1. Refugee Action KingstonCelebrating its successes 2013 –2014
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2. What is Refugee Action Kingston ?
An independent charity established in 1991 by volunteers
(today 12 members of paid staff and 91 volunteers)
Currently 1645 families on register
Our overall aim:
To enable people from refugee backgrounds in Kingston and surrounding areas to become active, independent and accepted participants in our local communities
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3. Refugees–people whose application for asylum in the UK has been successful and who are allowed to stay in the UK having proved they would face prosecution back home.
Who are RAK’s clients?
Asylum seekers –people who have formally applied for asylum in the UK, but whose application has not yet been decided.
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4. But they are also…
Older people
Disabled people
People with health and mental health issues
Children and young people
Professional people and people with skills and experience
Wives, husbands, parents, grandparents, children, brothers, sisters, cousins, friends…
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5. How RAK contributes to RBK’s outcomes?
Improving health and wellbeing and narrowing the gap in health inequalities
(Kingston Plan, Kingston Health & Wellbeing Strategy, Kingston Strategic Partnership)
Addressing the needs of socially excluded and disadvantaged communities
(Health and Wellbeing Strategy -1 of 4 themes and CCG Work Group -1 of 6 work streams)
Contributing towards Kingston Council’s commitment towards equality and diversity in response to the Equality Act 2010
(Equality and Community Cohesion Strategy 2013 –2016)
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6. What do refugees & asylum seekers in Kingston need?
Kingston joint Refugee and Migrant Strategy
In 2008-2009, RAK worked with the Royal Borough of Kingston researching the needs of refugees and asylum seekers in the Borough of Kingston.
This resulted in a joint 5 year refugee and migrants strategy ‘All Different, All Equal’ (2010-2015) written by key strategic partners from different public and voluntary sector organisations.
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7. The key themes of the Strategy
Communication and learning English
Information and advice
Entitlement, Access and Eligibility
Employment and volunteering
Improving the health of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants
Improving housing for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants
Community Safety for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants
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8. Refugee, Asylum Seeker and Migrant Needs Assessment
22Community researchers -Recruited, trained and supported
23 Photo-diaries (with interview) -Refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and stakeholders
6Focus groups -Refugees and asylum seekers, practitioners and stakeholders
15One-to-one interviews:
African Positive Outlook, Islamic Resource Centre, Learn English at Home, Refugee Action Kingston, KIS, Kingston CAB, Clinical Commissioning Group, JobcentrePlus, Leaving Care Team, Kingston Mind, ECET team, Healthwatch, KingstonVoluntaryAction & Somali Community Association

9. Emerging Themes
Language and communication
Benefits and debt
Employment
Housing
Health and access to health services
Mental health
Social isolation
Food and nutrition
Also emerged in the 2008 / 09 needs assessment
‘New’ themes

10. Diary extract
‘The vulnerable person is like the dandelion. This plant would be easily scattered by wind. We should get the equity from the community in term of thephysical health, mental health and well being.’
For further information please contact:
DrCarlie Goldsmith
North Social Research and Training
Mobile: 07807 629915
Email: carlieg@north- rtd.co.uk

11. How is RAK addressing these needs?
Language and Communication
RAK’s Learning Centre open 4 days a week
Volunteer led ESOL lessons and life skill sessions followed by a lunch and a chance to make friends
Free crèche facilities for children under 5
Outcomes for learners:
100% improved their English
83% improved contact with local services
96% improved confidence
83% reduced loneliness
86% reduces stress levels
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12. RAK Learning Centre at Piper Hall 12

13. ‘My name is Omar Hamdi. I come from Iraq. I register with Refugee Kingston. Without Refugee Kingston, my life is very difficult because Refugee Kingston help me very much about learning English, beginning learning English and the course of IT and help me to find work and, make application for housing benefit, make application for my mum’s pension and help me with anything I need, you help me.’
How is RAK addressing these needs?
Information and Advice -Crisis Support Project
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14. How is RAK addressing these needs?
Information and Advice -Crisis Support Project
Drop-in twice a week, appointments for more complex cases.
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16. ‘When I arrived, I didn’t know how to register with a GP. When I used to be ill, I used to go straightaway to the hospital because I didn’t know the system. And the dentist as well…
I didn’t know how to register and what is the entitlement for the dentist as well. The language is very difficult, I have a communication problem, so they always arrange an interpreter for me to access health services. Now my life is getting better, because, I mean… now I am registered and am confident to access health services much better.’
How is RAK addressing these needs?
Entitlement, Access and Eligibility -Crisis Support Project
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17. How is RAK addressing these needs?
Entitlement, Access and Eligibility -Crisis Support Project
Helping clients to secure their rights to access services, support and opportunities
Regular health awareness days in the Learning Centre
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19. Improving health –Crisis Intervention Project (Counselling)
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20. How is RAK addressing these needs?
Jobs, employment and voluntary opportunities –IAG
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‘Yvette who works at RAK helps me a lot to find a job and write a CV and helps me learn how to interview.
I talk with her in English, so my speaking English also improves. When I apply I need to do a test and it improves my reading.
Yvette tells me a lot of things I don’t know, culture, new words. She is like a friend. Also she can help me find a course. After she speaks to me and understands me, she suggests to me course that is good for me in the future time. Her suggestion is always very good.’

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22. How is RAK addressing these needs?
Voluntary opportunities – Time Bank
The project encourages people to come together, exchange skills and give their time to help others.
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“My name is Zara. I’m a maths teacher. At the moment I’m tutoring a year 9 pupil as a volunteer through the time bank program. It helps me in many ways. It is a good chance for me to practice my teaching skills. Another important point is providing a reference, which is always asked by employers in application forms. And I’m looking for a job, and considering the fact that I don’t have any background in this country, volunteering through the time bank is a good opportunity for me to provide a reference. At the end I want to say that I really enjoy every minute of this program and say thank you to the people who provide this opportunity for me. I really appreciate their help.”

24. What else do refugees and asylum seekers in Kingston need?
Many young refugees and asylum seekers report depression, loneliness, and isolation and experience difficulties making friends
“Language was a real difficulty, but education here is very different. At school, other children found it difficult to accept my children, as they couldn’t communicate at the beginning either, but also because we are from a different culture. My children found it difficult coming into a foreign and new environment.”
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25. How RAK is addressing this need?
Summer Play Scheme events for children aged 7-11
Young People’s Project for those aged 12-16
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26. How else RAK improves integration?
Regular activities, consultations and workshops on 4 days a week at the Learning Centre
Outings locally and to London
Visits to local schools and colleges to promote the cause of refugees and asylum seekers 26

28. Our Volunteers 28

29. Partnerships, memberships, networks
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31. RAK would like to thank everyone who helped us improve the lives of refugees and asylum seekers in Kingston! 31

32. Refugee Action Kingston (RAK)
0208 547 0115
ADMIN@REFUGEEACTIONKINGSTON.ORG.UK
WWW.REFUGEEACTIONKINGSTON.ORG.UK
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