By Jenny Loudon, Development worker for the Wellbeing Project
We have had a cycling group as part of the Wellbeing Project for the past 12 months in a local park in Manchester. Read the rest of this entry »
Migration: Where next?
February 9th, 2011
This week, we at Refugee Action did something a bit different and took part in a roundtable discussion on the future of migration policy, held at Westminster. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Sara Ayech
Refugee Action attends Justice for All campaign launch and MP lobby
January 14th, 2011
Shadow Justice Minister speaks at Justice for All launch
Our Fresh Start Specialist Santok Odedra and myself attended the Justice for All launch at parliament yesterday. We were able to meet Liz Kendall (MP Leicester West) and discuss with her the impact of the proposed legal aid cuts. As we waited for Liz in the Central Lobby, I was struck by the volume of supporters present and how everyone seemed to be engaged in so much discussion. It was very encouraging to see so many. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Sara Ayech
Justice for All campaign launch today!
January 12th, 2011
Today, I and others from Refugee Action will join campaigners from Citizens Advice Bureau, Shelter, Unite, and others concerned about proposed cuts to free legal aid and independent advice, to converge on Westminster for the official launch of the Justice for all campaign.
Over 1400 legal and advice agencies, other charities, politicians, trade unions, community groups and members of the public have already signed up to the campaign. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Sara Ayech
What Human Rights Day means for asylum
December 10th, 2010
Human Rights Day 2010 is about recognising the work of human rights defenders around the world.
Many of those individuals have put their lives on the line to speak out against discrimination, violence and oppression and defend the basic rights of all to dignity and equality.
Posted by Sara Ayech
Director Magdalen Bartlett tells the story behind ‘Break the Silence: How I Became An Asylum Seeker’
November 18th, 2010
On Sunday 28 November at 3pm at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, Women for Refugee Women will present Break the Silence: How I Became An Asylum Seeker, a play written by Lydia Besong, who sought asylum here from Cameroon, and performed by Lydia and fellow members of Women Asylum Seekers Together. This will be followed by a discussion including Juliet Stevenson, Helen Bamber, Natasha Walter and Bridget Phillipson MP. Tickets are available from the Riverside Studios, www.riversidestudios.co.uk . Here, the play’s director, Magdalen Bartlett, writes about her experience of being involved in this unique project. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Sara Ayech
Our Marathon runner Chris, on why he’s running for Refugee Action
November 16th, 2010
The question is not, “Why run a marathon for Refugee Action?” – look around this website, read the news and maybe look around the streets where you live to see why their work is so important. The question is – “Why run a marathon, at all?” Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Sara Ayech
Refugee Action’s response to Comprehensive Spending Review
October 20th, 2010In response to the Comprehensive Spending Review in which the Home Office is set to make cuts of 23% to its budget over four years, Dave Garratt, acting Chief Executive of Refugee Action, said:
“Refugee Action is acutely aware of the need to make spending cuts within the Home Office, and we welcome UKBA plans to cut their budget by reducing waste and simplifying systems. It is also vital that people fleeing war and human rights abuses get the protection they deserve. We believe that voluntary sector agencies like Refugee Action are the key to getting this balance right. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Chiara Gnoli
Who is to blame for our devastation?
October 20th, 2010
Ahmad Masood Wahed
After independence in 1919, Afghanistan gradually tried to open its doors and welcome the freedom of democracy instigated by King Amanullah Khan in the early 20th century. As a pioneer of democracy and liberalisation,he (unusually in the history of Afghanistan’s kingdom) allowed his wife, the Queen Suraya, to be involved in building a strong liberal and modern society in Afghanistan. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Chiara Gnoli
A refugee’s son – Ed Miliband
October 13th, 2010
“In 1940, my grandfather, with my dad, climbed onto one of the last boats out of Belgium. They had to make a heart breaking decision – to leave behind my grandmother and my father’s sister. They spent the war in hiding, in a village sheltered by a brave local farmer. Month after month, year upon year, they lived in fear of the knock at the door… Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Chiara Gnoli