Migrant Action

Empowerment Advocacy Justice

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Structural vulnerability- The impact of Covid-19 on International Students at University of Leeds

19th August 2021 by ficheb

Caroline Starkey (University of Leeds) and Fidelis Chebe (Migrant Action)

Between October 2021 and April 2022, Migrant Action will be partnering with a group of University of Leeds BA Liberal Arts students to undertake a research project exploring the impact of covid-19 on international students at the University of Leeds.  Our BA Liberal Arts degree is an exciting and flexible degree programme, where students choose to ‘major’ in one of six subjects (English, History, Philosophy, Cultural Studies, Politics or Sociology) but also take a number of other courses from across different disciplines. Students from the second year of the degree programme will be partnering with Migrant Action on this new and innovative research project as part of a core module that engages students with external partners, and supports them to undertake impactful research activities with a specific focus.  

We know that Covid-19 exposed the structural vulnerabilities and inequalities in our society and disproportionately impacted particular groups of people, including at our University.  International students, from undergraduate to PhD level, have been significantly affected by the restrictions operational in society, and at the University. Many of them may have moved to the UK just as the country was locking down, and they might be living in an unfamiliar area, with few support networks.  

Due to the nature of online teaching, many international students (like home students) will not have met their lecturers or peers and might have increased struggles to access materials and academic support, as well as be uncertain about how to engage with wellbeing and mental health support, being far away from home and loved ones. In response to this, our project sets out to investigate the experiences of international students studying in the University of Leeds, and to raise awareness (both in the University and beyond) of the issues that they have faced (and continue to face) as the world struggles to manage the covid-19 pandemic. 

 In this project, students will be supported to conduct empirical research with UoL international students, and will be working closely together with Migrant Action and academic supervisors to guide the research.  Although the outcomes of the project will be student-led, we are hoping that our Liberal Arts students will be able to present the results of the research in a creative way, in either film or podcast format, so that the voices and needs of international students are highlighted and centred.  This is an exciting and cutting-edge project, which might really make a difference to understanding international students’ experiences under Covid.

Migrant Action has also offered internships at the University of Swansea

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Temitope Salami is completing a summer internship as a research and support officer, working closely with the Director/Project Leader to develop a research project/briefing paper on the connections between the UK’s ‘New Plan’ for Immigration, COVID-19 pandemic, and implications for migrants, through a content analysis of segments of the British press, and a documentary analysis of Migrant Action’s casework. Prior to joining Migrant Action, he volunteered with Harm Reduction International as a research assistant in the Human Rights and Justice Department with a focus on global drug policy. His contributions included research on the Death Penalty for Drug Offences: Global Overview 2020 and a review of human rights standards on the impact of drug policies (right to health, elimination of discrimination against women and girls, arbitrary detention, and torture) which generated a briefing paper for the United Nations Human Rights Council. He is an MA candidate in Applied Criminal Justice & Criminology at Swansea University and holds a Masters and BSc in Legislative Studies and Political Science from the University of Benin and Babcock University, respectively.

Filed Under: frontpage, frontslider, Our Activities, Reports and Case Studies, Uncategorized

Migrant Action’s response to ‘The New Plan for Immigration’

29th April 2021 by ficheb

On 23 rd  March 2021, the UK Government announced sweeping changes to how it will treat people seeking safety in the UK. These changes signal the Government’s firm resolve to pursue even more hostile and inhumane treatment for people forced to flee and seeking sanctuary in the UK.

The ‘New Plan for Immigration’ undermines the sanctity of life and disregards the compassionate treatment of asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants by humanitarian agencies and millions of ordinary people of goodwill.  Of grave concern, these changes legitimize state-sanctioned cruelty and signal a disturbing trajectory for the future of migrant rights and justice and the prospects of a fair, just, and harmonious society. The plan risks criminalizing people seeking sanctuary.

The timing and framing of the Government’s consultation on the ‘New Plan for Immigration’ expose the reluctance to genuinely listen and its resolve to pursue the policy- (for more details on the shortcomings of the consultation set out in a public statement by Refugee Action, click the link below).

Migrant Action stands in solidarity with the voices for compassion, equity of rights and justice, and for a fair, just, and humane immigration system. Through our collaborative work, we uphold and value the sanctity and dignity of human lives threatened increasingly by protracted conflicts and complex political emergencies as well, structural violence exemplified in part, by the Government’s ‘new plan for immigration. 
 
For more responses to the ‘New Plan for Immigration’, see links below

How Quakers can respond to the Government’s New Plan for Immigration ‘consultation’ *** ends 6 May 2021
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10MKdFDt1IHFYNDI5Poge0BUIIrLKpeqLmQCMogS75lE/edit
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrpXrE5JrHwAuKfiIt_y5NTYrLTAPZobhDriI87PMoevK6DQ/viewform?gxids=7628
Opposing this government’s new plan for immigration
Over 70 leaders working with refugee women come together to highlight to the Home Secretary that her new plan for immigration will harm women
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/priti-patel-immigration-plans-women-refugees-b1840281.html

Filed Under: frontpage, frontslider, Uncategorized

How to Lead, Manage and Support Others

25th April 2021 by ficheb

A development programme for community leaders and emerging managers.

To develop leadership capacity, value lived experience and influence system change – Migrant Action & Nicola Parker Coaching Consultancy will co-deliver a leadership development program for 10 emerging leaders and managers from migrant-focused & migrant-led organisations. The program offers a valuable opportunity to enhance knowledge, develop leadership skills and network.

Through this programme you will…

– Understand key skills to support, manage & lead people effectively

– Explore what leadership & management means

– Build relationships with other leaders & emerging managers in migrant organisations

– Develop coaching skills useful for life in and around work

– Reflect on how you will lead or manage in uncertain time.

Dates: Delivered via 3 X 2 hour sessions on zoom on 29 April, 27 May & 24 June (10am-12pm). Ongoing group support will be delivered by Migrant Action after the programmes to ensure the group continues to connect, support and learn from one another. For more information please contact Fidelis Chebe at info@migrantaction.org.uk

Filed Under: frontpage, Our Activities

MIGRANT ACTION: COVID19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Health Justice online workshop

23rd March 2021 by ficheb

We are delighted to announce that Migrant Action will be running an online workshop on 14th April 2021 at 10 am that focuses on migrant and BME communities and the difficulty they face in regards to the COVID19 vaccine

BME communities continue to be overrepresented in Covid-19 related hospitalisations and deaths. The crushing economic impact of Covid-19 is most visible amongst these communities who are overrepresented at the ‘frontline’ and in the most precarious, disposable, insecure and low paid jobs. Migrants, who have no recourse to public funds, don’t have a ‘safety-net’ to fall back whilst those with insecure or irregular immigration status, are wary about participating in Covid-19 responses including the vaccine.

Whilst vaccine ‘hesitancy’ is complex, covid-19 outcomes for BME and migrant communities are precariously obvious.

Migrant Action is organising a collaborative workshop to:

– Enhance constructive discourse about covid-19/vaccine

– Ensure equity of access to the vaccine

– Challenge conspiracies and transform vaccine hesitancy

This workshop features special guest keynote speakers:

– Anna Miller and Matteo Besana (Doctors of the World)

– Aliya Yule (Migrants Organise)

– Tesfalem Yemane (RETAS)

To purchase tickets for the online workshop:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/migrant-action-covid19-vaccine-hesitancy-and-health-justice-workshop-tickets-147436359119?keep_tld=1

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Filed Under: frontpage, Our Activities, Uncategorized

Enhancing Migrant advocacy and support

21st March 2021 by ficheb

Migrant Action, ELSH and CRT have established a new collaborative framework. The framework is a strategic response to the limited support provision for migrants in Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham. Our organisations recognise the importance of a more joined- up approach in order to enhance service offer and effective strategic advocacy for migrants. Covid-19, and Brexit and the relentless hostile environment policies together constitute a very challenging landscape for migrants to navigate. This challenging landscape would encompass but not limited to; insecure immigration, destitution, discrimination, labour exploitation, homelessness, limited access welfare, legal justice, healthcare, housing, education and other wider opportunities for social integration.

Through this new integrated partnership; Migrant Action, ELSH and CRT will seek to:
 Enhance service provision for migrants in Barnsley
 Increase positive pathways for integration
 Challenge structural injustice and increase strategic advocacy for migrants

Following this new partnership, Migrant Action working in collaboration with ELSH, are delivering ESOL and functional skills to new arrivals and long term migrants in Barnsley as part of their integration support. Migrant Action have also recruited an advocacy & Integration adviser to provide advocacy and integration support for migrants in Barnsley.


Collaborating with CRT, ELSH and other local agencies, Migrant Action will facilitate access to mainstream support for migrants thereby ensuring effective integration and migrant justice

Babita – Advocacy & Integration Worker
Julie – ESOL Tutor

Filed Under: frontpage

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About Migrant Action

Migrant Action is an advocacy and rights-based organisation supporting migrants to feel welcome, access their rights and justice and to effectively integrate in the UK.  We help migrants through providing information, advice & guidance, advocacy support, access to legal immigration advice, ESOL & employability support, and other forms of practical assistance to ‘vulnerable’ migrants to ensure ‘rights’ awareness and access to mainstream services. Our model of support is holistic, person-centred and system oriented to ensure equity of rights and justice for migrants. In addition to our direct … Read more ..

Recent Posts

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS & ESOL GRAMMAR FOR  BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT

Migration Partnership Barnsley: Engaging Communities, Transforming lives 

Structural vulnerability & Migration- The impact of Covid-19 on International Students at University of Leeds

The Migration Partnership Barnsley- MPB

‘Little Amal’ Sanctuary Not Hostility!

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Migration Partnership Barnsley: Engaging Communities, Transforming lives 

Migrant Action and its partners have launched a new initiative aimed to better engage with and serve migrant communities in Barnsley.  Covid-19 disproportionately affected minoritized communities especially irregular migrants and people with no recourse to public funds. The pandemic also exacerbated pre-existing inequalities and fragile community structures and relationships that undermine effective engagement, access, and representation of migrant communities. 

The Migration Partnership (a collaboration of Migrant Action, Feels Like Home, The Polish Library and ELSH) offers a migrant-led infrastructure for the sustainable engagement and meaningful participation of migrant communities in mainstream activity.    The new Multi-agency Hub drop-in (weekly) at Hope House Church will allow a practical and safe space for collaborative service delivery and better access of holistic service provision in Barnsley. It will also act as a local Connection hub for strengthening relationships across services, migrant communities and local authority through conversations and better understanding of the realities of migrant and local communities.  Overall, the multi-agency hub acts as a catalyst for change by improving access to services, ensure effective integration and stronger communities and transforming lives. 

Huge thanks to Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council for endorsing and resourcing the work of the Migration Partnership. 

For more information about the Migration Partnership and Multi-agency Hub (drop-in), please contact Fidelis Chebe, fidelis@migrantaction.org.uk  or migrationpartnershipbarnsley@gmail.com

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