1. February, 2016

2. Pope Francis “Faced with the tragedy of thousands of refugees fleeing from death from war or hunger, heading for the hope of a life, the Gospel is calling us and asking us to be "neighbours" to the littlest ones, the most abandoned ones. To give them real hope. Not just to say, "Be strong, be patient...!" Christian hope fights with the tenacity of someone aiming for a definite goal.... I am appealing to the parishes, religious communities, monasteries and shrines of the whole of Europe to show how real the Gospel is by welcoming a family of refugees.... Every parish, every religious community, every monastery and every sanctuary in Europe ought to host a family...”

3. Who is a refugee? - Legal Definition 1951 Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, art. 1(A)2: The person is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence The person is unwilling/unable to seek protection from that country Because of a well-founded fear of persecution Due to race, religion, nationality, social group, or political opinion Human Rights Act means that those facing torture or inhuman treatment may also be granted refugee status in the UK

4. Who is a refugee? - Church Definition Core document: Refugees: A Challenge to Solidarity 1992 Synthesis of 100 years of social teaching Geneva Convention plus those fleeing armed conflicts, natural disasters or erroneous economic policy (which threatens their lives and physical safety) outside or inside their own countries

5. TERMINOLOGY MIGRANT ECONOMIC MIGRANT ASYLUM SEEKER REFUGEE FAILED ASYLUM SEEKER DESTITUTE ASYLUM SEEKER CAMPS... On borders of Syria CAMPS... In Lesbos and elsewhere in Europe CAMPS... In Calais, Boulogne, Dunkirk. UNHCR: United Nations High Commission For Refugees SRP: Syrian Resettlement Scheme Private Sponsorship

7. Total for whole of 2015: 1,037,000

8. ANALYSIS 1.SYRIANS IN CAMPS Syrian Resettlement Programme (SRP) The government will accept 20,000 over 5 years; coming in with refugee status; given ‘Leave to remain’ for 5 years; fully funded for 1 year; needing local support. – I,000 people in before Christmas 2015 – Previously known as: VPRS (Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme)

10. ANALYSIS 2. SYRIANS IN CAMPS Additional to 20,000: PRIVATE SPONSORSHIP Coming in with refugee status; given ‘Leave to remain’ for 5 years; No funding. Dependant on local support. Co-ordinated nationally by CITIZENS UK Coordinated locally by Rev Phil Jump from Baptists First costing suggests around £800 pm per family

11. ANALYSIS 3. ON THE MOVE TO AND THROUGH EUROPE Fewer safe points of entry to Europe. Increasing reluctance of host communities. By the end of the year 1,037,000 people had arrived in Europe CAMPS

15. ANALYSIS 4. CAMPS on French coast Not all are trying to get to the UK. Some are waiting for housing in France. No safe way to enter UK.

16. ANALYSIS 5. IN THE UK In the Asylum Seeker process Registered in Croydon Dispersed across the UK Majority in north west Dispersal areas being increased e.g. 8 in Skelmersdale in September 18 out of 19 local authorities in North West have agreed to accept asylum seekers.

19. ANALYSIS 6. REFUSED STATUS Destitute, failed asylum seekers Bill going through Parliament to remove support from the children of these families. Support given for return to country of origin. These people go underground.

20. ANALYSIS 7. DESTITUTE REFUGEE Destitute because of failures in the system of moving from ‘asylum seeker’ to ‘refugee’. Far from their problems being over, they’ve just begun. After getting ‘status’, new refugees have 28 days to 1. find accommodation 2. get a job 3. open a bank account.  You can’t give a deposit if you’ve no money.  You can’t get work if you’ve no address.  It’s hard to get a job without a bank account.

21. Maps and pie charts to the right sourced from article by Prof Heaven Crawley, December 2015 HOW BIG A PROBLEM IS IT?

22. RESPONSE 1. SRP: Indicate willingness to offer pastoral support, liaise with local authority. 2. Private Sponsorship: Endorse scheme and look for pilot parish or grouping. 3. On the move to and through Europe: Support organisations that are on the ground via Caritas network 4. In camps: Offer financial support via Caritas network 5. In UK: Encourage more support for local organisations eg ALM*, SWAP*, LASAR*, MRANG*, etc, Nugent Care 6. Failed: Support as above. 7. Destitute: Support where cases are known. * Asylum Link Merseyside Support Wigan Arrivals Project Leigh Asylum Seekers And Refugees Merseyside Refugee Pre and Post Natal Support Group

23. ACTION National: shared practice, coordination from cbcew Diocesan: J&P sub group (ecumenical) Pastoral Areas: Call meetings, form small teams, mapping of resources, scope what is already happening, ecumenical links, council links, MP Parishes: As above Ecumenical: Work together, share resources, etc Local Authorities: Work alongside, offer assistance, keep informed

24. HOW CAN WE HELP? WELCOME INTEGRATION SETTLING IN FEELING AT HOME LEARNING HOW TO SURVIVE IN THE UK

25. LEARNING HOW TO SURVIVE IN THE UK WHAT IS NEEDED? SPEAK THE LANGUAGE – Conversation – Travel – Fill in forms – Get a job UK CULTURE – Treatment of women – Treatment of children – Queueing SHOPPING – Money – Supermarkets USE PUBLIC SERVICES – Doctors – Dentists – Schools – Job centres IN A UK HOUSE – Cookers – Other appliances – Bins DRESS APPROPRIATELY – Keeping warm

26. ACCOMMODATIONEmpty parish properties Housing Associations Parishioners with properties to let Spare rooms in people’s houses LANGUAGE ESOL teachersTranslationArabic speakersTigrinya speakers MONEYRentReady cashAccess to benefits Fund raising EDUCATIONAccess to schools Adult educationChildren’s services Child care GOODSFurniture, bedding, etc Cooking equipment Children’s prams and other equipment Food MEDICALAccess to doctors Access to dentists Access to opticians Access to psychological services INTEGRATIONFriendshipUK cultureJobsTransport LEGAL SERVICESKnowledge of Asylum law Management of properties Management of projects CATEGORIES to help survey how we can respond to needs

27. VOLUNTEER ROLE DESCRIPTION: PARISH BASED BEFRIENDER PURPOSE To provide support to asylum seekers and refugees living in the local community TASKS EXCLUDED TASKS 1.Help to run an informal drop-in 2.Provide a warm welcome 3.Provide information on local amenities: # Libraries # Doctors # Shops # Play groups # Leisure facilities # etc 1.Help with English conversation 2.Help with written English 3.Sign-post people to specialist advice Volunteers will not be asked to give specialist advice on: # Housing # Benefits # Asylum law # Home Office procedure WHERE Community venue in local neighbourhood TIME COMMITMENT Session length will depend on local arrangements but usually between 1.5 and 2 hrs TRAINING The organising group will run a short induction process LINE MANAGEMENT The organising group will offer mentoring and regular debriefing sessions CONTACT INFORMATION Each organising group will provide publicity (posters and leaflets, etc) to inform the local churches and media of the initiative HOW TO APPLY Each organising group will set its own criteria and process SAFEGUARDING Each organisation will need to be compliant with legislation appropriate to the age of the refugees. (All refugees and asylum seekers are classed as vulnerable) DEVELOPMENT # Access to internet # ESOL classes # Homework clubs # Lifts to appointments # Trips to local sites, seaside, etc

28. SERCO Lisa Dysch General manager lisa.dysch@serco.com 01925 284400 mob 07718194769 lisa.dysch@serco.com Maggie Steel Properties manager Maggie.steel@serco.com 07718054402 Joe Collett joe.collett@serco.com

29. February, 2016