Taking action, changing lives Five years, five goals Refugee Action’s strategic plan 2014 – 2019
Yodet, from Eritrea, in Refugee Action’s house for destitute asylum seekers, funded by our donors.
Taking action, changing lives. Five years, five goals Our plan to achieve change for the people we support over the next five years. We are outraged at what refugees and asylum seekers have to go through in our communities, towns and cities in Britain today. They deserve better. These are the people who stand up to tyranny and state abuse and are exposed to torture, rape and murder. They are at the front line of the global battle for all of our human rights. Despite being a signatory of the UN convention on refugees, the UK tolerates an asylum system which
Five years, five goals
fails to give them the support they need to get protection, build their lives in the UK or return home with dignity. People who could enrich our communities in some cases are left without any shelter and without support; completely destitute.
Refugee Action’s five year plan has five goals to change this. It’s about taking action to see a reality where refugees are welcomed, respected and safe.
1
All refugees will have a means of survival.
2
The UK will have a fair asylum system.
3
Refugees will be part of our society.
4
Refugees will be able to thrive.
5
Refugees will have a better prospect of finding work.
Why we’re taking action Our beliefs We believe in human rights. We believe in fairness and equality. We believe that no one seeking asylum in the UK should be left destitute. Together, we can create a society where people escaping armed conflict, torture and persecution are welcomed, supported and given the opportunity to build their own future. Our essential purpose We work with refugees to build new lives. We are there throughout the difficult and complex asylum journey. By empowering people through information and advice, we help refugees to make the right decisions for them about their future.
And we won’t stop until there is an asylum system which treats everyone fairly,respects people’s human rights and leaves no one destitute. Who do we support? The people we support have challenged injustice, stood up to oppression and courageously left their homes behind to escape violence and even death. They are the heroes of human rights. And they deserve to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect.
Goal one
All refugees will have a means of survival
The asylum journey is fraught with periods of destitution. Asylum seekers are banned from working, but are denied access to benefits. We are campaigning for fair access to the support they deserve.
“
When they refused my application for asylum I was devastated. I found myself living on the streets. If I was lucky someone would let me sleep on their sofa but it was only for a couple of nights. I couldn’t work, couldn’t get any money from anywhere, was scared every single day that I was going to be arrested, attacked or worse. In the beginning I didn’t want to accept charity from people, I was too proud, but this situation means you have no choice.
”
Our aims • To make sure that asylum seekers have the support they need as soon as they need it. • To increase the cash support rates for asylum seekers to at least 70% of mainstream support.
• To end uneccessary restrictions on asylum seeker’s right to work. • To make sure that no one is left destitute and without options.
• To make sure there is safe and habitable housing for asylum seekers in the UK.
Nearly half of asylum seekers we asked have missed a meal because they can’t afford to eat.
1in2
HAVE MISSED A MEAL
Taken from Refugee Action’s research on support rates and their impact, July 2013
Goal two
The UK will have a fair asylum system
Currently, the Home Office decides who is granted and refused asylum. A quarter of all refused initial decisions on asylum are wrong – and overturned at appeal. We will fight for a fairer system, with decisions made by a body which recognises human rights and is separate from political influence.
“
When I was told that my solicitor wouldn’t help me because I didn’t have any money to pay him, I felt like my life was ending. I knew that if I returned home, I would face certain death, but I just couldn’t understand how to apply for asylum here. How could I fight for my life if I didn’t know how the system worked? It was too complicated for me to face it on my own.
”
Our aims • To make sure that asylum seekers have all the advice they need in order to make an informed decision about their own lives. • To pilot different ways of giving advice to ensure that asylum seekers have the best chance of understanding the legal process they go through. • To gather in-depth information on the experiences of asylum seekers so that our advocacy places asylum seekers’ needs at its heart. • To develop and advocate for an asylum determination system that is fair.
More than a quarter of first time asylum claim decisions are wrong and overturned at appeal. Taken from Home Office Statistics, 2010-2012
• To make sure individuals are fully supported in order to build a sustainable future, either in the UK or, if they choose to return, back home. • To stop the detention of people who choose to voluntarily return. • To campaign for a voluntary return process that is fair and transparent and that is based on sustainable development.
Goal three
Refugees will be part of our society
Today, refugees and asylum seekers find it hard to participate in civil society on a local, regional and national scale. We seek to change that, help them get involved with organisations and find a voice in the UK.
“
I think it’s important that refugees have a voice in their communities. They are part of the UK, part of their local communities and should be able to speak up about what their circumstances and situations are. It’s a struggle, especially because the perceptions of refugees and asylum seekers here are very negative. Refugees can change the stereotypes of themselves if they speak out and challenge the fear some people have of them.
”
Our aims • To create ways to allow our work to be shaped by the truth of the experience of the people we support.
• To understand the barriers which stop refugees from fully participating in civil society and work to overcome these.
• To run services for refugees, shaped by refugees.
• To challenge the damaging myths and promote respect for the people we support.
• To give refugees the tools they need to empower their peers.
The British public believe that 23% of the world’s refugees and asylum seekers are living in Britain. It’s actually only 2.5% – about the same as it was in 1989. Taken from a 2009 Mori Poll
23%
perceived
2.5% actual
Goal four
Refugees will be able to thrive
Too many refugees are isolated, worried and traumatised. We help them live happier, more secure lives by encouraging them to learn a new skill, volunteer, get involved in sport and meet new friends.
“
Before I started going to the cycling club I had a dark cloud over me. I like the club because I do not remember the bad things that happened to me when I am here. I meet friends and every week my English gets better.
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Our aims • To partner with other organisations to run innovative projects, which lead to significant increases in emotional health and wellbeing. • To build and implement the first model that properly defines and measures refugee wellbeing.
• To make sure that refugees have their voices heard so that they are able to design mainstream emotional health and wellbeing services for their peers.
• To use this model and its evidence to lobby for changes to public policy and perceptions of refugee emotional health and wellbeing.
Two thirds of refugee women are kept awake at night through depression, nightmares and anxiety. Taken from Refugee Action research ‘Is it safe here: Refugee women’s experiences in the UK’ 2002
Goal five
Refugees will have a better prospect of finding work
Refugees find it especially hard to secure employment. Language barriers and bureaucracy mean even professionals miss out when they come to this country. Through advice, support and mentoring, we will be helping refugees to start working again.
“
I was finally safe, after what felt like years of fighting to prove I couldn’t go home, I was told I could stay in the UK. Immediately, I started to look for a job. A job means you can make friends, you can progress, start to rebuild your life and this is all anyone wants, isn’t it? I’m still looking now but it’s so important, I’ll keep trying, every single day.
”
Our aims • To promote a positive narrative around refugee employment. • To form mutually beneficial partnerships with employers to help refugees. • To see an increase in refugee entrepreneurs.
• To create an extensive evidence base showing the disadvantages faced by refugees in the UK job market. • To support refugees with mentors to help them access work.
NATIONAL POPULATION
7.8
%
UNEMPLOYED
The national unemployment rate is 7.8%, the refugee unemployment rate is 44%. Taken from MREP research in 2013 and national unemployment figures 2013
REFUGEE POPULATION
44%
UNEMPLOYED
We’re committed to action Refugee Action is committed to carrying out this strategy and its success is based on: Wherever possible, we will work with other organisations to ensure we’re as effective as we can be, whether in the UK or with our overseas partners. We will put the people we support at the heart of everything we do. Throughout the strategy and every project and piece of advocacy work we develop, we are committed to engaging with the asylum seekers and refugees we help at every level. Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do as they’re able to help reach above and beyond what we can achieve on our own.
Your support can make this happen We need people like you to stand up for refugees and asylum seekers. Together we can make life better for people who bravely stand up to tyranny, abuse and murder, even though it can often endanger their own lives. They deserve our support and they deserve better from the UK. To donate, please visit our website: www.refugee-action.org.uk Or, if you’d like more information on our goals and how we plan to achieve them, give us a ring on 0845 894 2536.
Taking action, changing lives. Five years, five goals 2014 – 2019
w: www.refugee-action.org.uk t: 0845 894 2536 e: info@refugee-action.org.uk Refugee Action Victoria Charity Centre 11 Belgrave Road London SW1V 1RB We will not stop until every refugee feels welcome, respected and safe. Help us make this happen by remembering Refugee Action in your Will. www.refugee-action.org.uk/legacy Registered Charity no: 283660. Registered Company no: 1593454