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Refugee Awareness Project

The Refugee Awareness Project offers local groups the opportunity to learn more about asylum in the UK by talking to trained speakers from the local community, including individuals who have first-hand experience of exile themselves.

Why is this project needed?

Refugee Action has become increasingly concerned for the safety of our clients. In some areas where we work, one in two of our clients have experienced harassment or abuse. Overall one in five of our clients have experienced harassment.

As well as coming face to face with hostility, too many of our clients are living in fear. Through two different pieces of research (Is it Safe here? and Client Feedback on Refugee Action's One Stop Services) we know that:

• 50% of our clients are worried about being subjected to harassment or abuse because they are an asylum seeker
• 33% of refugee and asylum seeking women say they feel unsafe

and

• 83% of refugee and asylum seekers say they do not go out at night as they are scared of abuse and harassment.
  

  
  
  Aygun with her children
  

"Children on the estate are throwing stones at us, smashing our windows and calling us names. They are making racist attacks on us. One of our neighbours threw a lit cigarette at my child. I am afraid to go out and I keep my children locked inside the house." Aygun, 34 (pictured right)

There are many complex reasons for the harassment that our clients face. Numerous myths circulate, fuelled by some sections of the media and the rhetoric of politicians, which contribute to an increasing climate of hostility towards asylum seekers and refugees.

Along with overt harassment are the more subtle forms of prejudice that can hurt; for example, being ignored in the work canteen when people find out you are a refugee, or being stared at and laughed at in the street.

Our Refugee Awareness Project aims to make communities better informed and more welcoming for refugees and asylum seekers and ensure that our clients begin to feel safer and less threatened.

What does the project do?

• Gives training to refugee volunteers and British volunteers from the local community to enable them to go out to local groups and explain to them what life is like as a refugee and why people flee. Many of our staff and clients tell us that the hostility they face from individuals often changes when they hear a personal story and find out the facts rather than relying on myths and rumours.
  
• Speaks to influential organisations in local communities such as schools, groups working with young people, groups using volunteers of all ages, representative and membership groups, business groups, faith groups, and sports clubs and associations. Volunteers will give presentations that will help to challenge myths, address concerns, and give people the chance to meet a refugee and hear their story.
  
• Encourages groups to be proactive – wherever possible organisations will be encouraged to raise awareness amongst their own members as well as initiating practical measures to welcome refugees.
  

The project is based on a successful pilot project that we carried out in Nottingham.

"When I tell people my story I often see a change in their attitude. When people hear the real facts about asylum they sometimes think again."
Alain, project volunteer

 

Where is the project based?

This is a national project and is based in Liverpool, Nottingham and Bristol, where the need is greatest.

Bristol Evening Post article on RAP Bristol

How can I get involved?

Our speakers are visiting groups around the country, so if you are interested in inviting our speakers to come and talk to your group, then please contact your regional project worker for more information.

We are currently recruiting for volunteer speakers to join our team. If you are interested in training to be a Refugee Awareness Project speaker or helping the project in a support role, please contact the project workers to learn more about the application and training process or visit the volunteering pages for Liverpool, Bristol or Nottingham.

 

Useful materials

Mobiles, Money and Mayhem: The facts and fibs about asylum

The Refugee Awareness Project has produced a myth-busting pocket guide which aims to put information at people’s fingertips so they can influence others. For real copies email nationalrap@refugee-action.org.uk or call 020 7654 0673 or download.

Mobiles, Money and Mayhem pocket books:

Mobiles, Money and Mayhem national version
Mobiles, Money and Mayhem East Midlands version
Mobiles, Money and Mayhem North West version
Mobiles, Money and Mayhem South West version

Refugee Awareness Project talk leaflet:

Refugee Awareness Project A4 flyer

Information sheets on asylum numbers to the UK (Oct 2007).
These are in various formats - pdf (designed) - colour or black and white and in Word template. They are also available in long and short versions:

Info sheet on asylum numbers colour pdf - INDEPTH
Info sheet on asylum numbers black and white pdf - INDEPTH
Info sheet on asylum numbers colour pdf - KEY POINTS
Info sheet on asylum numbers black and white pdf - KEY POINTS

Info sheet on asylum numbers colour - INDEPTH
Info sheet on asylum numbers black and white - KEY POINTS

We also have stickers available which are popular at events. Contact our Waterloo office for these, or for any of the publications above as hard copies.

 

News

Inspirational theatre production looking for local performance venues

From 25 June 2006 Asylum Monologues starts touring.

Asylum Monologues is a moving account of the UK’s asylum system. With personal testimony at its core combined with public opinion, political statements and statistical fact, this production shows what it really means to be displaced in the UK. Ice and Fire production company wants to perform Asylum Monologues in local venues such as churches, community centres, schools, shopping centres, as well as more conventional performance spaces. For more info go to: Asylum monologues

20 Jun 2006 Refugee Awareness Project launch: National launch, Liverpool, Bristol and Nottingham.

Project details

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