Migrant Action

Empowerment Advocacy Justice

Case Study: Michal

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Michal is a polish national who came to the UK in January 2019 with the hope of finding a better life.  He arrived with 1200.00 euros and through his connections found accommodation. Michal has been struggling since then to navigate his way in the Barnsley in terms of integration (work, welfare, GP registration, learning English etc.) 

He was referred to Migrant Action in March 2019 and he attended our drop-in in Barnsley having been threatened with eviction owing £440.00 in rent arrears, had no job but had received an offer from ASOS on condition that he had a bank account with specific banks. He couldn’t apply for universal credit due to not meeting the criteria for EU migrants applying for welfare and he was also expressing signs of mental and physical distress.  His English language was minimal which constituted an added significant barrier.

After supporting Michal for over a month, he has now successfully applied for benefits, opened a bank account and secured a job with ASOS which starts in April.  We also helped to prevent him being made homeless and criminalised which would damaged his integration prospects and possibly affected his physical and mental health. Migrant Action is also working with local partners to help Michal access English language ESOL and conversational classes to improve his language and communication ability.   Michal is very pleased with the support and sent us this feedback. 

‘Tomorrow, I probably start work in asos or on Friday at the company shop, after paying me out I want to give you £ 10 for Leeds mr. Fidelis.repay in free time.’Thank you for your help and support, and I will certainly find time to meet you. I now have my My aspirations for the UK are:job,transfer of driving license from Polish to English, Acquiring premises for renovation,Improving qualifications in IT,Mastering English to perfection, Obtaining UK citizenship in the future’

This case study captures the essence of Migrant Action’s existence and purpose. Within Michal’s story are the stories and experiences of many migrants who seek our support. As an organisation we continue to ensure that people are not trapped in vulnerability, rather they are empowered to realise their hopes, aspirations and full potential.

Happy New Year from Migrant Action

Dear friends of Migrant Action,

In a few hours, we will be saying ‘good-bye’ to 2021 and ‘welcome’ to 2022. Thank you for your solidarity and support helping to strengthen Migrant Action’s advocacy and pursuit for migrants’ rights & justice in an increasingly challenging and complex environment.  The essence of our work is even more relevant now!

Context

BREXIT, the ‘New immigration bill which reinforces the ‘hostile environment’ policy targeting migrants, the Climate crisis, Covid-19, Systemic racism, negative press narratives fuelling anti-migrant sentiments by sections of the media, protracted conflicts, political violence, human rights violations, economic exploitation, and political marginalisation of the global south.   

These developments constitute a disturbing environment for migrant’s rights & justice.  Firstly, it engineers and sustains vulnerability and the precarious conditions that trigger more mobility of migrants across and within countries.   Secondly, it entrenches and exacerbates an infrastructure that undermine migrants’ capacity to access justice, deepen inequality, racial & social injustice and routinely negate migrant rights and dignity.  In essence, such an environment poses an existential threat to the dignity and humanity of migrants.

Our Response

Migrant Action is adapting and responding to this changing and complex context. We have expanded provision and adapted service delivery model to proactively support vulnerable migrants during the pandemic and beyond. We enhanced our delivery of crisis interventions to prevent homelessness & destitution, increased access to immigration advice for people with insecure immigration, increased integration support for new migrants, assisted more EU migrants to regularise their immigration status in the UK after Brexit.   Our advocacy work continues to promote equity of rights and justice for migrants. Essentially, Migrant Action continues to a lifeline and safety net for vulnerable migrants in this challenging environment.

Migrant Action has also strengthened its capacity and resilience in pursuit of transformational social change. The current context demands more urgency to challenge anti-migrant sentiments and policies, tackle structural inequalities, climate change, systemic racism, and social injustice. To this vein, our strategic advocacy through ‘Strengthening Hands’ partnerships to grow migrant ‘voice’, as well as our collaborative research, capacity building and campaign-based activities have been impactful.

Looking to the future

Migrant Action anticipates operating in an even more challenging context as it grapples with the issues undermining rights and justice. However, we have emerged from 2020/21 with more capacity and resilience to respond to present and future challenges working as a team with staff, volunteers, trustees, partners, funders and of course, those we serve- migrants.  Therefore, we look forward to 2022 with greater hope and fierceness commitment to rights and justice for migrants, a fair and humane immigration system and for a more equal, just, and peaceful society in which everyone including migrants can realize their full potential.

Dear friends, your solidarity remains invaluable and integral to our success, even more so, now!

Thank you and Happy New Year!

Fidelis Chebe

Director