{"id":2762,"date":"2022-11-29T15:51:49","date_gmt":"2022-11-29T15:51:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.refugeevoices.org.uk\/?page_id=2762"},"modified":"2023-02-23T21:23:39","modified_gmt":"2023-02-23T21:23:39","slug":"turning-ideas-into-action","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.refugeevoices.org.uk\/index.php\/turning-ideas-into-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Turning Ideas Into Action"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container video-background hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-no-small-visibility\" style=\"--awb-background-position:left top;--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--awb-border-sizes-top:0px;--awb-border-sizes-bottom:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fullwidth-video\"><video preload=\"auto\" autoplay playsinline loop muted><source src=\"https:\/\/www.refugeevoices.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/about.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\"><\/video><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-stretch fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:calc( 100% + 0px ) !important;max-width:calc( 100% + 0px ) !important;margin-left: calc(-0px \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-0px \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:50px;--awb-padding-right:10%;--awb-padding-bottom:50px;--awb-padding-left:10%;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:0px;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:0px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:0px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:0px;--awb-spacing-left-small:0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-center fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:220px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><h1 style=\"text-align: center; color: #fff; font-size: 72px;\">TURNING IDEAS<br \/>\nINTO ACTION<\/h1>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center; color: #ffa50a; font-size: 22px; line-height: 33px;\">Empowering Refugees and Asylum Seekers<br \/>\nto be active agents in change<\/h1>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:220px;width:100%;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container fusion-parallax-none hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-no-medium-visibility fusion-no-large-visibility\" style=\"--awb-background-position:left top;--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--awb-background-image:url(&quot;https:\/\/www.refugeevoices.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/head1-1.jpg&quot;);--awb-background-size:cover;--awb-border-sizes-top:0px;--awb-border-sizes-bottom:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-stretch fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:calc( 100% + 0px ) !important;max-width:calc( 100% + 0px ) !important;margin-left: calc(-0px \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-0px \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:50px;--awb-padding-right:10%;--awb-padding-bottom:50px;--awb-padding-left:10%;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:0px;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:0px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:0px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:0px;--awb-spacing-left-small:0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-center fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:90px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><h1 style=\"text-align: center; color: #fff; font-size: 48px;\">TURNING IDEAS INTO ACTION<\/h1>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center; color: #ffa50a font-size: 24px; line-height: 34px;\">Empowering Refugees and Asylum Seekers to be active agents in change<\/h1>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:70px;width:100%;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 fusion-flex-container hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-background-position:left top;--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--awb-border-sizes-top:0px;--awb-border-sizes-bottom:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:50px;--awb-padding-right:10%;--awb-padding-bottom:50px;--awb-padding-left:10%;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:50%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:3.84%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:3.84%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-menu-anchor\" id=\"report\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\"><h3 class=\"p1\">The Challenge<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator\" style=\"align-self: flex-start;margin-right:auto;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:40px;width:100%;max-width:200px;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:#faa634;border-color:#faa634;border-top-width:3px;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4\"><p class=\"p1\">What do we know about the unique role that peer support plays in supporting the settlement and integration of asylum seekers and refugees?<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">What does local and national research and policy say about the importance of Refugee-led Community Organisations and individual community advocates?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Why is it that while the Home Office explicitly recognises the importance of \u201c<em>access of refugees and migrants to emotional and practical support from one\u2019s own community when needed\u2019<\/em> and <em>\u2018adequate capacity of refugee community organisations\u2019<\/em> in building social connections for integration, yet the Refugee Council finds that <em>\u201cDespite being remarkably effective agents for social integration, RCOs are chronically underused, unrecognised and under-resourced\u2026.RCOs are routinely overlooked, taken for granted and excluded from integration policy discussions, when they obviously need to be are part of the solution\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"accordian fusion-accordian\" style=\"--awb-border-size:1px;--awb-icon-size:13px;--awb-content-font-size:var(--awb-typography4-font-size);--awb-icon-alignment:left;--awb-hover-color:#f9f9f9;--awb-border-color:#cccccc;--awb-background-color:#ffffff;--awb-divider-color:var(--awb-color3);--awb-divider-hover-color:var(--awb-color3);--awb-icon-color:#ffffff;--awb-title-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-content-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-icon-box-color:#ffae23;--awb-toggle-hover-accent-color:#ffae23;--awb-title-font-family:var(--awb-typography1-font-family);--awb-title-font-weight:var(--awb-typography1-font-weight);--awb-title-font-style:var(--awb-typography1-font-style);--awb-title-font-size:16px;--awb-title-letter-spacing:1px;--awb-title-line-height:1.5;--awb-content-font-family:var(--awb-typography4-font-family);--awb-content-font-weight:var(--awb-typography4-font-weight);--awb-content-font-style:var(--awb-typography4-font-style);\"><div class=\"panel-group fusion-toggle-icon-boxed\" id=\"accordion-2762-1\"><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-5c8219a2b68c816da fusion-toggle-has-divider\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_5c8219a2b68c816da\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"5c8219a2b68c816da\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-2762-1\" data-target=\"#5c8219a2b68c816da\" href=\"#5c8219a2b68c816da\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">Read more here<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"5c8219a2b68c816da\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_5c8219a2b68c816da\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<p class=\"p1\">Since the Forum began over 20 years ago, we\u2019ve seen first-hand how important peer support has been for newly arriving asylum seekers and refugees and through their journey to integration. We see how peer support reduces social isolation, helps new arrivals navigate unknown systems, access vital services and understand their rights and it promotes wider participation in life in the UK. That is why we have always championed the role of those who take action to support their community.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">National research evidences the unique, but often unrecognised, contribution of RCOs to a range of policy areas. The Refugee Council\u2019s report <a class=\"text\" href=\"https:\/\/www.refugeecouncil.org.uk\/latest\/news\/5421_new_research_reveals_vital_role_played_by_refugee-led_community_organisations_in_integration\/\"><span class=\"s3\"><i>\u2018A bridge to life in the UK: Refugee-led community organisations and their role in integration\u2019<\/i> <\/span><\/a>\u00a0highlights the depth and breadth of support that RCOs provide and the key role they play in helping refugees rebuild their lives, integrate and increase refugee inclusion and participation in the UK. Their research found that RCOs are particularly effective in supporting their service users because of three key assets:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li2\">Reach: they have the ability to reach refugee communities as they have contacts, share languages and cultural affinity, and they are trusted.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li2\">Insight: their insight often comes from the personal experiences of the refugees running the services,<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Solutions: this improves their ability to find solutions to the barriers and challenges facing refugees.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p2\">However, the report concludes that <i>\u2018Despite being remarkably effective agents for social integration, RCOs are chronically underused, unrecognised and under-resourced\u2026.RCOs are routinely overlooked, taken for granted and excluded from integration policy discussions, when they obviously need to be are part of the solution\u2019.<\/i><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The Home Office\u2019s <a class=\"text\" href=\"https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/805874\/theory-of-change-for-achieving-integration-2019.pdf\"><span class=\"s2\">Theory of Change for Achieving Integration<\/span><\/a> (2019 \u2013 interactive content) also recognises the importance of community organisations to integration. It highlights how the barrier of Social Isolation can be overcome through Social Connections and its 3 domains of Social Bridges, Social Bonds and Social Links which <em>\u201ctaken together they recognise the importance of relationships to our understanding of the integration process and elaborate different kinds of relationships that contribute to integration\u201d. <\/em>The <a class=\"text\" href=\"https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/1074688\/home-office-indicators-of-integration-framework-2019-horr109.pdf\"><span class=\"s2\">Home Office\u2019s Indicators of Integration Framework<\/span><\/a> uses the language of social capital to distinguish between these three forms of social connection or relationship:<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><b>A. Social bonds<\/b> are connections with others with a shared sense of identity\u2026 Social bonds are characterised by the exchange of both practical and emotional support and can provide individuals and groups with the confidence and security required for integration. Social isolation is characterised by a lack of social bonds.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><b>B. Social bridges <\/b>connect people of a different background\u2026 Social bridges provide the route for the sharing of resource and opportunity between people who are dissimilar. \u2026 Social segregation is characterised by a lack of social bridges\u2026<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><b>C. Social links <\/b>are connections with institutions, including local and central government services\u2026 Social links refer to the \u2018vertical\u2019 relationships between people and the institutions of the society in which they live\u2026. Social links connect the individual to the power structures of society in both directions, as a contributor (e.g. through voting) as well as a beneficiary (e.g. when needing to access support). A sense of alienation may be characterised by a lack of social links.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The theory gives practical examples of effective interventions that will help build these Social Bonds, Social Bridges and Social Links which include:<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li2\">\u2018Supporting community organisations in the local area\u2019, which will lead to \u2018access of refugees and migrants to emotional and practical support from one\u2019s own community when needed\u2019 and \u2018adequate capacity of refugee community organisations\u2019. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li2\">\u2018Training and outreach programmes to encourage and support involvement in public and civic life\u2019; \u2018engagement of communities in local and national policy and strategy development\/implementation\u2019; local organisations make institutional arrangements with community organisations\u2019. These interventions will lead to outputs including \u2018sufficient capacity of refugees and migrants to advocate for and claim their rights\u2019, \u2018sufficient awareness of procedures for complaining about good and services\u2019, inclusive representation within leadership and management structures, PTA\u2019s, NGO\u2019s, governing bodies and political parties, \u2018have a voice in shaping society\u2019 and being \u2018able to benefit from local services\u2019<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p2\">\u00a0More details are given in the\u00a0 <a class=\"text\" href=\"https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/1074700\/home-office-indicators-of-integration-framework-2019-theory-of-change-guide-notes-partb.pdf\"><span class=\"s2\">\u2018Bank of Outcome Indicators of Integration\u2019<\/span><\/a> .<\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">The Home Office\u2019s associated report <a class=\"text\" href=\"https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/812891\/intergrating-refugees-2019.pdf\"><span class=\"s2\">Integrating refugees: What works? What can work? What does not work? A summary of the evidence<\/span><\/a> (June 2019) concludes that <em>\u201cHigh-quality social connections promote integration. Research indicates that the quality of social networks within and between communities, and transnationally, is positively related to the overall wellbeing of refugees<\/em>. <em>Social networks facilitate access to health and welfare services, financial and emotional support and also reduce feelings of isolation and depression&#8221;<\/em>. It also poses the question <em>\u201cWhat does not work in integrating refugees?\u201d<\/em> and concludes it is <em>\u201cA lack of support for migrant refugee community groups\u201d<\/em> and <em>\u201cNot recognising integration as a holistic and long-term process\u201d<\/em>. <em>\u201cProjects seeking quick solutions or run by organisations without prior knowledge of refugees are less likely to be successful than those with experience. Some migrant refugee community organisations may require support to participate in integration initiatives owing to a lack of experience in UK policy and practice<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>It is our experience that not enough attention is paid to the existence and role of RCOs although building connecting relationships is central to their activity.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator\" style=\"align-self: flex-start;margin-right:auto;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:40px;width:100%;max-width:200px;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-5\"><h3 class=\"p1\">What we want to find out<\/h3>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator\" style=\"align-self: flex-start;margin-right:auto;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:40px;width:100%;max-width:200px;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:#faa634;border-color:#faa634;border-top-width:3px;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-6\"><p class=\"p1\">We want to find answers to the question: <strong>W<\/strong><b>hat works in supporting people turn their ideas to support their community into practical action?<\/b> They are so highly motivated to help, but how can they be empowered to realise their potential to be active agents in integration?<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">We want to use findings to make sure we do the right thing to support our members bring change to their communities. But we also want to share learning to help other agencies and organisations, from all sectors, working across the region, to be aware of the enabling and empowering role they too can play in this process. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">We have begun to research this question and will be sharing our findings here. We will continue to expand our research so we can eventually identify a set of practical elements that can guide anyone, whatever organisation they work in, to play a role in supporting refugee and asylum seeker mobilisers, advocates and activists to make change for the communities they support.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"accordian fusion-accordian\" style=\"--awb-border-size:1px;--awb-icon-size:13px;--awb-content-font-size:var(--awb-typography4-font-size);--awb-icon-alignment:left;--awb-hover-color:#f9f9f9;--awb-border-color:#cccccc;--awb-background-color:#ffffff;--awb-divider-color:var(--awb-color3);--awb-divider-hover-color:var(--awb-color3);--awb-icon-color:#ffffff;--awb-title-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-content-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-icon-box-color:#ffae23;--awb-toggle-hover-accent-color:#ffae23;--awb-title-font-family:var(--awb-typography1-font-family);--awb-title-font-weight:var(--awb-typography1-font-weight);--awb-title-font-style:var(--awb-typography1-font-style);--awb-title-font-size:16px;--awb-title-letter-spacing:1px;--awb-title-line-height:1.5;--awb-content-font-family:var(--awb-typography4-font-family);--awb-content-font-weight:var(--awb-typography4-font-weight);--awb-content-font-style:var(--awb-typography4-font-style);\"><div class=\"panel-group fusion-toggle-icon-boxed\" id=\"accordion-2762-2\"><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-2650e24c5c8a3cf5b fusion-toggle-has-divider\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_2650e24c5c8a3cf5b\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"2650e24c5c8a3cf5b\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-2762-2\" data-target=\"#2650e24c5c8a3cf5b\" href=\"#2650e24c5c8a3cf5b\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">Read more here<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"2650e24c5c8a3cf5b\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_2650e24c5c8a3cf5b\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<p class=\"p1\">In the first phase of our research, an independent consultant held interviews with 13 of our members. The central question was <i>\u2018You had ideas to help your community. How did you turn your ideas into action?\u2019<\/i>. The discussion was prompted by a series of \u2018starting points\u2019: \u2018What motivated you to try to help others in your community? What ideas did you have to help others? What or who helped you turn them into action? What or who hindered you? What has being an activist brought to your life?\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">These interviews provide the evidence base for our interim findings shared here. A Research Steering Group, which includes Trustees and staff,\u00a0 helped test the analysis. Illustrative quotations for each of the findings were selected from the evidence base.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The work was funded by the National Lottery Charity Fund as part of our Community Action Project.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-3 fusion_builder_column_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:50px;--awb-padding-right:10%;--awb-padding-bottom:150px;--awb-padding-left:10%;--awb-bg-color:rgba(244,244,244,0.36);--awb-bg-color-hover:rgba(244,244,244,0.36);--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:50%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:3.84%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:3.84%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-7\"><h3>Summary of Findings<\/h3>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator\" style=\"align-self: flex-start;margin-right:auto;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:40px;width:100%;max-width:200px;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:#fec96b;border-color:#fec96b;border-top-width:3px;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"accordian fusion-accordian\" style=\"--awb-border-size:1px;--awb-icon-size:13px;--awb-content-font-size:var(--awb-typography4-font-size);--awb-icon-alignment:left;--awb-hover-color:#f9f9f9;--awb-border-color:#cccccc;--awb-background-color:#ffffff;--awb-divider-color:var(--awb-color3);--awb-divider-hover-color:var(--awb-color3);--awb-icon-color:#ffffff;--awb-title-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-content-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-icon-box-color:#ffae23;--awb-toggle-hover-accent-color:#ffae23;--awb-title-font-family:var(--awb-typography1-font-family);--awb-title-font-weight:var(--awb-typography1-font-weight);--awb-title-font-style:var(--awb-typography1-font-style);--awb-title-font-size:16px;--awb-title-letter-spacing:1px;--awb-title-line-height:1.5;--awb-content-font-family:var(--awb-typography4-font-family);--awb-content-font-weight:var(--awb-typography4-font-weight);--awb-content-font-style:var(--awb-typography4-font-style);\"><div class=\"panel-group fusion-toggle-icon-boxed\" id=\"accordion-2762-3\"><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-e48f2854924bb25e6 fusion-toggle-has-divider\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_e48f2854924bb25e6\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e48f2854924bb25e6\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-2762-3\" data-target=\"#e48f2854924bb25e6\" href=\"#e48f2854924bb25e6\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">1. What helps turning ideas into actions is\u2026.<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"e48f2854924bb25e6\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_e48f2854924bb25e6\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<ol class=\"ol1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">Enabling self-help: getting together with others in a similar situation, where there is mutual understanding based on shared experiences, and shared aspirations for the future.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Support with a practical focus that addresses isolation, meets our basic needs, engages with the asylum system and mainstream provision.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Support in organizing ourselves by addressing organizational issues, learning through the process, for everybody\u2019s benefits.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-64779d83003785b39 fusion-toggle-has-divider\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_64779d83003785b39\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"64779d83003785b39\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-2762-3\" data-target=\"#64779d83003785b39\" href=\"#64779d83003785b39\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">2. What hinders turning ideas into actions?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"64779d83003785b39\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_64779d83003785b39\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<ol class=\"ol1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">Practicalities: understanding of UK systems, lack of settled communities and difficulties resourcing our organizations.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Attitudes within our (refugee and asylum seekers) communities: limiting self beliefs, lack of trust and misconceptions within community, and hesitancy about becoming involved.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><span class=\"s1\">Attitudes of host communities about <\/span>refugee and asylum seekers<span class=\"s1\"> communities: <\/span>discrimination against communities, discrimination within and between communities, assumptions.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li2\">Attitudes of host communities about refugee community organisations: <span class=\"s3\">barriers faced by <\/span>refugee community organisations<span class=\"s3\">, competition between organisations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><span class=\"s1\">Attitudes of mainstream organizations including<\/span> assumptions, fear of empowerment leadership and self- organizing, barriers to formalizing our organizations, organizational cultures.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-500bd7746835a3ded fusion-toggle-has-divider\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_500bd7746835a3ded\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"500bd7746835a3ded\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-2762-3\" data-target=\"#500bd7746835a3ded\" href=\"#500bd7746835a3ded\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">3. What ideas did you have to help others?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"500bd7746835a3ded\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_500bd7746835a3ded\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<p class=\"p1\">A practical focus engaging with the asylum and resettlement systems as well as mainstream provision, meeting specific needs and enabling collective voice.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-bf3da07d8a34f8315 fusion-toggle-has-divider\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_bf3da07d8a34f8315\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"bf3da07d8a34f8315\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-2762-3\" data-target=\"#bf3da07d8a34f8315\" href=\"#bf3da07d8a34f8315\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">4. What motivated you to try to help others in your community?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"bf3da07d8a34f8315\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_bf3da07d8a34f8315\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<ol class=\"ol1\">\n<li class=\"li2\">Experiences as an asylum seeker or refugee, personally and what I\u2019ve witnessed: isolation, language and personal experience.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li2\">It\u2019s who I am: personally, my family and linked with why I became an asylum seeker or refugee.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-254543dba982e32ec fusion-toggle-has-divider\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_254543dba982e32ec\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"254543dba982e32ec\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-2762-3\" data-target=\"#254543dba982e32ec\" href=\"#254543dba982e32ec\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">5. What has being \u2018an activist\u2019 brought to your life?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"254543dba982e32ec\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_254543dba982e32ec\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<ol class=\"ol1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">There are personal costs<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Satisfaction<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Personal development and learning<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator\" style=\"align-self: flex-start;margin-right:auto;margin-top:30px;width:100%;max-width:200px;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-8\"><h3 class=\"p1\">Findings with Evidence<\/h3>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator\" style=\"align-self: flex-start;margin-right:auto;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:40px;width:100%;max-width:200px;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:#fec96b;border-color:#fec96b;border-top-width:3px;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"accordian fusion-accordian\" style=\"--awb-border-size:1px;--awb-icon-size:13px;--awb-content-font-size:var(--awb-typography4-font-size);--awb-icon-alignment:left;--awb-hover-color:#f9f9f9;--awb-border-color:#cccccc;--awb-background-color:#ffffff;--awb-divider-color:var(--awb-color3);--awb-divider-hover-color:var(--awb-color3);--awb-icon-color:#ffffff;--awb-title-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-content-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-icon-box-color:#ffae23;--awb-toggle-hover-accent-color:#ffae23;--awb-title-font-family:var(--awb-typography1-font-family);--awb-title-font-weight:var(--awb-typography1-font-weight);--awb-title-font-style:var(--awb-typography1-font-style);--awb-title-font-size:16px;--awb-title-letter-spacing:1px;--awb-title-line-height:1.5;--awb-content-font-family:var(--awb-typography4-font-family);--awb-content-font-weight:var(--awb-typography4-font-weight);--awb-content-font-style:var(--awb-typography4-font-style);\"><div class=\"panel-group fusion-toggle-icon-boxed\" id=\"accordion-2762-4\"><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-183dfebc906ba8995 fusion-toggle-has-divider\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_183dfebc906ba8995\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"183dfebc906ba8995\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-2762-4\" data-target=\"#183dfebc906ba8995\" href=\"#183dfebc906ba8995\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">1. What helps turning ideas into actions? <\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"183dfebc906ba8995\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_183dfebc906ba8995\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>1.1 Enabling s<\/b><span class=\"s1\"><b>elf-help:<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>getting together with others in a similar situation<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">When we have meetings everybody helps, wants to bring something, be part of it. Collective social activity, feeling of contributing, want to belong to the group, the place. We have all been through the same sort of things.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">That\u2019s why I started the group because I know how they feel when they cannot find help. Learned that drop ins existed after about 8 months, I just saw it advertised in the library. That\u2019s where it started I was really isolated when I first came.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li6\">Only at our drop in can people speak up in their own language. Even if people don\u2019t need any help they come to meet people, make new friends, be out of isolation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>mutual understanding based on shared experiences<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">When seeking sanctuary in a new country where you don\u2019t know anybody; don\u2019t know about the does and don\u2019ts. You are restrained by the rules of the new country.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">\u2026 [M]ost come from a background where disability is not celebrated.\u2026 They fear approaching the local authority for help, so you have to work with them a step at a time. It\u2019s a challenge because of stigma, language, their beliefs.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">You need to understand the background. So I focus on getting people to switch their thinking, shed their negative thinking from background beliefs or bad experiences.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li6\">I\u2019m hoping to set up a womens group\u2026 It\u2019s about opening their minds to dealing with domestic abuse, having healthy relationships, helping kids\u2026 It\u2019s about helping people move on, not always staying with the grief.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>shared aspirations for the future<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">We are just starting. It is about integration. If I live in this country and am a British passport holder, I have to feel I am British\u2026 we all want to be one and the same; one expression of nation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">So need to have ideas that are about empowerment, that recognise assets. Independent living means encouraging people who have ideas to do what they want to do.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">This is my country now, I\u2019m happy to know more about it. I\u2019m home. I\u2019m not different from other people. I am in my presentation but I\u2019m home I want to know the area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>1.2 Support with a practical focus:<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">addresses isolation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">I saw how hard it was for him [my father]. He waited a week or two to see his friend to ask him for help to make a phone call.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">Some people feel isolated, some even feel unwelcome. To make any changes we need to remove this, bring people together with their own community and with their own people at first&#8230;<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>meets our basic needs<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">I was lost, had no connections, abandoned. I didn\u2019t speak English. I was amongst the first Africans dispersed to the North East&#8230; There was a single mother with 3 children who didn\u2019t know how to turn the heating on. For three days, they were wearing 6 layers of clothes, until I went to the accommodation provider and said \u201cShe doesn\u2019t know how to turn on the heating\u201d.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">During lock down moved the services online, using zoom, chat, phone. In an emergency will meet people outside for 1-2-1. Delivery of food parcels, distribution of clothes, furniture and toiletries\u2026 We had specific meeting over zoom about vaccine; we got a female doctor to come and speak.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>engages with broader systems<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li6\">We started in the community centre with learning English, doing translation, filling in forms, making phone calls.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">People who are waiting longer for case\u2026 The waiting affects people\u2019s mental health\u2026 Just want an update. Emailing direct [to Home Office] rather than waiting for solicitors who just tell you to wait. It is also about doing something empowering\u2026<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">We get to understand how systems in the UK work. This helps with integration.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">It may be the GP not letting you register, or it may be the individual not understanding: the individual not understanding the situation of the organisation.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">NHS do provide interpreting service, but the issue is how does someone pick up the phone and tell them that they need an interpreter?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">I tell people that they should go to the council rather than me, but they respond that they get no help&#8230;<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li6\">During last two and a half years I have called fire brigade twice (an asylum seekers house was on fire and they didn\u2019t know how to call them); police only 4 or 5 time; ambulance lost count of how many times.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>1.3 Support in organizing ourselves:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>addressing organizational issues<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">Many members are refugees and asylum seekers so their income is next to nothing. At the start, the more established individuals financed our organisation from own pockets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">Been told you could apply to trusts and foundations, but imagine coming across a word you had never heard of in your life \u2026 got a cheque made out to [regional community organisation] but no bank account&#8230;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">Approached key individuals in [local] church as were looking for venue to meet on regular basis. They gave it to us for no cost; wonderful because it meant we could get on with organising the activities without needing to look for funding. We were empowered by non-monetary local support. They didn\u2019t want us to come to their church services or for us to include their agenda in our agenda. They literally gave us keys to the building.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>learning through the process<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">Although I was good at saying what was needed it took me a time to understand about community groups\u2026. It took me a year to understand\u2026 Many, many questions. If we meet as a group of 10 and we have issues that we put on a piece of paper, then what do we do?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">When we created the organisation we gained new skills\u2026 Knowing the system supports integration. We come from different backgrounds, different ways of doing things. Now in UK, because we want to fit in with the ways of the British, we have to learn these, rather than stay with our own ways of doing things.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>for everybody\u2019s benefits<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">A formal way of addressing issues in our community\u2026saying we are here to listen to your needs and signpost you to the right services. A clear platform where people can hear their issues and have a clear way to address them. Also a way for other organisations to communicate with our community via us. They were struggling with this because there was no other platform. So ensuring the 2 way communication was a little bit smoother\u2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li4\">Whatever change you want to bring about you cannot do it as a single person. It has to be in a group to create an impact&#8230; Vertical working includes with the police, CPS and other to give them some idea about how they can go about working with ethnic minority group. There are people in these institutions who are very good, willing to go extra mile, ensure trust. We are just starting this \u2013 being practical and engaging.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-25cb450b531bcf395 fusion-toggle-has-divider\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_25cb450b531bcf395\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"25cb450b531bcf395\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-2762-4\" data-target=\"#25cb450b531bcf395\" href=\"#25cb450b531bcf395\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">2. What hinders turning ideas into actions? <\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"25cb450b531bcf395\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_25cb450b531bcf395\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<p><b>1.Practicalities:<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>understanding of UK systems<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">If I had better language think it would have been more help. Also a lack of information; systems in the UK for example education, health. Whenever somebody asks me something I have to make a few phone calls, look on the internet and then get back to them. It is good as I know more but it takes a lot of time to make sure it is correct.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li6\">Know of how to act within the law and regulations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>lack of settled communities<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">We rely on volunteers. This has real strengths but you cannot sustain people. This makes for a fluidity as people move along, so some knowledge gets lost.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">As a community mobiliser, [the town] is a small place. If in a bigger city would have more members, volunteers, ideas\u2026 Refugees cannot find jobs here\u2026<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">[Our] community in the North East was very small; only recently have number started to grow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>difficulties resourcing our organizations<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">Premises and accommodation, contact points. This is also related to finance, which is very important.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">Getting across to the funder what you need \u2026 Funding applications are time consuming.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>2. Attitudes within our (refugee and asylum seeking) communities:<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>limiting self beliefs<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">Root of the problem is people\u2019s strong beliefs especially if this includes not being accepted.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">Some of the people you want to help are reluctant, perhaps some are suspicious because of their own bad experience in journey to UK; often been through a great deal of traumatic experience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">My claim is the one thing refugee and asylum seeking communities can do is make positive changes in their lives. Not that there isn\u2019t racism; there is but fighting is not the solution. Also if we just cry it will not solve anything \u2013 if you have a problem, you have to shift your thinking to the positive side and think about the solution. Then everything will change\u2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>lack of trust and misconceptions within community<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\"><span class=\"s5\">\u2026 <\/span>Firstly you have to change yourself. This includes religious and cultural views on the role of women. Also an intergenerational aspect to this.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">Hindered by personal obligations within the family&#8230; There was a verbal clash between myself and some people in the community and the kids started to fear that what they had been through in [another country] would be repeated here\u2026. They did not believe we were volunteering, thought we were working for some people, organisation.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">They accuse me of westernising. Tension between holding your own identity and changing how you think. It\u2019s not about identity. You have thoughts, beliefs, experiences on top of these cultural definitions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>hesitancy about becoming involved<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">They (RAS themselves) have responsibility to be proactive in doing things for themselves. \u2026 I am responsible for my own development\u2026<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>We have responsibility as a community rather than just wingeing: \u2018what are you doing about&#8230;.\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">Lack of organisation within the community and people willing to volunteer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><\/b><b>3. Attitudes of host communities about RAS communities:<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>discrimination against communities<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">Refugee communities are not homogeneous [\u2018all alike\u2019].<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">Issue about discrimination from host community. We have to change those ideas and thoughts by what we do. All of \u2018us\u00b4 are seen as the same whether Muslim Christian, Arab, African.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">[We] can probably handle being called names on the street, the first generation are quite resilient. Problem comes when you access services, for example mental health. There\u2019s a stigma and issues about language.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>discrimination within and between communities<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">Attitudes that hinder empowerment don\u2019t come from only some mainstream communities but from other black and minoritised communities who believe that refugees are inferior to them. Their attitudes sometimes can be worse than the wider community and only seek unity with the RAS community when they themselves have faced discrimination.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">It\u2019s an attitude. People look at me. Eastern Europeans who are white don\u2019t see themselves as refugees any more. Its human, but it needs to be challenged\u2026 its not acceptable.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">I was privileged working as a doctor here but never forgot my roots.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I belong to an ethnic minority group in this country. I\u2019m aware of the restrictions and limitations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>assumptions<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">The view that you cannot integrate and hold your own culture is the problem here. It understates the value of culture and living with different perspectives. Generally it is fear of the unknown\u2026 people fear this because do not know what lies ahead, fear of change. This assumes culture is a fixed entity, and there\u2019s only one way of doing things.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">Everybody who has come has got ideas of going back at some point. So if someone is completely cut off from their culture, their language it will be a problem for them in the future.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">Its about mutual understanding; about the value of refugees and asylum seekers. We are not here just to be helped, also here to contribute.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><\/b><b>4. Attitudes of host communities about refugee community organisations:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"s5\"><b>barriers faced by <\/b><\/span><b>refugee community organisations<\/b><span class=\"s5\"><b><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">Thought I needed permission from the government. I didn\u2019t want to get into trouble. In [country of birth] you need permission so I went to the Council. They didn\u2019t want me to organize a group, they brought out a piece of paper, saying there was an organization already. I had already written the idea on a piece of paper\u2026It started from there.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">When agency approach us and say \u2018can you get your members together we want to give them information\u2019, there may be a cost involved, might be other issues for example if you cannot provide childcare, people may not want to hear what you want to say.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">Some organizations are blocking integration.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>We are not seen as part of the community.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">If you use services of an organisation, they don\u2019t like to see you as an organisation in same way as them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>competition between organisations<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">There were\u2026 some leaders in the local residents association who were not quite sure about our agenda\u2026 There was some hostility, resentment. They had a lot of clout with the council. We had to justify ourselves on several occasions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">Another organisation moved to [town]. The centre we used to use was offered to them by the council and we were made homeless&#8230; We were pushed to the wall when our centre was taken away and organisation did not allow us to hire a room&#8230; We found a new venue, a church down the road. Many people coming to us but we did not have all the contact details. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><\/b><b>5. Attitudes of mainstream organizations<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>assumptions<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">Turning ideas into action needs those that can support the ways of being open minded, not assuming that they already know how to do everything&#8230; The \u2018give, give\u2019 model sustains jobs for other people but it perpetuates dependency. What are the assumptions behind this?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">I can do it better<\/li>\n<li class=\"li5\">The community has no assets, we have to help them. It is a community of need<\/li>\n<li class=\"li5\">Everybody is at the same level of need. Some people are traumatised but some people are more resilient\u2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>fear of empowerment, leadership and self-organizing<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">To give the impression that we are doing everything and you dont need to do anything is simply wrong. The VCS can do many things but some things they cannot do\u2026<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">When (I) went to an organisation whose role it was to help organizations we were asked \u2018why do you need to set up a group? just volunteer for another organisation.\u2019 I was discouraged but I stood strong\u2026<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">It\u2019s about linked and distinctive identities and about knowledge. The question about how you build that. You need to link with community leaders, but it\u2019s not left to the community leaders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">We have some good relationships with council, but a couple of people tried their best to close us down as an organisation by telling us there were other groups for \u2018you people\u2019: a horrid phrase.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">\u2018Why are you wanting to do this? we are already doing this\u2019. Have seen churches who prevent individuals who are trying to do something in their local community. This is an example of the view that there\u2019s only one right way of doing things &#8211; and its ours.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">Have been told not to engage with certain organisations; if they contact you don\u2019t respond, although get emails about working in partnership. I\u2019m constantly being told what to do and what not to do, when I\u2019m quite capable of making our own choice. I feel quite intimidated\u2026<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">Local authority does not have same issue about dependency [as some voluntary organizations]. They want everybody to go away because they are cutting costs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>barriers to formalizing our organizations<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">Had a real struggle to become a registered charity\u2026 This was prejudice, not ignorance.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>organizational cultures<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">There is a certain style in which these bids are presented \u2026 The value of your idea is judged on the paper&#8230; So it is not the language issue, but it is part of the culture\u2026. the funding has to have \u2018Mr John Smith\u2019 underneath&#8230; It\u2019s the experience of RAS but you have to go to those meetings with someone who looks more credible in their eyes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">Bureaucracy: a problem for everyone but more so for RCOs, because the amount of hoops they have to jump\u2026<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li5\">It is not always clear, but it is a racist culture. I would say to fellow RCOs accept that. You have to accept that it is and create a system where you can find your way out of that. You can see this in hostile environment, in covid impacts, in boards of directors of many funders, work forces of LAs. You have to find a way through this.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-9c8ce4b2c98da7981 fusion-toggle-has-divider\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_9c8ce4b2c98da7981\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"9c8ce4b2c98da7981\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-2762-4\" data-target=\"#9c8ce4b2c98da7981\" href=\"#9c8ce4b2c98da7981\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">3. What ideas did you have to help others?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"9c8ce4b2c98da7981\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_9c8ce4b2c98da7981\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<p><b>A practical focus<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">We started in the community centre with learning English, doing translation, filling in forms, making phone calls &#8211; as well as social events.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">We were signposted to classes, but we were meeting other people as friends there. So we needed a drop in session\u2026for anybody who wants to talk, to share anything; food, a story, it can be anything.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">During lock down moved the services online, using zoom, chat, phone. In an emergency will meet people outside for 1-2-1. Delivery of food parcels, distribution of clothes, furniture and toiletries. Help enroll people for college\u2026 and access student finance. We had specific meeting over zoom about vaccine; we got a female Dr to come and speak.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">\u2026 raise their awareness of their abilities. See that they have resources and they can build themselves and then move on. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">\u2026 many people came \u2013 they needed not just the clothing; brought letters, refusal letters; needed help registering with a GP, finding a solicitor. Twenty seven or twenty eight people needing help; \u2026 So if we stop what happens to these people? We decided could not stop&#8230;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>engaging with the asylum and resettlement systems<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">People who are waiting longer for case\u2026 The waiting affects people\u2019s mental health\u2026 Just want an update. Emailing direct [to Home Office] rather than waiting for solicitors who just tell you to wait. It is also about doing something empowering\u2026<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">As a registered charity we are very clearly not a political group, but we do have a legal strand of activity. We involve learning together and challenging things. For example asylum seekers should be allowed to work; free school meals should not be denied\u2026 I was an asylum seeker\u2026 Although it is not meant to, it does affect you if you do things politically.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">Individual had a heart attack, refused leave to remain, hospital sent him a bill for several thousand pounds. They went to a solicitor asking to challenge hospital and ask the Home Office to pay the fee. Solicitor said they could not help. They came to us. We could not give advice, because we are not officially trained; but we could support. [RRF] forwarded an email saying there was a new law if someone is on Section 21 support, they are eligible for free medical treatment. I forwarded that to the solicitor who said they did not know. They should have.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>engaging with the mainstream provision<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">If people can understand how to use the system then they can use it. If not then the doors are closed to them.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">Struggle is not knowing much about the British system. Local people and organizations support refugees but it\u2019s not easy. They don\u2019t know much about us and we don\u2019t know much about the systems. It\u2019s a two way process.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">We get to understand how systems in the UK work. This helps with integration. You cannot complain that you are not getting the support from this or that organisation if you do not meet their criteria.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">In thinking about our issues we have to think about the issues of other communities, including the host communities. That is integration. Not about loosing identity into another one. It\u2019s about cohesion, living together harmoniously with your differences. This requires changes in UK systems as well as communities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">When we created the organisation we gained new skills\u2026 Knowing the system supports integration. We come from different backgrounds, different ways of doing things. Now in UK, because we want to fit in with the ways of the British, we have to learn these, rather than stay with our own ways of doing things.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">If you have a bad experience you see it as the norm; that\u2019s how it impacts.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">They don\u2019t trust information that is available, they need someone to facilitate it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">The support worker is the key for most of the issues. I don\u2019t know if the form filing I do is part of their job.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">It may be the GP not letting you register, or it may be the individual not understanding: the individual not understanding the situation of the organisation.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">NHS do provide interpreting service, but the issue is how does someone pick up the phone and tell them that they need an interpreter?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">Sometimes they have the language but do not understand the processes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">I tell people that they should go to the council rather than me, but they respond that they get no help. There was a survey amongst the families about the service from the council\u2026 I was completing most of the forms. People were not saying what they thought about the service. They thought that they would get into trouble.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">Making mainstream services better: for example the police being better informed is helping my own community.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">Last week someone needed a signature for her daughter\u2019s passport. She could not find anybody, but because we knew her from before we were able to sign it for her.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>meeting specific needs<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">Sometimes men will stop them (women) doing things under the name of religion\u2026 One person has said, \u2018This is my country now, I\u2019m happy to know more about it. I\u2019m home. I\u2019m not different from other people. I am in my presentation but I\u2019m home. I want to know the area\u2019.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">I used to walk from [town] to [town] just crying. I was angry, depressed. It\u2019s quite hard, especially when you\u2019re with kids. I only had \u00a335\u2026Doing exercise is really good for me. It\u2019s why I want to do it with the group. In our culture we don\u2019t do that. If you are going to the gym you are a bad woman, you are looking for somebody.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">There was a gap in the community, ethnic minorities didn\u2019t have a group they could turn to for support. Other groups didn\u2019t understand them because of their diverse needs. [RAS parents of children with learning disabilities]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">We had driving lessons. We had a man who could speak Farsi and English, taught the driving theory. Found an organisation that helps people get driving test&#8230; This has allowed people to apply for jobs as taxi drivers and delivery drivers.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">Council had a specific post but it was around [resettled] refugees. They may need help with integration. But asylum seekers also need help if different.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">As soon as you have Leave To Remain, you are thrown in to a system you don\u2019t know\u2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>enabling collective voice<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">Not aware of our rights, shy away from exercising our own rights because we feel intruders into the system. Feeling you\u2019re not meant to access services\u2026 what is and is not our rights.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">Drawing on knowledge of managing groups and leadership skills from past experiences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">A formal way of addressing issues in our community\u2026saying \u2018we are here to listen to your needs\u2019 and signpost you to the right services. A clear platform where people can hear their issues and have a clear way to address them. Also a way for other organisations to communicate with our community via us. They were struggling with this because there was no other platform. So ensuring the two way communication was a little bit smoother\u2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-19f725922e9dc3034 fusion-toggle-has-divider\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_19f725922e9dc3034\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"19f725922e9dc3034\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-2762-4\" data-target=\"#19f725922e9dc3034\" href=\"#19f725922e9dc3034\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">4. What motivated you to try to help others in your community? <\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"19f725922e9dc3034\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_19f725922e9dc3034\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<p><b>1.Experiences as an asylum seeker or refugee, personally and what I\u2019ve witnessed<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">If you don\u2019t do anything you feel like you are a number waiting for something to happen to you. This is dealing with being in the system. I\u2019m a case number on someone\u2019s desk.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\"><b>isolation, language<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">I saw members of community struggling with social isolation, interaction, confidence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">To make any changes we need to remove this [people feeling isolated, unwelcome], bring people together with their own community and with their own people at first and then extend that to the host community. This is the source of my motivation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">When forced to leave and come here it was really difficult for him [my father] to do simple things like making a phone call to make an appointment&#8230; he waited a week or 2 to see his friend to ask him for help&#8230;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>personal experience<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">What I have been through in my life is the motivation. People try to help refugees without understanding their background\u2026 Trying to help without understanding will not benefit them over a sustained period. You are in pain&#8230; I can help because I have already been through all of that.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>2.It\u2019s who I am personally<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">My awareness of justice and people\u2019s rights&#8230; I can see the inequalities in a lot of ways and it\u2019s against my conscience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">I was a community activist in my country. It\u2019s always been part of my life to work to help others. Whilst waiting for decision from Home Office I had a lot of time, but it continued after the decision.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">I feel it\u2019s part of my DNA. A moral duty to do something to help someone who is struggling. Also as a Christian about being a good Samaritan. Some of the injustices we see are also political.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">It\u2019s about finding a solution to a crisis and an emotional attachment to people in need.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">I was born to be an activist, but I was using skills in the wrong way&#8230; Not an activist in [country of birth]\u2026. Coming to this country and seeing people in difficulties lead to me being an activist.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>my family<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">It\u2019s natural, it\u2019s who I am. My sister, both my aunt and mother look after orphans. It\u2019s in the family\u2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>linked with why I became an asylum seeker or refugee<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">I had to leave home because I was an activist student and wouldn\u2019t shut up&#8230;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">I will not stand by and let evil\/bad actions flourish. This is what got me into trouble in my own country. Worried that this talking out would affect my claim. The Home Office would say \u201cwe don\u2019t want troublemakers like you here\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-994c4db447e279cab fusion-toggle-has-divider\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_994c4db447e279cab\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"994c4db447e279cab\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-2762-4\" data-target=\"#994c4db447e279cab\" href=\"#994c4db447e279cab\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">5. What has being \u2018an activist\u2019 brought to your life? <\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"994c4db447e279cab\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_994c4db447e279cab\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<p><b>there are personal costs<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">Also gives me some extra trauma, maybe perhaps affecting my family.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">Misery! When you are an activist you take on more that your share of things&#8230; I\u2019m volunteering 24 hours a day.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Satisfaction<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">Satisfaction. I feel great that I\u2019ve done something useful to help&#8230; I\u2019m not isolated at home. Many people in the community have mental health issues, including as a result of isolation.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">Satisfaction in helping others, bringing a positive change to your community.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">Made me feel good; giving back to community that is supporting you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">To be honest I love it, helping people. I just do what I can for them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">The honour of being an actor of development at grassroots level.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Personal development and learning<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">It makes me understand how I am strong and that I have a lot to give and a good potential for future life to build a lot of things in my life. There is hope to change.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">I\u2019ve learned a lot&#8230; I\u2019ve learned to be in the middle about assumptions and prejudices of local residents and refugee and asylum seekers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">I know more when I became a refugee; that influences my views, that influences my friends and networks, that influences my way of thinking and life. It shapes your perspective on life and the world. Being an activist isn\u2019t an exercise you would do and forget about it. It\u2019s about setting up your life, the way you think, what lense do you see the world with.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">More patient now: when you hear of other peoples\u2019 problems it makes you more patient.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">Being an activist, being a spokesperson, having a voice has helped my life and those around me. When we come together, we will always prevail.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator\" style=\"align-self: flex-start;margin-right:auto;margin-top:30px;width:100%;max-width:200px;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator\" style=\"align-self: flex-start;margin-right:auto;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:40px;width:100%;max-width:200px;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:#fec96b;border-color:#fec96b;border-top-width:3px;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"accordian fusion-accordian\" style=\"--awb-border-size:1px;--awb-icon-size:13px;--awb-content-font-size:var(--awb-typography4-font-size);--awb-icon-alignment:left;--awb-hover-color:#f9f9f9;--awb-border-color:#cccccc;--awb-background-color:#ffffff;--awb-divider-color:var(--awb-color3);--awb-divider-hover-color:var(--awb-color3);--awb-icon-color:#ffffff;--awb-title-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-content-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-icon-box-color:#ffae23;--awb-toggle-hover-accent-color:#ffae23;--awb-title-font-family:var(--awb-typography1-font-family);--awb-title-font-weight:var(--awb-typography1-font-weight);--awb-title-font-style:var(--awb-typography1-font-style);--awb-title-font-size:16px;--awb-title-letter-spacing:1px;--awb-title-line-height:1.5;--awb-content-font-family:var(--awb-typography4-font-family);--awb-content-font-weight:var(--awb-typography4-font-weight);--awb-content-font-style:var(--awb-typography4-font-style);\"><div class=\"panel-group fusion-toggle-icon-boxed\" id=\"accordion-2762-5\"><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-b091610ab9cc49be4 fusion-toggle-has-divider\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_b091610ab9cc49be4\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"b091610ab9cc49be4\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-2762-5\" data-target=\"#b091610ab9cc49be4\" href=\"#b091610ab9cc49be4\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">Participants <\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"b091610ab9cc49be4\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_b091610ab9cc49be4\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<p class=\"p1\">13 research participants from our membership were selected on a range of criteria. These were: gender, geographical location in North East, county of origin, length of involvement, aims of organisation\/ type of support provided, degree of RCO formalization. One person, recovering from Covid, declined to participate. The project&#8217;s Research Steering Group consisted of five people who were part of the Forums\u2019 governance and management. Two people were both part of the steering group and participated in the research. One of those wishes to remain anonymous. Our thanks to them all.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">Bini Araia<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Elizabeth Sunduzwayo<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Gaby Kitoko<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Herbert Dirahu<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Maya George<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Mo Ali Abdullah<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Dr Mohamed Nasreldin<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Ramatoulie Saidykhan<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Riada Kullani<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Sara Fatima<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Sarah<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Shams Moussa<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Suraiya Riyaz <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>The late Dr Tebabu Wubetu<\/li>\n<li>and Georgina Fletcher<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-4 fusion-flex-container video-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-no-small-visibility\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:150px;--awb-padding-bottom:150px;--awb-border-sizes-top:0px;--awb-border-sizes-bottom:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fullwidth-video\"><video preload=\"auto\" autoplay playsinline loop muted><source src=\"https:\/\/www.refugeevoices.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/about.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\"><\/video><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:104%;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-4 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-right:11%;--awb-padding-left:11%;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-9\"><h1 style=\"text-align: center; color: #fff; font-size: 40px;\">CONTACTS<\/h1>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:40px;width:100%;max-width:200px;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:#faa634;border-color:#faa634;border-top-width:3px;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-10\"><p style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 17px; color: #fff; font-weight: 300;\">If you have an idea to improve lives in your community, and want to join action for change, then get in touch with us today.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:25px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-0 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:33.333333333333%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:0px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:5.76%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-1 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:0px;--awb-width-medium:33.333333333333%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:0px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:0px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-1 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" style=\"--button_accent_color:#ffffff;--button_accent_hover_color:#faa634;--button_border_hover_color:#faa634;--button_border_width-top:2px;--button_border_width-right:2px;--button_border_width-bottom:2px;--button_border_width-left:2px;--button_gradient_top_color:rgba(254,201,107,0);--button_gradient_bottom_color:rgba(254,201,107,0);--button_gradient_top_color_hover:rgba(0,0,0,0);--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:rgba(0,0,0,0);\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.refugeevoices.org.uk\/index.php\/contact\/\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">CONTACTS<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-2 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:0px;--awb-width-medium:33.333333333333%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:5.76%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:0px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-5 fusion-flex-container fusion-parallax-none nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-no-medium-visibility fusion-no-large-visibility\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:150px;--awb-padding-bottom:150px;--awb-background-image:url(&quot;https:\/\/www.refugeevoices.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/contact.jpg&quot;);--awb-background-size:cover;--awb-border-sizes-top:0px;--awb-border-sizes-bottom:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:104%;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-5 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-right:11%;--awb-padding-left:11%;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-11\"><h1 style=\"text-align: center; color: #fff; font-size: 40px;\">CONTACTS<\/h1>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:40px;width:100%;max-width:200px;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:#fec96b;border-color:#fec96b;border-top-width:3px;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-12\"><p style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 17px; color: #fff; font-weight: 300;\">If you have an idea to improve lives in your community, and want to join action for change, then get in touch with us today.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:25px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-3 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:33.333333333333%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:0px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:5.76%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-4 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:0px;--awb-width-medium:33.333333333333%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:0px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:0px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-2 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" style=\"--button_accent_color:#ffffff;--button_accent_hover_color:#fec96b;--button_border_hover_color:#fec96b;--button_border_width-top:2px;--button_border_width-right:2px;--button_border_width-bottom:2px;--button_border_width-left:2px;--button_gradient_top_color:rgba(254,201,107,0);--button_gradient_bottom_color:rgba(254,201,107,0);--button_gradient_top_color_hover:rgba(0,0,0,0);--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:rgba(0,0,0,0);\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.refugeevoices.org.uk\/index.php\/contact\/\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">CONTACTS<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-5 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:0px;--awb-width-medium:33.333333333333%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:5.76%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:0px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-6 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:calc( 100% + 0px );margin-left: calc(-0px \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-0px \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-6 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:0px;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:0px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:0px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:0px;--awb-spacing-left-small:0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-13\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-2762","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.refugeevoices.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2762","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.refugeevoices.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.refugeevoices.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.refugeevoices.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.refugeevoices.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2762"}],"version-history":[{"count":36,"href":"https:\/\/www.refugeevoices.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2762\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4343,"href":"https:\/\/www.refugeevoices.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2762\/revisions\/4343"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.refugeevoices.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2762"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}