blackbrightaugust2013 forvulnerables
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This iscontains information about 'invisible slaves', migrants human traffickingTRANSCRIPT
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(THE ULTIMATE RESOURCE fOR AfRICAN-CARIBBEANS, IMMIGRANTS & MIGRANTS)(THE ULTIMATE RESOURCE fOR AfRICAN-CARIBBEANS, IMMIGRANTS & MIGRANTS)
WWhheerree ddoo yyoouu gg oo wwhheenn
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ISSN No. 1751-1909
Blackbright News Magazine
Registered OfficeStudio 57 LU2 0QGTel: 01582 721 605
email: [email protected]
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Founder & Managing EditorMyrna Loy
Logo: Flo AlowajaPhotos taken from Google Images
Graphic Design: M Loy
For previous issues go to:www.issuu.com/blackbrightnews
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What’s Inside...?
- Editorial: What to do whensomeone dies unexpectedly
- Where to go when youneed advice?
- Shell-Shocked Britain
- Excellent Tips by WarrenBuffet
- Perceptions & Experiencesof Counselling by Blacksand Asians
- Supporting Child MigrantsRights
- Housing Pathways ofNew Migrants
- Meatworkers AbusedInquiry
- Did you know...?
MISSION STATEMENT
Black-Bright News recognises that we live in a di-
verse community where our differences can make us
vulnerable, but that regardless of our origin, back-
ground, beliefs, values, culture and experiences, we
all deserve to feel acknowledged, treated fairly and
with respect.
Black-Bright News accepts that within a diverse
community, there are differences that may create mis-
understanding, where people tend to mistrust those
who they do not understand. Individuals who are mis-
understood may feel vulnerable, which could increase
their exposure to abuse.
Black-Bright News aims to redress misunderstand-
ings by minimising the differences and highlighting the
similarities in her quarterly publication, so that individ-
uals in vulnerable states can receive practical informa-
tion and advice; mediation/consultancy services
through Blackbright Community Services, or can
be offered outreach and signposted to someone who
can help.
Black-Bright News is aware that to reduce stress,
confusion and vulnerability, it needs to raise awareness
of issues that affect the newly-arrived, disenfranchised,
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3
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Black-Bright NewsStimulates - Educates - Motivates
(Informing the Vulnerable ,
Disadvantaged and Disenfranchised)
Tel: +44 (0) 1582 721 605
Progress is Partnering with
Black-Bright Community Services (BBCS)
The lack of empathy within the health service seems to
have entered the UK now, especially if anyone is report-
ing to A&E for the first time, but instead of asking about
the validity of insurance cover, they ask for your address;
phone number, age, ethnicity, if you speak any lan-
guages, your blood type, your religion, if you’re a
smoker if you are taking any medication, if you have any
disabilities and this is all while you are rolling in agony.
The inordinate delay increases anxiety and exacerbates
one’s emotional condition.
Why do they need all this information before they treat
a patient? Like any other provider, they need to get paid
for administering services, and if they have not notified
the correct services, they could end up not getting paid.
Of course these technicalities are not evident to a dis-
tressed patient, who might flip a lid if they realised that
the questions had nothing to do with administering
healthcare and that the emotionally unmoved practi-
tioner has been trained to be that way.
EDITORIAL
Gone are the days when you can get someone on the
other end of the phone; and when you do, it is quite
rare to find the person you need to talk to without
getting the runaround first.
There have been many times when I have tried to get
through to service when I have felt desperate only to
get a voicemail or I am transferred from one person
to another. I have sat there so frustrated thinking - do
I have to die before they take me seriously?
When I lived in America, I found service representa-
tives so blase. For instance, I was in a car accident
where my knee was badly damaged. Luckily I was with
my cousin who had comprehensive Blue Cross Blue
Shield Coverage that covered the cost of everything -
but I remember going to the counter, with blood gush-
ing from my knee feeling traumatised as the recep-
tionist asked my cousin so many questions before
looking in my direction.
Is Death the Only Way to
be Taken Seriously?
It is human nature not to plan how to deal with a crisis
before it happens.
Blackbright News, wants to be that helping hand that
prevents you from being passed around from pillar to
post. Isn’t it great to have the information you need in
one place so you know where to find it when you need
it?
Please keep this Special Outreach Edition of Black-
Bright News in a safe place!
The Editor.
WHEN SOMEONE DIES...
We tend to take so much for granted, if someone we
have not been involved in the death of a loved one. So
in brief, this section will tell you what to expect when
someone dies.
First, a doctor must be satisfied about the cause of
death before he/she can certify it and the death can be
registered. If the doctor didn’t see the deceased at
least 28 days before the death occurred, or if he/she
isn’t satisfied about the cause of death, the death must
be reported to the Coroner. The Coroner must also be
informed if the deceased died as the result of an acci-
dent, or in violent or unexplained circumstances. The
role of the Coroner is to investigate sudden and unex-
plained deaths so that the death can be certified and
then registered. If death is unexplained or suspicious,
then an autopsy is done. This can cause stressed to the
bereaved family as they cannot bring closure until they
are able to bury the body.
Once the death is reported to the Coroner, if there are
no complications, the body is identified and released;
the death is registered, the inquest takes place and
then the funeral arrangements.
EMOTIONAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS
When someone dies it is a terrible loss and shock to
their families, friends, and community. Families and
communities who experience such losses often expe-
rience old feelings of hurt and pain as well as deep em-
pathy for those who are most impacted by the deaths.
Often parents are uncertain how to help their teens
and children reach out to those who are directly af-
fected, or how to help their teens and children manage
their own reactions.
How to help a friend or loved one who has experi-
enced a loss
In order for you and your family to support a friend or
loved one during this difficult time, it is important to
know that people respond very differently to traumatic
events and losses. Some may be very upset, cry, yell,
or shake. Others may seem calm and composed or
even numb, cold and detached. Some may want to talk
about the event while others may wish to remain
quiet. Some may want physical contact while others
may not want to be touched. Typical reactions to sud-
den death include any number of emotions including
feelings of fear, anger, guilt, sadness, and confusion.
Some individuals who have endured traumatic situa-
tions, despite how they are feeling, may believe it is
necessary to assure others that they are fine. They may
not want to “bother” others with their problems or
may want to get “back to normal.” It is common for
people to experience mood swings during this time,
and survivors may misdirect anger towards others or
towards themselves. Some survivors may feel overly
dependent upon or become overprotective of others.
Each individual will experience unique reactions and
may alternate among these reactions.
Communicate: Send a message of concern by phone,
mail, or email. Do something that does not necessarily
require a response from the person, as he or she may
already feel overwhelmed by the immediacy of the
event and the tasks they are confronting in the initial
days and weeks following a loss or traumatic event. It
may be tempting to compare their situation to one you
have experienced but it is better to simply listen to
what the person feels and wants as people may have
different reactions from you and may even feel differ-
ently from day to day.
5
NEED SOMEONE TO PLAY
AT A WAKE OR A FUNERAL?
Lady Loy(THE DJ FOR ALL OCCASIONS)
44+ (0) 7957 540 899
Engage in open communication. It is important that you
address your adolescent’s or child’s concerns and invite
questions. Listen to what your children have to say and
invite questions. If you have difficulty answering ques-
tions, it is okay to say that you do not know the answer.
Keep in mind that conversations about the event and re-
lated feelings may be ongoing among your teen or child’s
peer group. It is also important for you to anticipate that
your adolescent or child may not want to talk about the
event with you. The key is for you to create an environ-
ment in which your children feel supported and listened
to, and in which you communicate to your children that
you are available to talk at any time.
Expect emotions. Expect that your children will be expe-
riencing a number of emotions and that feelings will fluc-
tuate from day to day. Even if your child or teen is doing
well, it is possible that feelings and behaviours related to
the event may become apparent in the weeks to follow.
Alternatively, your children may not show any signs of
distress or worry related to the events. Pay attention to
your children’s emotions and behaviors, and talk with
them about any concerns you have about their reactions.
Validate emotions. A great variety of feeling is expected
as a result of a sudden loss. Show your children that you
understand how they are feeling and that they are being
heard. For example, you can say “I know how confused
you are about all this. I feel the same way” or “I can see
that you are very sad.”
Be honest and open. Your child or adolescent may be
more likely to open up about their feelings when you
take the lead and discuss your own thoughts and feelings
about the event. Sharing your own feelings may help to
normalize the experiences and reactions of your chil-
dren.
Seek professional guidance. If you see significant
changes in your children’s behaviours and emotions
that persist or are impacting their functioning, seek
professional help. As parents, you may also need to
seek professional advice to work through your feel-
ings and thoughts about the event or about how the
event has affected your family.
Source:http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/death/when_so
meone_dies_unexpectedly.html
6
Support: Often, friends and family feel a need to “prob-
lem solve” or offer advice. This is often not necessary.
For those who are close to a grieving person, physical
presence and support are usually more valuable. Sugges-
tions as to what a grieving person should have done or
should do now are usually not helpful.
Education: Educate yourself about trauma and the heal-
ing process. Learn about common reactions to traumatic
experiences and about resources by attending seminars,
searching the internet, reading books, or talking to a
counsellor.
Listen: Listen and allow the survivor to talk about the
traumatic experience at his or her own pace. Friends can
let the survivor know that they are there to listen and
give support when the survivor is ready.
Do not focus solely on the trauma: Take a break from
talking about it. Follow the survivor’s lead on when to
talk about it and when to take a break. Allow time for
mutual relaxation and engaging in ordinary tasks and ac-
tivities.
Return Control: By respecting the survivor’s wishes and
allowing them to make decisions, friends can help return
control to them.
COPING WITH YOUR FAMILY WHEN YOUR CHILD DIES
Do not make assumptions. Each individual has different
reactions and responses to a traumatic event. It is im-
portant that you do not make assumptions about your
children’s thoughts and feelings. It is recommended that
you speak to your adolescent or child directly and ask
them about their thoughts and feelings.
NEED ADVICE? WHERE TO GO...
Being bullied OR know someone who is?Luton Youth Service : 01582 548340
(10 yr olds – 19 yr olds)
Child Helpline: 0800 1111Learn Karate (Michelle Austin: 07989 967184)
Problems with Children in School?Every child has the right to an education which develops their
personality, talents and abilities to the full. Schools have a right
to set rules in relation to conduct both inside and outside the
school.
http://www.yourrights.org.uk/yourrights/the-rights-of-chil-
dren-and-young-people/education/school-discipline.html
Counselling Services (Your GP may refer)BBCS Counselling & Advisory Svs: 07957 540 899Cruse Bereavement Care (for Bereaved Adults)
Luton: 01582 595 300
Relate: 01234 356 350
Counselling for those experiencing the impact of change,
loss and bereavement
Talking Therapies: 01582 456 677
Crisis Response Team: 01582 548 800 (preventing hos-
pital admission)
Death of a Loved One Bedford Bereavement Services: 01234 353 701
(monthly group meetings at Norse Road Crematorium)
Contact: Cathy Appleby
Bedford Hospital: 01234 355 122 x 4621
CHUMS – Child Bereavement, Trauma & Wellbeing Serv-
ice: 01525 863 924 (Offering support to children, young
people, their parents and carers)
The Compassionate Friend: 0845 123 2304 or 01767
689 781(Supporting Bereaved Parents)
Luton & Dunstable Hospital: 01582 491 166
(There is a Macmillan Unit for Cancer Patients) also
They provide information and support for those affected
by post-mortem procedures)
(ask for Margaret Malcolm or Barbara in Bereavement
Support)
Keech Hospice Care: 01582 492 339 ask for Jeff Lew-
cock or Steve Andrews
Road Victims Trust: 01234 843 345
A support service for anyone bereaved by a road collision
Samaritans UK: 08457 909090
Emotional Distress, Despair, Feeling Suicidal
Tel: 01234 211 211 (Bedford)
Tel: 01582 720 666 (Luton)
Sands: 07900 106 543 (if a baby has died through mis-
carriage, still birth or neonatal death, i.e. a baby who is
less than 28 days old)
Sue Ryder Bereavement Service: 01767 642 429
(supporting families and friends following a death at St
John’s Hospice following terminal illness)
Victim Support: 01582 723 779 (Luton) 01234
844 281 (Bedford) Offers support to those be-
reaved by homicide (murder) or who have been af-
fected by crime
DebtCitizens Advice Bureau : 0844 245 1285
Luton Rights: 01582 453 372
Domestic Violencewww.luton.gov.uk/safefguardingadults
Luton Police Station 01582 401 212
Women’s Aid: 01582 547124
Office of Public Guardian 0845 330 2900
Stepping Stones: 01582 457 114
Get Connected: 0808 808 4994
Concerns about a vulnerable adult: 01582 547
659 (9-5) or 08702 385 465 other times.
DrugsStepping Stones : 01582 457 114
Luton Drug and Alcohol Partnership (LDAP)
Tel: 01582 709231
Luton alcohol Addiction Treatment: 0800
0322 880 (From outside the UK, call +44
1721 722 763
FIRE/POLICE/AMBULANCEE
EMERGENCY ONLY: 999 OR 112Call 111: if not serious enough for 999
Luton Police: 01582 401 212
Witnessed a Violent Crime: 101
Housing IssuesLuton Housing Advice: 01582 546 000
Luton Rights: 01582 453372.
Luton’s All Women’s Centre: 01582 416 783
Homeless? “Shelter” Call Free: 0808 800 4444
Eviction: Luton Law Centre: 01582 481 000
Legal IssuesEligible for legal aid? Tel: 0845 345 4345
https://www.gov.uk/civil-legal-advice
Luton Law Centre: 01582 481 000
www.lawjustanswer.co.uk
Welfare Benefits
Luton Law Centre: 01582 481000,
Luton Rights: 01582 453372
Work Related Problems? Call Luton Rights or
Citizens Advice Bureau: 0844 245 1285
to spark a truly overwhelming down-turn in the econ-
omy is not clear, though one thing is blatantly clear to
the point of it being palpable and that is the effect it is
having on our young adults. So this is a two-tier analysis.
On the one hand we are told constantly that our young
people are the future and so it is necessary to nurture
their academic, employment and career growth with the
25-50 something’s contributing in their stabilising of the
economy though what we are really seeing is a clear ero-
sion of this enduring ethos.
A recent Guardian article chimed in over the state of our
youth’s future by saying that ‘Two thirds of young peo-
ple believe the economic downturn will cast a shadow
over their job prospects for years to come. A survey of
nearly 6000 13-25year olds revealed that while 85% of
under 17s polled were confident that their education
had prepared them well for employment, the figure
fell to only 53% among the over 17’s, findings in a poll
for the education charity. Edge, will add to fears that the
young are bearing the brunt of the UK’s economic diffi-
culties, with recent figures showing that 40% of those
out of work by the end of the year are expected to be
under the age of 25, while a million 18-to-24 year-olds
are currently not in education, employment or train-
ing.’
It would appear to be a post-apocalyptic testament to
the failings of a society pre-occupied with dragging itself
away from a self-imposed debt foisted upon it by the
powers that be. But then that would be clearly letting
the powers- that- be off the hook with an unhealthy
caveat emptor; if you will, implemented by stealth, like
a leaked dossier on the condition of our state-run -
schools. I feel it goes deeper than this initial offering and
to this mix I add my second tier as now there is a new
outcry sitting uncomfortably alongside a forgotten dis-
affected youth and the globalisation of these protracted
thoughts. That of the traditional stabilisers of the econ-
omy the 25-50 something’s being put out ‘to grass’ pre-
maturely by a government more focused on the EU’s8
Artist is Raymond Watson, Ireland
Recently Mervin King; Governor of the Bank of England
stated “economic recovery is fragile” suggesting that a
‘double-dip recession in an already economically shell-
shocked Britain rocking back on its heels, may not be far
off. Fortunately, I am old enough to remember a time
when inflation and the cost of living effectually balanced
each other out; where dietary essentials did not warrant
a place in the ‘exorbitant because of costly genetically
modified additions via over-zealous farmers’ and target-
driven supermarkets looking to make an even bigger
profit out of the common man.
Remember a time when a disaffected youth, still very
much influential because of their angst ridden vocalisa-
tions, free-thinking state and sheer belief by concerted
belief in an alternative socio-economic infrastructure,
shaped economically the Britain we see today.
The 60’s, 70’s and 80’s saw the golden years of growth
take hold and mould a different type of financial mind-
set. One where a unified strive towards financial ho-
mogeny across sex, class and race was a true melting pot
for people to create entrepreneurial heaven and claim a
piece of the pie. What exactly has happened since then
9
daily machinations to create a state detrimental to nur-
turing of the free voice in favor of eliminating institu-
tions and organisations specifically formed to aid the
mature back into full-time education and real work, not
government aided schemes designed to create a false
picture of the realities of our collected situation eco-
nomically.
When we see a completely new drive in favour of aiding
the 25-50 something’s in their quest to not only remain
valuable members of society enabling them to support,
nurture and guide our young to a more satisfying place
educationally, economically and career-wise we will
come to see a healthy reflection of what our society is
really all about. Our economy needs the young to pros-
perat the highest level, it needs realistic, holistic guides,
though most importantly it needs the government to
value it more and build a new socio-economic infrastruc-
ture to support its young’s ambitions, no matter what
they be.
© Syandene.
Perceptions and Experiences ofCounselling Services among
Blacks & Asians
Despite increasing recognition of thevalue of counselling in supporting mentalwell-being, and the rapid expansion ofsuch services, uptake by black people re-mains low. This study, carried out by theScottish Ethnic Minorities Research Unitin Edinburgh College of Art/Heriot WattUniversity, evaluated the accessibilityand appropriateness of counselling pro-vision in the voluntary sector based onthe accounts of Asian people.
Awareness of counselling among people whohad not used the service was low, although allwere experiencing stress, anxiety and depres-sion. When informed about the nature of theservice, many felt it would be useful since in-formal support available to them was limitedor constrained by other issues.
Most people who had used a counselling serv-ice had done so after major life events such asbereavement, marital breakdown and redun-dancy. Most found that counselling had a verypositive impact: it provided time and a safespace to explore their circumstances and feel-ings, to build self-esteem and develop copingstrategies.
Both clients and non-clients of counselling ex-pected counsellors to enable them to workthrough their feelings and problems, and totreat them with respect, as equals. Their mainpreferences were to be consulted on thechoice of counsellor and language used. Thegender, age and ethnicity of the counsellorwere important considerations for most peo-ple, but not always in ways that conformed to
professional assumptions.Generally, agencies’ ability to provide clients withchoice was limited. The tendency of most main-stream agencies to provide counselling only inEnglish was worrying, given the very limitednumber of black-led agencies providing coun-selling.
Black-led agencies stressed the importance ofpossessing a deep understanding of the racial andcultural background of their clients. In contrast,most mainstream agencies tended to trust thatissues about race or religion would emerge incounselling sessions and that counsellors wouldlearn the significance of these issues from theirclients.
Few mainstream agencies involved in this studyhad specifically targeted black communities inpublicising their services. Some were wary of cre-ating demand they could not meet due to lack ofcapacity, or lack of confidence in dealing withblack clients.Joseph
Improving counselling services for blackpeople
The following strategies by counselling providers– and those who fund them – would increase theaccessibility and appropriateness of counsellingfor black people. The full report also sets out clearrecommendations, questions and suggestionsaimed at service providers, potential referrers(e.g. GPs, social workers), community leaders,training bodies and funders on how to improveaccess and appropriateness. Increasing accessto counselling: increasing the number of externalreferrals by liaising with agencies or professionalswhose work brings them into contact with blackpeople; encouraging a greater number of self-re-ferrals through developing a targeted outreachand publicity strategy; providing more flexibleservices e.g. drop-in services, surgeries in black-led agencies. Increasing appropriateness ofcounselling: increasing the number of trainedcounsellors from diverse communities by provid-ing financial support for training; increasing cul-
tural sensitivity of existing counsellors throughadequate training and by involving black counsel-lors or professionals with relevant experience;collaborating with and learning from agencieswith relevant expertise. Reviewing service pro-vision: carrying out ethnic monitoring; maintain-ing contact with black clients who have completedcounselling to examine the long term impact ofthe service; organising focus group discussionswith black clients to obtain feedback.
Black communities too have a role in promotingawareness and acceptability of counselling serv-ices by examining their own attitudes to mentalhealth and encouraging people from their com-munities to seek appropriate support with psy-chological difficulties and distress.
Blackbright-Community Services Limitedprovides indigenous Counselling & Advisory Serv-ices for African-Caribbean’s experiencing distressand confusion. Tel: 01582 721 605
About the study
Exploratory focus group discussions were organised at the be-
ginning and end of the fieldwork with users of two black or-
ganisations which provide counselling. In-depth interviews
were conducted with 38 Asian people, who were identified
through liaising with black-led organisations. Nineteen of the
participants had identified themselves as experiencing anxiety,
depression or stress while the rest had been for counselling.
Ten counselling providers in the voluntary sector in Glasgow,
Leeds, Bristol and London were identified, including those in-
tended to serve the whole population (mainstream) and those
which catered specifically for the needs of one or more minor-
ity ethnic groups (black-led). Additionally, the policy and prac-
tices of three umbrella organisations with strategic
responsibility for the planning and provision of services were
also examined.
The cooperation of Saheliya in Edinburgh and EACH (Ethnic
Alcohol Counselling in Hounslow) in London was extremely
valuable in ensuring that users were involved at key stages of
the research.
Published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation is an independ-
ent, non-political body which has supported this project as
part of its programme of research and innovative development
projects, which it hopes will be of value to policy-makers,
practitioners and service users. The findings presented here,
however, are those of the authors and not necessarily those of
the Foundation.(March 2001)
The full report, A suitable space: Improving counselling
services for Asian people by Gina Netto, Sabine Gaag and
Mridu Thanki with Liz Bondi and Moira Munro, is published
for the Foundation by The Policy Press (ISBN 1 86134 317 5,
price £10.95).
FURTHER INFORMATION FROM THE ROWNTREE
FOUNDATION.10
OUTSOURCING ABUSE?
Supporting child migrants rightsDianne Abbott (Extracted)
There have been a number of shocking reports concerning the sit-
uation of child migrants living in this country. I see a lot of chil-
dren and young people who come to my advice surgery, on their
own or with their parents, and who are in desperate need of help.
These children are often confused about their rights, and some
have been mistreated by the Home Office or other authorities in
this country. It seems that often it is forgotten that these are chil-
dren first, and immigrants second.
I tabled two Early Day Motions illustrating different ways in
which the rights of child migrants are violated in the UK. In May
2009.. Then in June I tabled a motion regarding the age determi-
nation process that unaccompanied child migrants must go
through when applying for residency. There have been many re-
ports suggesting that this process is carried out in an insensitive
and inaccurate and leads to many under-18s being treated as
adults when they really need someone to look after them.
In February 2010 I continued the campaign against child deten-
tion by participating in a debate on the Yarl’s Wood detention fa-
cility where I condemned the treatment of all migrants there,
particularly the children. Healthcare was an issue I drew particu-
lar attention to, as it is well documented that detainees especially
female detainees, have very little confidence in the standard of
healthcare on offer. Prior to this debate I had tabled an early day
motion highlighting the harmful psychological effects of child
detention and also highlighting the excessive length of time some
child detainees have been held for.
I am now keen to extend my work on child migrants in the UK
by continuing to raise awareness of this important issue and by
pressing Ministers to change their approach to children and im-
migration.
I am disappointed that the Coalition government has decided to
postpone its decision to close family wings in detention centres
until at least March 2011. I believe we need to end detention
sooner rather than later.
http://www.dianeabbott.org.uk/campaigns/child-migrants.aspx
THE HOUSING PATHWAySOF NEW IMMIGRANTSDavid Robinson, Kesia Reeve and Rionach Casey
This research explores the arrival experiences and settle-
ment stories of new immigrants. It focuses on the housing
experiences of new immigrants and considers the conse-
quences of their arrival for local housing markets and neigh-
bourhoods.
Key points
The arrival experiences of new immigrants were largely de-
termined by their immigration status, associated legal rights
and related opportunities. This led to clear distinctions in the
housing situations of different groups. For example, asylum
seekers were initially reliant on the National Asylum Support
Service for accommodation and subsequently moved into so-
cial housing, once granted leave to remain. In contrast, the
restricted rights of migrant workers to welfare benefits meant
they were reliant on the private rented sector for a place to
live
New immigrants tended to fill voids in the housing stock left
behind or avoided by other households. The result was the
concentration of new immigrants in particular sectors of the
local housing market and in specific neighbourhoods.
Most new immigrants moved into temporary accommodation
upon first arriving in the UK. Poor living conditions, lack of pri-
vacy and concerns about safety and security were often as-
sociated with temporary accommodation and were
sometimes endured for many months.
Some new immigrants reported problems of insecurity and
poor living conditions in more permanent, long-term accom-
modation. Basic material needs were often not satisfied and
security of tenure proved to be an illusion, with people strug-
gling to maintain, and in some cases losing, their place in the
housing system and becoming homeless. The new immi-
grants did not live in isolated ethnic clusters and their resi-
dential settlement patterns were rarely the outcome of
self-segregating tendencies. They quickly developed an af-
filiation with the place where they lived, which resulted in
many wanting to stay in the neighbourhood where they first
settled.
Where new immigrants live was found to be an important de-
terminant of settlement experiences. Problems, including ha-
rassment and abuse, were found to be more extreme in
neighbourhoods with little previous history of accommodating
diversity and difference.
Over time, some new immigrants were able to exercise
greater choice about where they lived, as they secured new
rights and resources. However, exercising housing choice
was often dependent upon the support and assistance of
friends, relatives and community-led services. November
2007
Background
For all the heated debate about the impacts and conse-
quences of new immigration in the UK, surprisingly little is
known about the realities of life for new immigrants. This has
not stopped media speculation about the motives of new im-
migrants, the priorities of statutory agencies and service
providers and the consequences for long-standing residents.
Much of this increasingly divisive debate has focused on the
issue of housing and questions about who gets what and
why, and the knock-on effects for local neighbourhoods, in
terms of population change, community relations and sus-
tainability.
This study ventures beyond speculation to explore the early
settlement stories of new immigrants, with a particular focus
on their housing experiences during the first five years of set-
tlement in the UK and the consequences for local housing
markets and neighbourhoods.
Attention centres on the sequence of dwellings that new im-
migrants occupy during the first five years of settlement, and
their experiences while living in these different situations.
Fieldwork involved in-depth, qualitative interviewing with four
groups of new immigrants in the city of Sheffield – Liberian,
Pakistani, Polish and Somali – with different identities (eth-
nicity, religion, nationality and race) and distinct histories of
settlement in the city, who have arrived into the UK via differ-
ent routes and with different packages of associated legal
rights.
Experiences on arrival
The housing problems that the new immigrants encountered
in temporary accommodation – lack of privacy, freedom and
control, poor living conditions, insecurity, safety concerns –
reflect dominant themes in the extensive literature on expe-
riences of homelessness in the UK. The problems they en-
countered in more secure, long-term accommodation –
restricted choice in the social rented sector, the corrosive ef-
fect of racial harassment, problems of insecurity and home-
lessness, poor conditions in houses in multiple occupation
(HMO), and overcrowding in the owner-occupied sector – re-
flect familiar themes in the extensive evidence base regard-
ing minority ethnic housing experiences in the UK.
The housing circumstances and experiences of the new im-
migrants interviewed might be familiar, but their opportunity
to effect a change was found to be distinct and different from12
a temporary situation, but a longer term commitment. At this
point, they often became dissatisfied with the accommoda-
tion provided by the private rented sector and, in particular,
by shared accommodation, and they developed preferences
for particular neighbourhoods, which began to inform their
residential choices. In contrast, some refugees appeared to
be keen on a period of stability, having finally achieved a po-
sition of relative security. Their long-term housing objectives
were skewed in favour of satisfying immediate priorities in-
cluding education, employment and family reunion, although
harassment had forced some refugee households to look to
move.
The importance of place
The new immigrants had little choice of what housing and
which neighbourhoods they lived in during the early years of
settlement. Their residential situations were dominated by
constraining factors and often bore little relation to the settle-
ment patterns of long-standing residents – for instance, new
Somali immigrants were allocated accommodation on es-
tates on the southern periphery of Sheffield, well away from
the established Somali population. Where new immigrants
were living in clusters this tended to be the consequence of
the common constraints they had encountered in the local
housing market, reinforced by the problems of abuse and ha-
rassment that many new immigrants had encountered living
beyond established areas of minority ethnic settlement.
New immigrants quickly developed an affiliation for the neigh-
bourhood where they first settled upon arrival in the city, and
this served to tie them to these areas. Some Liberian respon-
dents, for example, remained committed to their local neigh-
bourhood despite problems with racial harassment. Having
made an investment in the neighbourhood – becoming famil-
iar with the local environment, services and facilities and de-
veloped friendships and associations – they were loathed to
‘start again’ somewhere new..
About the project
The project team worked in partnership with six community
researchers to complete in-depth interviews with 39 new im-
migrants living in Sheffield during 2006 and 2007. Interviews
were conducted with 10 Liberian, 10 Pakistani, 10 Polish and
9 Somali new immigrants.
The research was qualitative in its approach and design, in-
volving a combination of semi-structured one-to-one inter-
views and ‘futures’ workshops with executive and
non-executive councillors, council officers and individuals
from community organisations. In total, 65 people partici-
pated in the research.
other disadvantaged groups. The system of constraints within
which the new immigrants made choices about their housing
was complex and tightly bound, and their scope to act to im-
prove their situation was severely limited. In addition to re-
stricted legal rights and limited resources, the new immigrants
had arrived in the UK with little understanding of the subtleties
of the housing system and were still getting to grips with issues
such as how to access different tenures. They were also rarely
skilled players of the welfare system.
Engaging with the housing system
The immigration status and associated rights of new immi-
grants served to root their early housing careers within partic-
ular sectors of the housing system. The migrant workers
interviewed were relying on the private rented sector, refugees
had entered social housing and new immigrants arriving in the
UK on a spouse visa had moved into the housing situation oc-
cupied by their spouse (typically owner-occupation).
The settlement patterns of respondents tended to reflect the
housing actions and residential mobility of others, with the new
immigrants filling voids in the housing stock left behind or
avoided by other households. Which particular gap they filled
within the local housing market depended upon the particular
rights and opportunities at their disposal and the constraints
within which choices were made. These included financial con-
straints in the private sector and the rules governing the allo-
cation of housing in the social rented sector.
Refugees have a right of access to social housing, but have
little opportunity to exercise choice in the allocation process.
They were typically in immediate and desperate need of ac-
commodation and therefore unable to wait for a tenancy in a
preferred location. As a result they tended to move into the
most readily available and easily accessible accommodation.
In Sheffield this was low-demand or difficult to let housing in
unpopular neighbourhoods. Clusters of new immigrants are
therefore living on traditional white British working-class es-
tates on the periphery of the city, which have little or no history
of accommodating difference or living with difference (new con-
tact zones of immigration).
In the early stages of settlement, migrant workers have no right
of access to social housing. The migrant workers interviewed
had therefore been drawn to neighbourhoods with a relatively
large private rented sector.
Through time, as new rights were secured and resources ac-
cumulated, the new immigrants became more active within the
housing system. A frequent motivation for migrant workers to
move was the realisation that residence in the UK might not be13
Meat workers abused, Inquiry Agency and migrant workers employed by meat and poultry
firms suffer “mistreatment and exploitation”, an official inquiry
has revealed
.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said it un-
covered “widespread evidence” of physical and verbal abuse
and lack of proper health and safety protection, while workers
often have little knowledge of their rights.
Migrant workers are most affected, but British agency employ-
ees face similar mistreatment, with many people afraid to raise
concerns because they fear they will be sacked.
The commission said its inquiry, launched in 2008, uncovered
frequent breaches of the law and licensing standards in meat
processing factories, some of which supplied the UK’s biggest
supermarkets, as well as at employment agencies. The com-
mission made a series of recommendations aimed at improving
recruitment practices and working conditions, as well as helping
employees raise concerns.
A third of permanent workers and two-thirds of agency workers
in the industry are migrants, while at one in six meat processing
sites involved in the study every agency worker hired in the past
year was a migrant worker. The commission said this was partly
due to difficulties in recruiting British workers for physically-de-
manding, low-paid work.
More than eight out of 10 of 260 workers who gave evidence to
the commission said agency workers were treated worse than
directly-employed staff.
One in five workers said they had been pushed, kicked or had
things thrown at them by line managers and a third revealed
they had experienced or witnessed verbal abuse, often on a
daily basis. Workers also claimed they had been refused per-
mission to go to the toilet, and one in four told the commission
that pregnant workers had been mistreated, including the instant
dismissal of agency workers who announced they were having
a baby.
The commission said it also found examples of firms which
treated all workers with respect and dignity.
Neil Kinghan, director general of the EHRC, said: “The commis-
sion’s inquiry reveals widespread and significant ill-treatment in
the industry. We have heard stories of workers subjected to bul-
lying, violence and being humiliated and degraded by being de-
nied toilet breaks. Some workers feel they have little choice but
to put up with these conditions out of economic necessity. Oth-
ers lack the language skills to understand and assert their
rights.”
The Association of Labour Providers said: “The recommenda-
tions merit careful study by government, regulators, supermar-
kets, labour providers and labour users. Some of the
recommendations, such as paying workers for travelling time
and engaging workers on contracts of employment rather than
contracts for services, are not possible unless there is a com-
mitment from retailers and labour users to meet such costs, and
past experience suggests that this is unlikely.”
Source: Luton on Sunday
http://www.luton-dunstable.co.uk/Home/Meat-workers-
abused-inquiry-finds-0-16981.xnf
14
DID YOU KNOW:The government has confirmed today that
the Public Lending Right body will cease to
exist as a separate organisation and respon-
sibility for managing the PLR Scheme is to
be transferred to the British Library. The
changes are expected to take effect from 1
October 2013.
PLR staff will transfer over to the British Li-
brary but PLR will continue to be adminis-
tered by the existing team from their offices
in Stockton-on-Tees. Authors should con-
tinue to register their books for UK and Irish
PLR in the usual way.
More information on the government’s deci-
sion to transfer responsibility for PLR to the
British Library can be found on our website.
The PLR team would like to thank authors
for their continued support over the last two
years as we awaited a decision from the
government on the future of the PLR office.
Jim Parker
Registrar
15
Beware:intellectual property thieves
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Remember, carlessness costs livelihoods. The inven-
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