United for Change coalition launches to fight destitution
Article published: Wednesday, June 22nd 2011
Monday June 20 saw ‘United for Change’ host a conference at Salford University titled ‘No to Homelessness and Cashlessness’. The new coalition, which includes a number of local asylum and refugee campaign and advocacy groups, have recognised the need for united action against the destitution of people seeking asylum.
The number of destitute asylum seekers in Greater Manchester is unknown, but according to the Boaz Trust – who provide housing to destitute asylum seekers by teaming them up with people who are happy to lend out a spare room – and other refugee charities, there may be thousands.
Groups present at the event included Revive Action Group, Salford Forum for Refugees and People Seeking Asylum, Refugee Action, Women Asylum Seekers Together (WAST), and Community Pride Unit. Though the conference explored issues such as the unequal power relationships for those seeking asylum between the ‘host’ and the ‘guest’ or ‘stranger’, it was also a place to provide opportunities to take action together. Members of Revive, Salford Refugee Forum and WAST performed a play about a young woman who arrived as a minor who ended up working on the streets and in destitution while pregnant, while speakers from Revive, Salford Refugee Forum and the Boaz Trust shared personal experiences and testimonies, practically and emotionally, of becoming destitute and supporting those who have.
The Boaz Trust are currently housing 39 women and nine men. The Trust has 100 people on the waiting list, but director David Smith said they also have another 500 people who enquire about space but who do not leave a name. Anna Turner from Revive further highlighted the scale of the crisis to those assembled, quoting figures from Asylum Support Housing Advice (ASHA), who specialise in providing destitution casework in Manchester. In 2010 ASHA held two advice sessions each week and saw 3,315 clients, averaging 64 per week.
Local GP Dr Rebecca Farrington, who works specifically with asylum seekers, spoke about the complex health issues surrounding destitution, while Denise McDowell of Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU) focused on cuts being made to legal aid. GMIAU and South Manchester Law Centre have for many months been fighting funding cuts which they say will leave asylum seekers, who are not allowed to work, in particular in increasingly vulnerable situations.
A representative from Oxfam spoke about research by the Centre for Migration Policy Research (CMPR) at Swansea University titled ‘Coping with Destitution‘. Workshops took place in the afternoon about campaigning methods, community care and housing rights for people without recourse to public funds, and also the work of Freedom from Torture (formally the Medical Foundation).
At the end of the conference it was suggested that United for Change should undertake research into ascertaining the true numbers of those living destitute in Greater Manchester. A second idea of looking into the economic value of voluntary work by those made destitute who are unable to work though was met with some concern from the floor, particularly about how such research might be used. One speaker raised doubts over its potential effectiveness, especially when the Conservative government is “wanting us all to do everything for nothing” under the rhetoric of the ‘Big Society’.
The conference was part of Salford Refugee Week which runs till Saturday 25 June, details of which can be found here. United for Change hope to have monthly meetings to bring together all the groups currently working to tackle destitution. They would like to invite those with an interest whether they are organisations or individuals. If you would like more information the group can be contacted here.
Jane Stratton
More: Migration and asylum, News
Comments
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The taxpayers of the UK could afford to pay more to prevent homelessness and cashlessness if they didn’t have to pay for such absurdly generous pensions for people who just happen to work for the government.
Comment by simon on June 23, 2011 at 1:01 am
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