Nice words about RAP
So, what did they learn?
‘That it is very scary being a refugee because they had to flee from their home and to move because of war’
Cotham School, Bristol
‘That I need to talk to my dad who needs to stop believing everything he reads in the papers’
University West of England Careers Advisors Faculty QCG students
‘Realising that not all asylum seekers are poor, coming for benefits.’
Lincolnshire Police
‘Sadam husian is a bad bad man. And sir [refugee volunteer] has a hard nock life’ [sic]
Halewood College, year 7
Thumbs up for refugee speakers
‘What I liked best was Ikraam’s speaking from the heart.’
Avon Sexual Abuse Centre
‘What I liked best was how a real life person like Gemma can put over a meaningful story of living the problem rather than just a made up scenario.’
National Museums Liverpool
‘After the talk by Elias I was able to understand how genuine these people are and that if there wasn’t a problem in their own country, they wouldn’t be here.’
Lighthouse Project, Liverpool
‘What I liked best was being given examples and talking to someone who had real experience of the issues discussed – it helped to put a face/name and personality to statistics.’
Orrell Park Community Centre, Liverpool
Mind-changing
‘Now I have raised awareness and the ability to challenge ignorance that comes from people not knowing the facts – like most people, I also had misconceptions.’
OCN Supported Housing students, Bristol
‘The only info about refugees I had before was from the media. I now know actual facts.’
Liverpool John Moores University
‘Really interesting (even on a Saturday morning!). It’s nice to have information. I previously thought that the media stereotypes were inaccurate but had little information to counter them with.’
Toxteth Annexe Teachers Group, Liverpool
When workshopping works…
‘I liked the fact it was interactive - e.g. quizzes make us think.’
Bristol school representatives
‘The talk was absolutely fantastic - one of the best talks we’ve ever had at the centre. People often listen carefully but are quite passive, but what was interesting about this talk was how they got people involved.’
Trinity Care Service
‘I liked the group exercises (not too much powerpoint, Yay!).’
Lincolnshire Police
Big reviews for a little book
‘The straight forward style and language used in this booklet reflected some of the comments made by young people about asylum seekers in their town and because of this, they really began to engage with the issues. The guide was invaluable in my opinion because it portrayed real human stories which they identified with.
‘For me, a booklet like Mobiles, Money and Mayhem that uses warmth, compassion and a sense of humour to allay fears amongst the population of a town without alienating them or making them feel like they are evil and wicked to have those fears is heartening. Your booklets are brilliant. There should be more.’
Tracey Johnson, Youth Participation Worker, Community Partnerships, Hastings Borough Council
‘We all thought the booklets were excellent, very straightforward and informative and easy to read. I have a neighbour who accuses me of “always sticking up for refugees and asylum seekers”. Your booklet was ideal and she did seem to accept what was said in it and realised that many of the comments could have been hers!’
Liz, member of peace and justice group
‘Your booklets have become a very important part of my lesson about asylum seekers and immigration. They are well received by the kids (years 10 and 11) and they challenge most of their prejudices. Overall it is a great, up-to-date teaching resource.’
Oliver Heyen, teacher, Medway School
Powerful theatre
Here are some of the many responses to the powerful performances of Asylum Monologues in London, Liverpool, Bristol and Nottingham.
‘I feel angry that I wasn't aware of the dire and inhumane treatment asylum seekers endure. I am saddened by each person's story and experience. More events like this please - education is key.’
‘I was shocked and I did not think I could be shocked about this issue. This has inspired me to become more involved on a voluntary basis, perhaps campaigning or visiting asylum seekers in detention and also to harass my MP.’
The offical big-up
We love getting every last piece of feedback that comes our way. But there is something extra-special about being recognised publicly in the big outside world as it lets us and everyone else know that we’re doing a lot of stuff right.
This year, the work of the volunteers and their influential role in the local community was recognised by a Bristol MP in a very public and prestigious forum. During Tony Blair’s penultimate Prime Minister’s Question Time, MP Kerry McCarthy representing Bristol East asked:
‘Will my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister join me in praising the Refugee Awareness Projects being run by Refugee Action in Bristol, Nottingham and Liverpool? The project teams go into local communities to challenge the many myths and media distortions about refugees and asylum seekers, and to help the refugees who have genuinely fled persecution in their homelands to find a safe haven in this country.’
In 2008 the achievements of the volunteers were recognised through independent nominations for the Queen’s Award for Volunteering. This is awarded on a regional basis to outstanding volunteer teams who make a contribution to their local community. Here are some of the quotes from the nomination forms that led to our very special nomination:
‘RAP’s work in Bristol has helped further enhance the work of Bristol City Council and other organisations in contributing to the notion that people who arrive in Bristol having claimed asylum or as refugees are welcome to the city. They have become integral to raising awareness in an engaging and non-judgemental way – the Bristol RAP project has a strong culture of humility running through it.’
Lorraine Ayensu, Bristol City Council
‘I feel that this initiative is very important to improving community cohesion and community relations, thus improving people’s understanding of refugees, and of asylum. The knock-on effect of this will be a more tolerant society and a decrease in the number of hate crimes committed against the refugee and asylum seeker community.’
Bill McAdam, Merseyside Police
