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The Diocese of Lichfield welcomes
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
A selection of stories illustrating some of the many ways in which members of churches across the Diocese of Lichfield
support asylum seekers and refugees.
Compiled by Charlotte Swan and Daniel Njuguna Edited by David Primrose
August 2017
Thestrangerwhoresideswithyoushallbetoyouasthecitizenamongyou;youshalllovethestrangerasyourself,foryouwerestrangersinthelandofEgypt:IamtheLordyourGod.
Leviticus19.34
Introduction Membersofchurchesacrossourdiocesearesupportingasylum-seekersandrefugeesinnumerousdifferentways,fromindividualactsofkindnesstoregularvolunteeringwithprojectsservingthosewhohavecometoliveamongus.AspartofBishopMichael’s2017LentAppealandinconjunctionwithhisHat-te-bahConferenceon13thNovember,weaskedchurch-memberstotellusaboutlocalprojectsknowntotheirchurchwhoseworksupportsrefugeesandasylum-seekers.CharlotteSwanandDanielNjugunahavefollowedupthisinitialsample,interviewingchurch-memberswithprojectstaffandproducingthisinspirationalcollectionofstories.Asyoureadtheseordinaryhumbleexamplesofpracticalgenerosityandfaithfulservice,youwillencounterthemesofhope,sharedblessings,andpersonaltransformation.Thereisacommitmenttojusticeforsomeoftheworld’smostvulnerablecitizensandanopportunitytoseeourChristianfaithputintopractice.Muchofthisministrytakesplaceecumenically,andinthewidercommunity.Itissharedhereforyourencouragement.
Weknowthatacrossthediocesetherewillbemanymoreexamplesofchurchmemberssupportingasylum-seekersandrefugeesbothindividuallyandaspartoftheirlocalchurch.Thiswillinvolvedirectengagementaswellasparticipationinestablishedprojects.Pleaseemailtc@lichfield.anglican.orgwithanymorestoriessothatwecanaddthesetothosepostedonourdiocesanwebsite.
Prayer Asanaidtopersonalandcorporateprayer,BishopMichaelhaswrittenthisprayer:
FaithfulGod,Yourpeoplehavelivedinthemidstofchaosandoppression,Andjourneyedacrossborderstocontributetonewlivesbuiltonjusticeandpeace.Grantthatwemayrecogniseyourpresenceinthosewhocometousseekingrefugeandasylum,Andrespondwithopenarmsandgeneroushearts.Maythewelcomewegivebeaforetasteofthewelcomethatawaitsusall,WhenwegatheringlorybeforeyourThrone.Amen.
Action Contactdetailsforprojectsmentionedinthisbooklet,alongwithotherusefulorganisations,areprovidedontheinsidebackcover.ParticularquestionscanbedirectedtoJamesHenderson,DevelopmentWorkerforTransformingCommunitiesTogether,ourdiocesanjointventurewithCUF,[email protected].
Contents Page
2. Introduction,PrayerandAction
3. Contents
4. SyrianRefugeeFamiliesandChurchesTogetherinOswestry
5. SanctuslinkedwithStMargaret’s,Betley&StPeter’s,Forsbrook
6. WolverhamptonCityofSanctuarylinkedwithStNicholas’,Codsall
7. WalsallBoroughofSanctuarylinkedwithStThomas’,Aldridge
8. HopeintoActionlinkedwithHolyTrinity,HeathTown
9. GreenfieldsAfricalinkedwithStPeter’s,StokeonTern
10. Refugee&MigrantCentrelinkedwithStLeonard’s,Bilston
11. TheThomasProjectlinkedwithStThomas’,Aldridge
12. HopeProjectslinkedwithStChad’s,Pattingham
13. BrushstrokeslinkedwithStPaul’s,Stafford
14. HopeCommunityProjectlinkedwithHolyTrinity,HeathTown
15. WalsallRefugee&AsylumSeekerSupportAssociationlinkedwithlocalchurches
16. MigrantEmpowermentGrouplinkedwithNearNeighbours
17. ContactDetails
18. Map
Syrian Refugee Families / Churches Together in Oswestry ThereisanexcitingnewdevelopmenttakingplaceatTheOswestryandBordersTrussellTrustFoodbank,aprojectruninpartnershipwith41localchurches.TheyareaddingfiveSyrianwomenintotheirteam,providingthemwithtraining,workexperience,theopportunitytoimprovetheirEnglishandaveryrealwaytomakefriends,tovolunteertheirtimeandtointegrateintotheeverydaylifeofOswestry.
Thesupportwillnotstopthere.AnewinitiativeisunderwaytosetupaJobClub.AswellashelpingunemployedpeoplewhohavelivedinOswestryforalongtime,thiswillbeavailabletotheSyrianparentsandtheirolderchildrenastheybegintolookforworkinthelocalarea.
Thelinkwiththesewomenandtheirfamilieshadalreadybeenwellestablished,sincetheymovedintotheareaunderthegovernment’sSyrianResettlementProgrammeaboutayearago.Thechurcheswerequicktoprovideawelcomeandpracticalhelp.Thishasincludedbuyingshoesandschooluniformsforthechildren,aChristmaspartywithfoodhampers,translationservicesandEnglishlessons.AstheworkofthetemporaryCUF-fundedRefugeeActionSupportWorkerends,thecontinuingsupportofthechurchesthroughthefoodbankwillbeevenmorevital.
LizJermy,thefoodbankmanager,hasalwaysseensocialjusticeasanintegralpartofherfaithand‘beingGod’shandsandfeetinthelocalcommunity’.Sheisdeeplycommittedtoworkingwithlocalpeopletoaddresslocalneeds.ReachingouttotheSyrianfamilieswasanaturalextensionoftheworkofthefoodbankandshesaysthatwhilstsheisalerttothepossibilityofprejudiceinapredominantlywhitetown,sheiscertainthattheopportunityforfriendshipswiththosefromadifferentcultureandfaithisdeeplyenrichingforeveryone.OneofthewomenisaChristianandtheotherfourareMuslims.Sheishopingthatoncetheyarevolunteeringtheywillallfeelabletojoininwiththeweeklyteamprayers.
ShropshirewasoneofthefirstcouncilsintheWestMidlandstohaveoptedintotheSyrianResettlementProgramme,whichthegovernmentiscommittedtoextendwithmoreresourcesforCommunitySponsorship.Thisministryisalreadyprovidingthechurchwithawonderfulopportunityto‘welcomethestranger’inaveryruralpartofLichfieldDiocese.
Sanctus / St Margaret’s Betley and St Peter’s Forsbrook StMargaret’s,BetleyandStPeter’s,ForsbrookinStaffordshirearetwoofmanychurchesthatsupporttheworkofSanctusinStokeonTrent.Forbothcongregations,theirinterestandcommitmentwassparkedbyhearingspeakersfromSanctussharingabouttheprojectandtheneedsandchallengesfacingasylumseekersandrefugees,just‘uptheroad’fromthem.Theircompassionateresponsehasbeenbothfinancialandpractical;collectingbabyclothes,blanketsandbicycleswhichtheydelivertoSanctusatregularintervals.
Sanctus,basedatStMark’sChurchinSheltonandCentralHallinLongton,runstwoweeklydrop-inswherethosewhocomecanfindfriendship,advice,craftsessionsandEnglishclasses.Itisalsoanopportunitytoreceiveafoodparcelandbabyitems.Afterhavingenduredmanydifficultandoftentraumaticexperiences,thoseattendingvaluedgreatlytheatmosphereofwelcomeandcare.NareshfromNepalsaysitisaplaceinwhichhehasfounddignityandconfidenceasaperson,whereonceaweekhecanforgetaboutallhisproblemsforawhile.
Withthegrowingnumberofdestituteasylumseekers,Sanctusalsorunsahousingproject,whichgivespeopleaplacetoliveandasubsistencecashpaymentwhilsttheycontinuetopursuetheirasylumclaim.
LiuwithherhusbandChang,amiddleagedcouplefromChinaarrivedattheSanctusdrop-inonemorning.Theyweredesperate,homelessandinneedofurgentmedicalhelp.Bytheendofthedrop-inthatday,theyhadbedstosleepinandtheknowledgethattheywouldbesupportedandhelpedtoaccesstheservicestheyneeded.Overwhelmedbythegenerositysheencountered,Liusays‘Ineededtoknowwhytheyhelpedme,ifitwascomingfromtheirfaith,thenIwantedtofindoutaboutGod’.SheisnowgrowinginherownChristianfaithandgivingbacktoSanctusthroughherloveofcookingandcleaning.
FaithhasalsogrownamongstthosesupportingSanctus.Bernard,whooverseesthesupportfromStMargaret’s,Betleydescribeshowputtinghimselfforwardtoserveinthiswayhas
helpedtoreawakenhisfaithandbroughthimnewlifeandhesaysthat‘Iamhappier,moretolerantandmorepreparedtolisten’.HeenjoyshisvisitstodeliverthingstoSanctusandiskeentotakemorepeoplefromhischurchandcommunitytosharetheexperience.
Wolverhampton City of Sanctuary / St Nicholas’, Codsall Mike’sbiggestfather’sdaycardthisyearwasto‘PapaMike’andwasgiventohimbyFabrice,arefugeefromtheIvoryCoast.ThreeyearsagoMikeandhiswifehadbeenputintouchwithFabricethroughtheWolverhamptonCityofSanctuary.Shewassevenandhalfmonthspregnant,recentlyreleasedfromdetentionandwithoutanysupport.AfterhelpingFabricethroughthefinalstagesofpregnancy,bothsheandherlittlegirlhavebecomefamily.BirthdaypartiesandmanyotherspecialtimestogetherhavebeencelebratedandthisrelationshiphasextendedfurtherasFabriceandlittleAngenowsometimesattendthechurch.Mikecommentsthat‘thisconnectionhasaddedanextradimensiontoourlives;whenyouaregivingyouareactuallyreceiving’.
AnexcitingnewchapterinFabrice’sstoryisaplacementinthecateringdepartmentofJaguarLandRover,setupbytheAnglicanChaplainthere.Thelackofsuitableopportunitiesforworkexperienceandvolunteeringisagrowingissueforasylumseekers,keentointegrateandtocreateaCV,readyforjobapplicationsandestablishinganewlife.
TherearenoasylumseekersorrefugeesinthevillageofCodsall,butjustdowntheroadinWolverhamptonthereare800.FollowingameetingatStNicholas’Church,CodsallwithJamesHendersonfromTransformingCommunitiesTogether,agroupofchurchmemberssetuptheAsylumSeekerSupportGroup.TheyfocusonraisingawarenessandraisingfundsinCodsallandthesurroundingdeanery,tosupporttheworkoftheCityofSanctuaryandotherprojectshelpingasylumseekerswithinthecity.
ThesenseofcommunityformedbythegroupmemberswithFabriceandmanyotherasylumseekershasbeenahugeandunanticipatedjoyarisingfromthisventure.Friendshipshavebeenmadewithupto50asylumseekersfromAlbaniatoZimbabwe.AppreciatingthedeepvalueoftheselinkstheAsylumSeekerSupportGrouphasenabledathreewayprojectbetweenCityofSanctuary,StNicholasChurchandvariouschurchesintheruralWelshMarshes.OnthedayoftheGreatGetTogetherinJune,acoachfullofexcitedfamiliessetofffromWolverhamptontospendthedayinBishop’sCastle;theirsecondsuchvisit.ReportedintheSouthShropshireJournalitwastitled‘ThePerfectDayAway;Warmwelcomefortown’snewfriends’anddescribedasadaywhere‘theactivities,laughteranddeepconversationsamonghelpersandvisitorsbearsoutwhatJoCoxhassaid,namelythatwehavefarmoreincommonthanthatwhichdividesus’.
WolverhamptonCityofSanctuaryrunsaweeklydropinatBroadStreetChurch,aswellasoccasionalMeetandMingleget-togethers,acelebrationofcommunitythroughmusic,workshopsandart.Itaimstowelcomenewarrivalstothecity,manytraumatisedbytheirexperiences,allfacingtheUKimmigrationsystemwithitseverchangingpoliticsandpolicies.
AparticularconcernfortheCityofSanctuaryisforthosewhoaredestituteandtheyhaveaspecificfundtosupportthem.Thefund,nowrenamedKenny’sFundhasbeenestablishedinmemoryofamuchlovedmemberofStChadandStMark’sinWolverhampton.ThroughtheCityofSanctuary,Kennyhousedanumberofdestituteasylumseekersinhisflatandwasoutshoppingforprovisionsforthemwhenhecollapsedanddiedearlierthisyear.Hisfuneralranwayovertimeduetothenumberofpeoplewhowantedtopaytributetohim,manyofthemasylumseekerswhoweredevastatedbyhisdeath.Inthewordsofapoemabouthim,readathisfuneral‘YouknewwhatitmeanttofollowJesus,theoftenhardandtrickypath’.
Walsall Borough of Sanctuary / St Thomas Church, Aldridge WalsallisthefirstBoroughofSanctuaryinthecountry,alltheothersbeingCitiesofSanctuary.Intheethosofthemovement,itislowonbureaucracyandstrongonnetworking,campaigningandcreatingacultureofwelcome.AsincreasingnumbersofasylumseekersaredispersedtoWalsallandtheBlackCountry,theWalsallBoroughofSanctuary(WBS)isdoingstrategicwork;creatingopportunitiesforpeopletomeet,celebratingthenationalitiesandculturesofthoseseekingsanctuaryandraisingawarenessofthe‘sanctuarymessage’ofwelcomeandinclusionacrossallspheresofsociety.
CorrieHalfordhasbeeninvolvedintheWBSsinceitbegan.OneofthethingsshedoesisvisitahostelinWalsallWoodforwomenandchildrenseekingasylum.ShehasenlistedasmallteamtoteachEnglishclassesthere.Whentheyrealisedthattherewasnothingforthewomentositon,itwasnaturaltoseeifthechurchmighthelpandsheapproachedStThomas’Church,Aldridge.Theyhadsomesparechairsandgavethemwillingly.ThesehavenotonlybeenputtogoodusefortheEnglishgroupsbutareuseddailybythewomenandtheirchildrenasaplacetositandeattogether.Beforethechairscame,everyonetooktheirfoodbacktotheirroomstoeatalone.Communityhasbeencreatedthroughsharedmealtimes,bythatsimpleactofgenerosity.
TheWBSbuildscoalitionsoforganisationsfromallsectors(faithandinterfaithgroups,voluntary,business,educationetc.)TheyareverygladofthesupportofmanyWalsallchurchesfromdifferentdenominations.Theyoftenusechurchpremisestoholdtheirevents,andadvertiseandpromotetheiractivitiesthroughchurchcommunicationnetworks.CorriehelpedtomakethelocalconnectionbetweenStThomas’ChurchandthefamiliesintheWalsallWoodhostel.
ThesefamilieshavebecomespecialtoStThomas’Church.Someofthemarepartofthechurchfamilyandchattingtogetherovercoffeeaftertheservicehasenabledrelationshipstogrow.Bagsofclothingandtoysareregularlypassedontothefamilieswhohavelefttheirowncountrieswithjustwhattheycouldcarry.Manyaretraumatisedbytheirexperiencesandareonajourneybothofhealingandoffaith.Thosewhohavefoundsupportandcomfortatthechurcharereachingouttotheirneighboursinthehostel,invitingthemtocomeandexperiencetheloveofGodforthemselves.
Hope into Action / Holy Trinity Church Heath Town TakinginspirationfromthewordsofIsaiah58‘IsthisnotthekindoffastingIhavechosen:toshareyourfoodwiththehungryandtoprovidethepoorwandererwithshelter’HopeintoActionBlackCountrywantstoseethechurchonceagainattheforefrontofsocialreform,offeringamorecommunitybasedresponsetohomelessness.Christianswithsavingsareencouragedtousethiswealthforthekingdom,sharingitwiththepoorratherthanhavingit‘storedinbarns’(i.e.banks,stocksandshares)byinvestinginahouseandreceivingasmallfinancialreturnasaresult.
MattLambert,thefounderanddirectorofHopeintoActionBlackCountrysince2013,hasavisionforopening50ormorepropertiesoverthenext10years.Hehasapassionthat‘providinghomesforthoseinneedwillbeasnormaltochurchesasinstallingasoundsystem’.Withsevenpropertiesnowupandrunninginpartnershipwithchurches,housing23people,thejourneytowardsthefulfilmentofthisvisionisnowwellunderway.
Onceahousehasbeenpurchasedbyoneormoreinvestors,thetenantsmoveinandthelocalchurchisfreetofocusonwhatitdoesbest-buildingfriendshipsandsupportingthepeoplewholivethere.Thisengagementwiththetenantsinameaningfulwayiskeytothesuccessoftheproject,addressingwhatMattcalls‘relationalpoverty’,therootcauseofmosthomelessness.TheHopeintoActionstaffareonhandtogivetrainingandhelpwitheverystepoftheprocess,aswellascarryingtheongoingresponsibilityforthedaytodaymanagementofthehouses.
AgrowingreasonforhomelessnessisrefusalofasylumclaimsbytheHomeOffice,leavingthoseseekingasylumwithnohomeandnorecoursetopublicfunds.Anotheristhedifficultyfacedbyrefugeeswhohavebeengrantedleavetoremainbutareturnedoutoftheirgovernmentprovidedaccommodationatshortnoticewithoutfinancialsupportandbeforeanywelfarebenefitsareestablished.HopeintoActionisabletoofferaccommodationtosomeofthesetwogroupsofhomelesspeople.
Mubarakisoneoftherefugeetenants.HefledhishomecountryofSudanfollowinghisvillagebeingdestroyedbytheJanjaweed.HefledthroughLibya,spent13daysonaboatintheMediterraneanSeaandthenacrossEuropeintoFrancewherehespentanumberofmonthsinarefugeecamp.Afterbeinggrantedasylumbutwithnowheretogo,Mubarakendedupsofasurfingwithanotherasylumseeker.Whenthisfriendwasalsograntedasylum,theywerebothhomelessandarenowhousedinahomerunbyHopeintoAction,BlackCountry.MubarakhasnowbeenofferedaplaceatUniversitytostudyengineering.
OneofthechurchesthatsupportaHopeintoActionhouseisHolyTrinity,HeathTown.Thevicar,RichardMerrick,saysitwasanaturalresponsetotheissueofhomelessnessintheparishandtothecommandto‘LoveYourNeighbour’.Thewholechurchhelpedinsettingupthehousewithpracticaldonationsoffurnitureandotheritems.Abefriendingteamwasestablishedwhosemembershavemadegoodrelationshipswiththeresidents,someofwhomhavebeenenabledtomoveon,withthespacesinthehousethenbeingoccupiedbynewcomers.
InresponsetothequestionofwhetherHopeintoActionneedsmoresupport,Mattsaysaresounding‘Yes!’….morehouses,morefinanceandaspreadingofthewordabouttheworkoftheprojectandthedifferenceitismakingtopeople’slives.
Greenfields Africa / St Peter’s Stoke on Tern KnittersforGreenfieldsAfrica,acharitybasedinStokeonTern,arelocatedasfarafieldastheRepublicofIreland,FranceandSpainaswellasmanypartsoftheUK.Theyareknittingblankets,jumpers,scarves,hats,teddiesandbabyclothes.Workingwithotherregisteredcharitiestheseitems,togetherwithshoes,foodandchildren’stoysaresentdirectlytorefugeecampsinEuropeandSyria,aswellastoprojectssupportingasylumseekersinLichfieldDiocese.
GreenfieldsAfricawasfounded,andisrunby,membersofStPeter’sChurch,StokeonTern.Churchmembersactastrusteesandarealsoinvolvedincollections,vandriving,packingandadministration.Itisaparticularstrengthforthechurchthatseveraloftheyoungpeopleareenthusiasticvolunteersfortheproject.
InitiallysetuptobuildanAnglicanchurchinGreenfieldsTownship,intheDioceseofGeorge,SouthAfrica,theorganisationhas,overtheyears,expandedintootherpartsofAfricaandnowsupportsanimpoverishedcommunityintherainforestofKakamegainWesternKenyawheretheyhavebuiltandsupportahospital,employing38staff.Theyalsofundoutreachhealthworkandschoolanduniversityeducationforchildrenfromfamilieswithnocashincome.SomemembersofStPeter’shavebeenabletospendtimevisitingorworkingatthehospital,keepingthepersonallinksvibrantandinformed.
Partofthecharity’sworkhadbeenconcentratedoncollectingandshippinggoodstoKenya.WhenChineseinvestmentinKenyaimpactedonthisaspectoftheirworkbytheremovaloftariff-freestatusofcharitablegoods,thisoperationbecamedifficulttosustain.WithwarehousespaceinTelford(givenforfreebyachurchmember)andtheexpertisetomoveverylargequantitiesofgoodstooverseasdestinations,GreenfieldsAfricahadbecomeasignificantforceinthecollection,packaginganddistributionofgoodsforcharitablepurposes.Ratherthanclosedownthisaspectoftheirwork,theydecidedtousetheirfacilities,expertiseandcontactsforthebenefitofrefugeesinthiscountry.Theknitteditemsandothergoodshavebeengreatlywelcomedandtheneedforthemlookslikelytocontinueforalongtimetocome.
TheFounderandDirectorofGreenfields,BrianHattonisfullofwonderatthedevelopmentofthecharity’sworkoverthelast12years.Afterretiringfromteaching,hedidn'tknowwhetherhisworkinglifewasfinishedorGodhadsomethingmoreforhimtodo.KneelingdowninthedebrisofachurchreorderingprojectatStPeter’s,heheardGodtellinghimto‘buildachurchinAfrica’.Hedescribeswhathappenednextasakinto‘climbingintoawashingmachineandturningiton’.Inalltheupsanddowns,witnessingboththeimmensesufferinginAfricaalongwithoverwhelminggenerosity,hisfaithandconfidenceinGodhassoared.Godhas‘raisedhimuptomorethanhecouldbe,'enablingthekingdomworkofGreenfieldstoflourishfirstlyinAfricaandnowintherefugeecampsofSyriaandbeyond.
Refugee and Migrant Centre / St Leonard’s Bilston TheGoodShepherdshop,nexttoStLeonard’sChurchinBilston,isaChristiansocialenterpriseproject.Itfulfilsmanydifferentpurposesforthebenefitofthelocalcommunityandbeyond.Theyacceptsecondhanditemsincludingclothing,furniture,householdandelectricalitemsthatareingoodcondition.Storageismanagedwithlocalwarehousefacilities.
Thelinkwiththechurchisstrong.DaveWills,thevicar,isaregularvisitor,oftentalkingandprayingwiththosewhocomein.EveryoneworkingfortheGoodShepherdSupportLtdisavolunteer.TheshopmanagerisamemberofStLeonard’sandseesherworkasawayofsharingGod’slovewiththosegoingthroughhardtimes.
Thereceivedgoodsarechannelledintwodirections.Theprojecttakesreferralsofasylumseekersandrefugeeswhoaremoving,oftenwithverylittlenotice,intounfurnishedaccommodationandneedhelpwithsettinguphome.ThesereferralscomemainlyfromtheRefugeeandMigrantCentre(RMC)inWolverhampton.Withverylittledelay,theGoodShepherdvanvolunteerscantransportalltheneededhouseholditemstoprovideawelcomingandequippedhome.
Bilstonisanareawithalargenumberofpeoplelivingonlowincomes.Theshopsellsgoodsatreasonableprices,enablinglocalpeopletoaffordthemwithoutgettingintodebt.Theincomegeneratedfromsalesisusedtopaytheoverheadsontheshop,vanandwarehouse.Thebenefitsoftheprojectextendtothosewhovolunteer,givingasenseofpurposeandtheopportunitytoparticipateinaspecialcommunityventure.
TheRMCgreatlyvaluesitslinkswithchurchesandthesupportgivenbytheGoodShepherdshop.Itisalargeorganisationwhichhasbeenofferingmanyservicestoasylumseekers,refugeesandmigrantsfor17years.Throughopendrop-ins,fixedappointmentsandavarietyofclassestheRMCgivesfreeadvice,guidanceandtrainingintheareasofcitizenship,education,employment,familysupport,healthcare,housing,immigration,asylumsupport,welfarebenefitsandtax.Mostoftheservicesaremanagedanddeliveredbypeoplewhoarerefugeesormigrantsthemselves.Theirexperienceshelpthemtoempathisewithserviceusersanditalsomeansthatthemajorityofclientsareadvisedinalanguagetheyfullyunderstand.
ThescaleofoperationattheRMCcanbeappreciatedbythefollowingstatistics:Lastyear4,761individualsand3,985dependentsweresupportedthrough18,294visitstothecentre.27,807enquiriesweremadebypeoplefrom126differentcountriesoforigin.40languageswereofferedby31staff.ThesestatisticsunderlinethevalueoftheworkoftheGoodShepherdvolunteerswhofollowuponthisfrontlinework,withpracticalprovisionsthatdemonstratetheloveofGodinactiontoindividualsandfamilieseachwiththeirownuniquestoryandhopesforthefuture.
The Thomas Project / St Thomas Aldridge Thename‘Thomas’isapopularoneontheLeighswoodEstateinAldridge.TheThomasProject,linkedwithStThomas’ChurchisledbyNickyThomas.Thechurchhadbeenlookingforawayofbeingandsharinggoodnewsontheestateformanyyears,especiallyoncetheonlychurchtherecloseddown.Nicky’srenewaloffaithin2007andprayerofopennessto‘doingwhateverGodaskedofher,'plantedtheseedofthevisionwhichovertimegrewintotheopeningoftheThomasProjectin2013.Itisnowaflourishingaccessiblecommunityhubbasedinashoponabusyhighstreet,nexttothefishandchipshop.
TherearesomanythingsonofferatTheThomasProject;afoodbank,aschooluniformbank,aPlaceofWelcome,ajobclub,ITsessions,counselling,budgetingadvice,aprayertime,GoodNewsforYoucoursesandanannualLoveLeighswoodevent.Thevolunteerscomefromseveralchurchesintheareaandfromthelocalcommunity.
SueQuibell,thecurateatStThomas,seesherpresencethereasasignificantpartofherministry.Sheisreferredtoas‘ourvicar’bythosewhocometotheproject.Sueisquicktoacknowledgethatshehasreceivedsomuchfromtherelationshipsshehasmade;‘ithashadabigimpactonmygrowth,fromhavingbeensomeoneshyandpreferringtobewashingupbehindthescenestoaconfidenceinreachingouttopeopleandwalkingalongsidethem’.
Whenanasylumseekers’hostelforsinglewomenandtheirchildrenwasestablishedintheneighbourhood,thevolunteersweredelightedthatsomeoftheAfricanwomenbegancomingtotheThomasProject.ThefoodbankandthePlaceofWelcomehaveprovidedthemwithresourcesofbothfoodandfriendshipandtheyhaveinturnenrichedthecommunitybytheirpresence.SomeofthefamiliesnowcometoStThomas’ChurchonSundaysandhavebeenwarmlywelcomedintothechurchfamilythere.
Hope Projects / St Chad’s, Pattingham HopeProjectsstartedoutasadestitutionfundin2003withthesupportofClareShort,whowastheMemberofParliamentforLadywoodatthetimeandwasfindinganincreasinglevelofdestitutionamongstasylumseekersinherconstituency.ClareShortremainsatrusteetothisdayandtheDestitutionFundcontinuestobeanimportantaspectofHopeProjects,supportingupto70destituteasylumseekersatanyonetime,witharegularsubsistenceallowance.
ThemorerecentdevelopmentwithintheprojectofHopeHousingprovidesaccommodationin9housestoaround30individualsandcoupleswhohavehadtheirasylumapplicationrefusedongroundswhicharebeingchallengedandwhowiththerightsupporthaveahighprobabilityofthatdecisionbeingoverturned.Thosesupportedbyeithertheallowanceorwithhousingareprovidedwithlegaladviceinordertoidentifyawayforward.Generallythesupportcontinuesforaboutsixmonthsorlongerifthecaseisongoingandremainshopeful.
PartnershipiskeytoHopeProjects.TheyarenetworkedwithanumberofagenciesacrossBirminghamandtheBlackCountry,whobothreferpeopleintotheprojectandthrougharepresentativesteeringgroupmakejointdecisionsonwhomtheyareabletohelp.
PhilDavis(HopeProjectscoordinator)explainsthat‘ifyouthinkaboutMaslow’shierarchyofneeds,it’sverydifficulttoconcentrateonputtingtogetheracoherentcaseforasylumandgatheringalltheevidenceyouneed,whenyouhavenofixedaddressandnowayofknowingwhereyournextmealiscomingfrom’.
Philsaysthatheparticularlyvaluestheproject’slinkswithchurches,astheyareoftenplaceswheredestituteasylumseekersseekhelp.Heappreciatesthatfinancialgivingfromchurchesusuallycomeswithoutextraconditionsattached.Thismeansthatwhentheunexpectedhappens,likearecentboilerbreakdowninoneofthehousescosting£3000,hehassomefundsavailabletocoverit.HeisclearthatseekingrefugeandlivinginexileisattheheartofourChristianstory;‘Youtoo,mustshowlovetoforeigners,foryouyourselveswereonceforeignersinthelandofEgypt’.SohewasverypleasedtobeinvitedrecentlytothemorningserviceatStChad’s,PattinghamtosharewiththemabouttheworkofHopeProjects.
StChad’sisinanaffluentareanorthwestofWolverhampton.ThroughaForRicher,ForPoorerpartnershipwithStAlban’schurchinWednesfieldthechurchhasalreadyshownitscommitmenttomakingrelationshipswellbeyondtheirownboundaries.Amemberofthechurch,HenryIbberson,whointerviewedPhilDavisattheservice,says‘Phil’svisithasawakenedusasachurchtowhat’shappeningnearlyonourdoorstep,justninemilesdowntheroadfromus.Hisstoriesandhiscommitmentconvincedmethatwecandomoretohelp.Theinitialsupportwillbefinancialbutwealsohaveplumbersandothersinourcongregationwithpracticalskills,whomightbeabletooffertheirtimeandtalentstoHopeProjects’.
Henry’spersonaldesiretohelpothersindesperatesituationswassparkedwhentheinterfaithgroupinWolverhamptonscreened‘AStreetCatNamedBob’aboutahomelessLondonstreetmusician.Heknowsthattherearemanylikehiminhiscommunitywithagreatdealofgoodwillandadesiretohelp.HefeelsthatthelinkwithHopeProjectshasanexcitingpotentialtobepartofmissionintheirownparish,awayofreachingouttopeoplelocallyandsharingincommongoals.
Brushstrokes / St Paul’s Church, Stafford Viviane,amemberofStPaul’sChurchinStafford,makesa50milesjourneyatleasttwiceaweektoSmethwick.ShehasbeendoingthisforthepastfewyearsasavolunteeratBrushstrokesCommunityProject.Brushstrokesisapartnershipcommunitysetupin1999bytheParishChurchofStPhilip’sNeri,theSistersoftheInfantJesus,andFatherHudson’sCare.Itprovidesanoutreach,befriendingandadviceservicetoasylumseekersandvulnerablemigrantsinSandwellBorough,whichcurrentlyaccommodatesahighnumberofasylumseekerssecondonlytoBirminghamintheWestMidlands.
Brushstrokesprovidesvaluableservicestoasylum-seekersandrefugeesthroughvariousprograms:
CommunityCafé:Inaperiodof12months,thecaféhasserved873meals,401ofwhichhavebeentoasylumseekersandrefugees.Italsoplaysaveryimportantrolebyprovidingaplaceofwelcomeconsistentwiththeproject’sChristianprinciple‘welcomingthestranger’.Thisopenstheopportunityforthelocalpeopletomeetthosewhoarenewinthecommunitywhichisveryhelpfulinbuildingrelationshipsandencouragingintegration.
Immigrationdrop-in:RunningeveryFridaymorningandofferingimmigrationadvice.
Workclub:offershelpinwritingCVs,jobsearchesandcoverletters.
ESOL(EnglishlanguagelessonsforstudentsofEnglishasaforeignlanguage).SinceSeptember2016,208individualsfrom28nationalitieshavebeenpartofESOLcourse.Threemorecoursesarerunat3satellitesitesinSandwellinadditionaltotheoneatStPhilip’sCentre.148learnersarecurrentlyworkingtowardsanaccreditedqualification.Ofthese34(30%)aremenand114(70%)arewomen.
Obviously,allofthesevitalservicestopeoplewhoareindesperateneedwouldnotbepossiblewithoutthegenerosityofmanywhogivetheirtimeandotherresourcessacrificiallyincludingasignificantsupportfromvariouslocalchurches.VivianeisoneofthemembersofthewonderfulteamofvolunteersandteachesEnglishtoasylumseekersandrefugees.ShehadjustretiredfromherteachingjobandwaswaitingonGodtoshowherwhatnextwhenoneofthefoundersoftheprojectwasinvitedtoStPaul’sChurchinStaffordtogiveatalkaboutBrushstrokes.Afterthetalk,Vivianehadastrongconvictionthatshewasbeingcalledtoworkwithasylum-seekersandrefugeesandasaresulttookacourseinteachingESOL.
AlthoughViviane’sinvolvementismoreofanindividualcommitment,thereisundoubtedlyanactivelinkandcloserelationshipbetweentheprojectandherlocalchurch.Thechurchisverysupportivewithmembersmakingregulardonationstotheproject.Theconcernsandneedsoftheprojectareprayedforatherhomeprayergroupandamazingstoriesoflivestransformedthroughtheservicesofferedbytheprojectaresharedandcelebratedinconversations.Viviane’stestifiesofhowherfaithhasbeendeepened,challengedandenrichedbyengagingwithpeopleofdifferentculturesandfaiths.Shebelievesthatthisexperiencehasmadeherbetterinwelcomingpeopleinherownchurch.
Dave’s(projectmanager)reflectionontheworkoftheirprojectsumsitsimpactonhisfaith,‘itmakesonestopandthinkwhatitmeanstolivethefaithinpractice.Youlearnalotfromthegratefulness,gracefulnessandresilienceofourclients’.Davehasastrongdesiretoreachouttomorechurchesinthecommunitysothattogethertheycanhelpintransformingthelivesofmanywhoaresufferingfromterribleexperiencesinourworldtodayandareseekingsanctuaryinourlocalcommunities.
Hope Community Project / Holy Trinity Heath Town WhenSueAllenmovedwithherfamilyfromSalisburytoHeathTown,Wolverhamptonin1993shehatedit.TheywerestayingforthreeyearswhilstherhusbandcompletedadegreeatWolverhamptonUniversity.Theyhadtwoteenagers,a21montholdanda3monthold.Shecouldn’twaittoreturntoSalisbury.TheystayedandtwentyfouryearslaterSuesaysthatshecouldn'timaginelivinganywhereelse.LivingandworkinginHeathTown‘hasputGodinthecentreofmylifeandshownmehowfaithcanworkinpractice,it’sbeenanamazingjourney’.
TheturningpointonSue’sjourneywaswhentheSistersoftheInfantJesusknockedonherfrontdoor.Theyhadmovedontotheestatein1985tobeaChristianpresencethereandtorespondtotheneedstheyencountered.HopeCommunityProjectwasestablishedandwhilsttheSistershavenowmovedaway,theprojectcontinuestomeetawidevarietyofneeds,frombefriendingtoaccompanyingonhospitalvisits,runningjobclubsandlunchclubstoyouthclubsforteenagersatriskofbeinggroomedordrawnintogangs.Thereissomethinghappeningeverydayandanopennesstoeveryonewhatevertheirsituation.Suehasbeenthemanageroftheprojectsince1999.
OvertheyearsthepopulationofHeathTownhasbecomeincreasinglydiverse.Therearenow41nationalitiesrepresentedthere,includingmanyasylumseekersandrefugees,someofwhomaskforhelpfromHopeCommunityProject.Suelistssomeofthesupporttheyhavegiven;signpostingtootheragencies,Englishpracticeandsewinginthewomen’sgroup,keepingawomansafefromtrafficking,integratingChinesechildrenintothegirls’group,promotingrespectandbuildingrelationships,creatingaPlaceofWelcomeandrunninganInternationalFunDayinthelocalpark.
HolyTrinity,HeathTownseesHopeCommunityProjectaspartandparcelofitsministryintheparish.Whilsttheprojectisanindependentcharity,oneofthetrusteesandmanyofthevolunteersarechurchmemberswholiveinthecommunity.Thechurchbothfundraisesandgivesanannualdonationfromitsmissionarybudget.Whentheproject’spremiseswererecentlyupfordemolition,thecouncilprovidednewfacilities.Attheopening,alltheclergyandmanychurchmembersfrombothHolyTrinityandtheStPatrick’sCatholicChurchweretheretojoininthecelebrations.Sueisclearthatthepartnershipwiththechurchesisfundamentaltothesuccessandsustainabilityoftheproject.
AletterfromNicolasBarré,whofoundedtheSistersoftheInfantJesusintheseventeenthcenturywasquotedattheopeningofthenewcentre.Hesaid‘BealwaysatpeaceandtrustinGod.Whatyouexperiencewillbeinproportiontoyourfaith,yourhopeandyourloveandevenmoreabundantlythanthat‘.SueandthosewhoworkwithheratHopeCommunityProjectcantestifytothetruthofhiswords.
Walsall Refugee & Asylum Seeker Support Association / Local Churches ‘IstartedasavolunteerwithotherChristianssettinguptheflats,cleaning,hangingthecurtainsandotherbasichousekeepingjobsreadyforthearrivalofasylumseekersandrefugees,'saysMargaretGibbons,chairofthetrusteesofWalsallRefugeeandAsylumSeekerSupportAssociation(WRASSA)andamemberofMethodistChurchinPleck.WRASSAisaChristiancharityprovidingpracticalsupportforasylumseekers,refugeesandothermigrantsinneedwhoarestayingorresidentwithintheborough.ItissupportedbyChristianchurchesacrossWalsall.
AccordingtoMargaret,herexperienceofsupportingasylumseekersandrefugeesreignitedhercalltomissionwhichforalongtimehadbeenbubblingawaybeneath.SheresignedherfulltimeteachingjobtakingupsupplyteachingintoordertofreemoretimetowhatwasevidentlyGod’scallinginher.Atthestart,shetookatrainingcourseinimmigrationlawtomaximisehereffectiveness,especiallyinaccompanyingasylum-seekersandrefugeestosolicitors,doctors,lawcourtsandotherpublicservices.
AccordingtoMargaret,thesupportofchurchesacrossWalsallisinvaluable,andcomesindifferentshapes,includingfundraisinganddonationofitemsforbasicdailylifeneeds.AkeyprojectforWRASSArunbylocalchurchesistheAlmsHouse.Thehouseoffersaccommodationfordestituteasylumseekersgoingthroughthelegalprocessofseekingasyluminthiscountry.Duetolackofenoughfinancialresources,therunningofthefacilitiesisincreasinglybecomingchallenging.Howeverthetrusteesarehopefulanddeterminedtodoallthatispossibletokeepthehouserunning.Thereisaspecialappealtolocalchurchestohelpinanywaypossible.
RoseWestwoodisatrusteeofWRASSA,nowworshippingatStAnne’s,Chasetown.Herinvolvementhowevergoesbackto2001asamemberofStPaul’sChurch,TheCrossing,Walsall.Asa‘befriender’shewasinvolvedwithputtingtogethergiftboxesforasylum-seekersastheygotoffthebus.Asatrainedspeechtherapist,herskillsandknowledgewerehelpfultoasylumseekersformanyofwhomspeakingEnglishwasarealchallengeandpotentiallyabarrierinbuildingrelationshipwithlocalcommunities.Insummingtheimpactthishashadinherfaith,Roseremarks;‘Ifeeldrawntothosewhoaredifferentfromme,IbelievewemeetChristinothers,especiallythoseontheedges’.
TheimpactoftheworkofWRASSAistangibleintheMethodistcongregationinPleck.Thecongregationhasmorethaneightnationalities(somewhoareconvertsfromotherfaiths)withhighnumbersofyoungfamilies.Thediversityinmembershiphasenrichedthecongregationthroughintentionalencouragementoftheparticipationofallmembersespeciallyinthemainworshipservice.AccordingtoMargaret,theworkofWRASSAisapowerfulwitnessof‘Christiansinaction’.
Migrant Empowerment Group / Near Neighbours TheMigrantEmpowermentGroup(MEG)wasfoundedbyAlvineDongmo-Noumey.Hervisionandpassiontoempowerothersthroughthisself-helpgroupismotivatedbyherownexperiencesofachallengingjourneyfromtheCameroontomakeherhomeintheUK,firstinCardiffandnowinWolverhampton.HerinspirationasarolemodeltootherwomenandtotheblackminoritycommunityhastakenherallthewaytoDowningStreetwhereinMarch2016shewaspartofagroupofcommunityleaderswhometwithDavidCamerontodiscusssocialissueswithinBritishsociety.
Throughweeklyget-togetherstheMEGprovidesarangeofactivitiesandopportunities.Theseincludelearningnewskillssuchassewingandknitting,Englishclasses,danceandmovementtherapy,computerclasses,healthandwell-beingactivitiesandcareersadvice.ThegroupwelcomesallAsylumseekers,RefugeesandMigrantsregardlessoftheirstatuswhowanttomeetandlearnfromoneanotherandsharetheirexperiencesinasafesetting.Itisdescribedasaplacewhere‘ouraimistohelponeanothertohelpourselves’,anorganisationwhichenablesthemembers‘togainownershipoftheirowndestiny’,buildsself-esteemandenhancesactivecitizenship.
Alongsidetheweeklymeetings,thegroupiscommittedtocampaigningonissueswhichaffecttheirlives.Theyempowerandsupportasylumseekers,refugeesandmigrantsfromWolverhamptontovoicetheirneedsandrepresentthemselvesatstrategicandpolicymakinglevels.
Fundingoftheworkisanongoingchallenge,Alvinesays,andtheyarecurrentlylookingforanewplacetomeetinthecentreofWolverhamptonaftertheircurrentpremiseswascloseddown.SheisappreciativeofgrantsfromtheNearNeighboursprogrammeintheBlackCountry,whichisrunbyTransformingCommunitiesTogether,thediocese’sjointventurewiththeChurchUrbanFund.RuthBurgess,theNearNeighbourscoordinator,says,‘Alvineisaninspiration,fullofresilienceandalwaysseekingwaystoencourageothers.Shevaluesthesupportshereceivesfromthechurchandothers.’
Contact Details
ChurchesTogetherinOswestry.........................................................together.ourchurchweb.org.uk/oswestry
GreenfieldsAfrica................................................................................................................www.gfafrica.com
HopeCommunityProject..................................................................................hopecommunityproject.org.uk
HopeintoAction:BlackCountry.........................................hopeintoaction.org.uk/locations/wolverhampton
HopeProjects........................................................................................................www.hope-projects.org.uk
MigrantEmpowermentGroup...................................................................migrantempowermentgroup.co.uk
NearNeighbours...........................................................................................www.cuf.org.uk/near-neighbours
PlacesofWelcome.................................................................................................www.placesofwelcome.org
RefugeeandMigrantCentre.........................................................................................www.rmcentre.org.uk
Sanctus..................................................................................................................www.sanctusstmarks.co.uk
TheThomasProject...........................................................................................www.thethomasproject.co.uk
TransformingCommunitiesTogether...........................................................................www.tctogether.org.uk
WalsallBoroughofSanctuary.............................................................walsallborough.cityofsanctuary.org
WalsallRefugee&AsylumSeekerSupportAssociation........................www2.cuf.org.uk/organisation/wrassa
WolverhamptonCityofSanctuary...........................................................wolverhampton.cityofsanctuary.org
ChurchofEnglandNationalRefugeeWelcomeCoordinator NadineDanielwww.churchofengland.org/our-views/home-and-community-affairs/asylum-and-immigration
FactsaboutrefugeesRefugeeAction www.refugee-action.org.uk/about/facts-about-refugees
