! Good TV, Internet! I was free in their home, to do what I want – it was like home. They were perfect.” Sita, Guinea
15 people submitted fresh claims to the Home Office
23,132
1949 bed spaces
provided through winter emergency accommodation
Nights of accommodation provided by Boaz
67 Number of men who stayed in the winter night shelter
“I was living with hosts who were really nice people, and welcomed me and helped me to feel at home in their house even though I was a stranger. I have no idea where I would be without Boaz. I would be on the streets.” Claudette, Cameroon
20 Number of women who stayed in the pilot winter night shelter/ emergency hosting scheme 3
Increasing the number of bed spaces available for women needing emergency accommodation through the winter: a pilot project Every winter, we receive referrals for women who are currently facing street homelessness, or who may have stayed or currently be staying in a mixed gender night shelter. Some of the women we have previously accommodated have told us that the only way they have previously secured somewhere to stay is in exchange for domestic work and childcare. Others have faced sexual exploitation and abuse in return for a roof over their heads. Unfortunately, we very rarely have spaces available in our regular accommodation. In order to address this need, in partnership with the British Red Cross, we have been exploring how best to offer emergency accommodation for women, in particular through the winter. From October to midDecember 2017, we piloted a women’s night shelter, mirroring the model we have successfully used for the men’s night shelter for 4
the last 10 years. We recruited a night shelter coordinator, who then identified 7 overnight church venues and an evening reception venue, and supported local volunteer coordinators in establishing and training teams of volunteers. During the first 11 weeks of the winter season, 15 women were referred to the night shelter and 10 women chose to stay there. Through feedback from clients, referrers, and volunteers it became apparent this model was not the best solution to the problem of destitution amongst refugee and asylum seeking women. As a result of this, we transitioned to an emergency hosting scheme for women. From December through till the end of the season, we provided a further placements for 10 women who
all had nowhere else to turn. One of the women we accommodated this winter was Fatima, a refugee from Iran. She had been sleeping under a bridge in Manchester city centre as she wasn’t a priority for housing. Fatima attended our office and we were able to give her some hot food, toiletries, and importantly, a safe warm, dry bed thanks to our incredible hosts.
“It’s an amazing feeling to know that we are able to say to street homeless women like Fatima, for example: “Tonight, you’re going to be safe”. The experience of supporting Fatima made me realise the difference emergency hosting can make; without it, she didn’t know where she would go. Everywhere Fatima tried, she didn’t fit into their category or they weren’t able to offer her support. Hosting offers dignity and safety for people who have had everything taken away from them.” Esme, client support worker
“Where would I stay without Boaz? I don’t know! Where would I go? I was homeless before – when I first arrived in the UK, I slept outside in London. I didn’t know where anything was, and I had to sleep outside. I cried all the night, I was afraid too much, I thought I was going crazy, afraid all the night, every time someone comes near you; you cry. I cannot be homeless again, it is too difficult to happen again. The night shelter is better than the street. It is really difficult for women who are homeless – they need help because they will be afraid. Maybe men are not afraid and the only problem they have is the weather. For women, maybe people kick her, shout at her, maybe people force her to have sex and maybe she says yes because she has no choice and wants to be in a house.” Nazreen, Pakistan 5
Housing and support for refugees When someone is granted refugee status, they have just 28 days after receiving that decision before their asylum accommodation and support ends. In that 28 day window they need to obtain identity documents, find housing, secure employment and apply for any benefits they may be entitled to. Unsurprisingly, a significant number of new refugees are unable to get everything in place within 28 days and therefore they end up homeless and destitute again. In order to address the growing problem of refugee homelessness, we have developed a new model of refugee housing, in partnership with local housing associations, to increase the number of shared houses available for our refugee clients. Under this model,
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we took on a new property in partnership with Arawak Walton, a local black and minority ethnic housing association based here in Manchester. During the second half of the year, we recruited our first dedicated refugee support
Number of refugees who were accommodated in our shared houses
20 Number of refugees who were accommodated through Boaz’s emergency winter accommodation
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worker who is developing our package of support for refugee clients; we have already seen a positive impact from this, as we are able to offer time and space for clients to dream dreams, and share their hopes and plans for the future.
CONTRACT
19 people
gained new employment
19 15
people enrolled in college/higher education
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Rami fled to the UK from Libya, only to find himself homeless and destitute after his asylum claim was refused. Boaz were able accommodate and support Rami, first through the night shelter, and then in a Boaz house. After being granted leave to remain in the UK, Rami moved into our new refugee house during 2017and is making plans for the months and years ahead. “I was homeless. I was on Stockport Road, on the street. I lacked nutrition, I had no toilet, I was continuously cold. You know one thing I did not lack? The sound of passing cars. That is one thing that I did not lack. There is no scale for sleeping on the street. It is incredibly scary. To go from sleeping on the street, rain in your face, to walking into a warm place, eating hot food and meeting people who genuinely care about you… the Boaz night shelter is the best time in the UK that I’ve had. The best experience, with the best people. I don’t think that there is any better than what I received. When I entered my room in the Boaz house, I had a feeling that my life was about to recover… I mean, I now have a toilet?! Until
you are homeless, you do not know how important a toilet is. The toilet was an incredible thing. Boaz gave me money for a bus pass. The bus pass has given me so much freedom. I can now do so many activities, and I try and do all the activities that I can! In the next few months I want to find a job. For me, a job is not just something. It’s a basic right. My background is a computer accountant. I worked in both of these areas in Libya. I have an accounting qualification from Open University and two Masters Degrees in computing, one from Libya and one from Egypt. I hope to be able to use these skills.
Boaz has been my umbrella to me. In any bad situation I had my Boaz umbrella and it sheltered me. My best times in the UK have been with Boaz. First in the night shelter, and then in the house.” Rami, a refugee from Libya
Libya
I hope to return to my home country if it has settled down. I want to be back and reunited with my family. 7
Empowering and equipping people One of the things that we have learned at Boaz over the years is that while our accommodation is vital, the wider support that we are able to offer our clients can make a significant difference to both physical and mental wellbeing. This year we have been working with clients to expand and develop our Boaz Life programme of activities, and thanks to our volunteers and partner organisations we have been able to offer a wider programme than ever before. As people grow in confidence, they often feel more confident to make progress with their asylum claim, having the strength and resilience to attend meetings with solicitors, or medical experts. Ultimately, this can lead to them being able to move on from Boaz, either while they wait for a Home Office decision on their new evidence or, in some cases, when they have been granted leave to remain in the UK.
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“Boaz helped me mainly by giving my psychological and emotional support as well as gave me a place to stay. I am especially thankful for the client support workers who were like a guardian angel to me.� Tariq, Libya
7 current and former clients were granted Leave to Remain
15 people made further
submissions to the Home Office (fresh claims)
“Before ... I was very uncomfortable. But then I came to Boaz and in my mind I was safe. Boaz is trust. You can trust the people at Boaz. Boaz is the first place that I was open and confident. When I came to Boaz I became accepting of love. It was like family. I could be trusting rather than suspicious or scared. Now I have submitted my Fresh Claim.” James, DRC “Although I can’t go to college here in the UK, at this moment I am able to understand people and to talk a little in English, thanks to Boaz!” Marta, Eritrea “Boaz has helped a lot. Because I was homeless, I didn’t have anywhere to go. Boaz helped me by giving me somewhere to stay and by helping with my case. I have done 2 fresh claims whilst I have been at Boaz. Boaz helped me a lot.”
Boaz support workers
576
meetings had with clients “My confidence, my English, my clothes are all thanks to Boaz. I have been skiing [in Manchester]! I have been to the Lake District. I have made friends. I feel like a citizen – I actually feel like I have integrated.” James, DRC
“I don’t worry so much now, I feel different. I was in a desperate situation. I used to think I had to do everything on my own. But now I realise there are people around to support and help me. Boaz has made me feel like I can do something.” Feroze, Iran
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monthly Free Shops plus “specials” at Christmas!
91% of clients attended our Boaz Life activities 20 different Boaz Life activities took place during the
year (cooking, English, theatre trips, day trips, gardening, art projects, laser quest, climbing wall, cinema…)
Olivier, DRC 9
Churches and other organisations equipped to support refugees in their communities In 2017-18 we took part in 20 speaking engagements at churches, schools and other organisations, giving us the opportunity to speak to hundreds of people about our work and perhaps more importantly, about the challenges facing asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. In partnership with Jubilee+, we launched R2C2, the Refugee Resource Centre for Churches. This is an online resource hub for churches seeking to support asylums seekers and refugees. (www.refugeeresourcecentre forchurches.org.uk) We believe that offering opportunities for volunteering is an essential way of breaking down barriers as well as providing an opportunity to build relationships and understanding together. This year over 300 volunteers have supported our work, mostly through the winter night shelters but also through running Boaz Life activities like gardening or day trips, as well as through the Free Shop.
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“I’ve been volunteering with Boaz for a few years now. It’s a chance to bless others and to help where there is a need. I have a great admiration for those who do the frontline work – I don’t know if I would be able to do that, but I can do work behind the scenes. I feel valued and appreciated as a volunteer – the team are always bringing me cups of tea!” Liz, office volunteer “I find happiness in helping other people. It’s my way of giving back - Boaz has given me a lot. I was desperate, and Boaz saved me. For me, Boaz made a big shift in my life and I want to give back and show appreciation for what I’ve received. I have got experience of the night shelter, and I know how to deal with people and treat people. I welcome people. I serve them refreshments. Not all the volunteers can speak other languages, so I can help with translation and help other volunteers. When people are stressed or there are disputes, I can calm people down.” Boutros, night shelter volunteer and former client
Advocacy and engagement to see a more just asylum system This year has been a particularly challenging one, in terms of seeing any progress towards a more just asylum system with no destitution. One of our former clients commented recently that he was increasingly feeling the impact of the hostile environment in his day to day life. Despite these challenges, we’ve proactively worked with other likeminded organisations, working together to bring change in the asylum process, for example the Manchester Homeless Partnership Faith Network and Migrant Destitution Action Group, the national No Accommodation Network and the Strategic Alliance on Migrant Destitution. At Boaz, we believe that we have personal stories, expertise, and evidence to share, which can make a significant contribution to the debate. We’re really grateful to clients who have been willing to contribute to research and consultations this year, and we hope to do more of this advocacy work in the future.
“When I came to this country, I didn’t know much about the UK or the asylum system and it was scary thinking about who you can trust. Sometimes, in Boaz, I have been very poorly and on medication. But going out and speaking, it helps me. And meeting other people helps. Sometimes people meet me and they don’t know my situation – an example is when I am volunteering. I am good at it, and people are surprised that I don’t have a job, and then I say that I am not allowed to work and I have been refused. When people meet me, I can help them understand some of the ways the Home Office work and the wrong decisions they make. I think the asylum system can be changed, and it needs to change. Everywhere we go, we have a tag – like a tag on your clothes, everyone can know. I don’t want people to judge me as an asylum seeker or refugee. Get to know me as a person and then judge me. Before the UK, I was working but my circumstances changed and it wasn’t safe so I needed to leave. There’s no place like home, and I miss it but I need to be safe. Not many people in the UK understand the asylum system but when I open up and share then people understand the situation.” Amie, GAMBIA 11
Priorities for the year ahead Looking ahead: our priorities for 2018-19 Demand for our accommodation and support is increasing. We currently have over 100 people across our waiting lists and this year we have accommodated people at more stages of the asylum process, including people who are waiting to claim asylum, those who are in the process but are experiencing delays in accessing support, and those who are made homeless following a decision on their asylum claim. We believe that as an organisation, we are more resilient than ever in terms of staffing, infrastructure and governance but we recognise the need to continue to develop and grow across these areas, making sure that we are flexible enough to respond to changes locally, regionally and nationally.
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Therefore, our core priorities for the year ahead include:
» Growing our provision
of refugee housing and support
» Increasing the number of bed spaces for destitute asylum seekers
» Exploring opportunities to develop further into Greater Manchester
» Improving the support for clients moving on from Boaz especially into asylum support
» Developing and refining our internal processes and systems (including data protection, HR, finance) in line with best practice and legal changes
Through working towards our existing objectives and our priorities for the year ahead, we will keep focussed on our vision, which is to see life in all its fullness for people seeking sanctuary in the UK.
“Before Boaz, my life was completely broken; I was sleeping rough, it was the most difficult time of my life. Then I came to Boaz, and everything changed. They accommodated me, they helped me with food, supported me and generously offered me whatever I needed. Boaz was a safe place for me.” Bello, Libya
Acknowledgement of donors/supporters
We are grateful to everyone who has made our work possible during 2017-18 including the following trusts and foundations: 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust
Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales
A B Charitable Trust
Manchester Guardian Society
Allchurches Trust
Marsh Christian Trust
British Red Cross
Odin Charitable Trust
Church Welfare Association
Oglesby Charitable Trust
Comic Relief
Pat Newman Memorial Trust
Garfield Weston Foundation
Persula Foundation
Gloag Foundation
SMB Charitable Trust
Henry Smith Charity
Souter Charitable Trust
Issachar Foundation
Treeside Trust
Leigh Trust
Westhill Endowment Trust
We also wish to thank the many individuals, churches, community groups and other organisations who have supported our work this year.
Thank you for standing with us.
Thank you for reading.
Please say hello: The Boaz Trust Kath Locke Centre 123 Moss Lane East Manchester M15 5DD T 0161 202 1056 E info@boaztrust.org.uk
theboaztrust
@boaztrust
www.boaztrust.org.uk Registered charity in England and Wales no. 1110344