Migrant Action

Empowerment Advocacy Justice

Paul Hamlyn Foundation: Peer learning session

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In 2017, Migrant Action was selected to take part in a peer learning session organised by Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Facilitated by Esther Foreman CEO of Social Change agency, Fidelis joined the CEOs of PRAXIS, Migrant Resource Centre and Refugee and Migrant Centre. Themed around ‘Movement building for service delivery organisations’ the sessions focused on sustainability and leadership, Communications, Strategy, Service User Voice and advocacy, Service delivery and challenging power.

The Peer learning session also involved an Action learning exercise whereby peers guided each other’s reflection and thinking on strategic organisational challenges and offered honest feedback and guidance. This was extremely useful shared learning from peers with lived experience and expertise. The learning gained from the sessions would be factored into our service delivery and service development plans.

Through participating in the learning set, Migrant Action has built new links and is seeking to establish strategic partnerships with Migrant Resource Centre and PRAXIS both having extensive experience of working with other migrants including irregular migrants.
Overall, it’s been an enriching and enabling exercise, very worthwhile.

Working in the Jungle – Calais

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Delivering humanitarian assistance in the Jungle
Delivering humanitarian assistance in the Jungle

In December 2015 my friends and I joined the community of volunteers in the ‘jungle’ in Calais. There is no way of capturing the experience in words because it was simply overwhelming. But I would say this, our hearts were ripped by the sense of agony, despair, oppression, dehumanisation, destitution and suffering within the camp.

However, the sense of resilience, community, compassion, hope and solidarity amongst migrants and volunteers was hugely inspirational. Wrestling between these 2 compelling conflicting emotions sustains our drive and determination to do more.