Leeds City Council’s communications team have produced this toolkit pack to support local community engagement with consistent, citywide messaging re COVID-19. The toolkit is hosted on Google Drive, is publicly accessible and can be shared freely with local partners.
Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have released date and location information for the NHS vaccination minibus tour. Anyone aged 18 and over can receive a Covid-19 vaccination, their first or their second, without needing to book an appointment first.
Doctors of the World present research into the stories of marginalised people across Europe who have struggled to access healthcare during the Covid-19 pandemic. Further publications are available.
From 1 July 2021, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme will need to evidence their rights in the UK with their digital immigration status, rather than their passport or ID card. For example, they may need to do this when applying for a job or when renting a property.
We (The Home Office) have published a new guide for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens on viewing and proving their immigration status (eVisa). The guide explains how people can view and prove their immigration status, update their details, what they should expect when crossing the UK border and how to get help accessing their immigration status.
It is important that EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members keep their personal details up to date and inform the Home Office if their travel document changes, using the View and Prove service.
Please share the guide with your networks and signpost EU, EEA and Swiss citizens to it directly for more information.
1. Translated: 5 videos & leaflets explaining the English health system in Arabic
Lancashire County Council commissioned Rethink Rebuild Society to work with experts by experience to create a series of videos and booklets in Arabic that aim to raise awareness about Health System in England amongst Arabic-speaking Refugees.
Work Right in Yorkshire and Humber is a campaign run by the Health & Safety Executive aimed at helping smaller businesses and workers during Covid-19. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety.
There is now the English version of these St. Bart’s Health NHS Trust translations of key facts to help keep people informed about the Covid-19 vaccine.
British Medical Journal have published article on prioritising inclusion health groups for covid-19 vaccination and practical ways to do this by Amy Stevens, available here
Training, events and research
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month
This year’s Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month theme is ‘Make Some Space’ and Friends, Families and Travellers have created a number of shareable resources.
This research event is of relevance to all those working with, or on behalf of, refugee and asylum-seeking children and youth (Families) across the UK and at a strategic level, e.g. Public Health, service leads, commissioners and those involved in policy.
The event will be held via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 14th July 2021 at 13:00-14:00 and will cover research conducted by Sarah Hunt.
Voluntary and community sector partners and/or local authority community champions leads are asked to share this training invite to community champions.
“Building on the foundations of the ‘Good Conversations’ workshops run in Yorkshire and Humber, we have commissioned a new Vaccines Conversations workshop aimed at people who are in regular contact with members of the public.
Initially 20 workshops will be delivered aimed at trusted community champions in the North East and Yorkshire and Humber. Subject to demand this offer will be extended to local authority Covid hub/trace teams and health and social care staff.
Each workshop can caterer for 30 people and lasts for 2 hours, dates available from the 15 June to 08th July.
Click here for further information and booking links.
We had a lot of thinking and processing to do from all of the learning described above. We started to make some draft changes to the Toolkit (see below), but before making anything public, we tested these ideas out with our primary users/target users: people currently navigating the asylum and immigration system.
We tested out different versions of titles for sections of the guide. We asked people if they preferred pages with or without “accordion boxes” (dropdown panels that expand to reveal more text when you click on them). We asked people about how they would navigate different topics to find the information they need. This is called “usability testing”, or “user testing”.
In a usability-testing session <Toolkit guide usability testing> , a researcher “asks a participant to perform tasks, usually using one or more specific user interfaces. While the participant completes each task, the researcher observes the participant’s behavior and listens for feedback.” We carried out these sessions using zoom, with some of the asylum support groups we work with sourcing participants. It was fortunate that this element of our project was very easy to conduct online, which wasn’t what we had planned pre-pandemic.
The different pages of the Toolkit website have been renamed so that they are clearer to people looking at google search results.
Some of the language has changed because we are no longer assuming that people see the guide as an overarching resource – each page and its information should stand alone.
Clearer language, clearer audience. We hope it’s speaking more directly to people who are navigating the process – and uses more of the words that people use themselves to describe this process – while still of course being of use to those supporting other people to go through the process.
For more detailed information about guide click below:
We’ve separated out some pages that had previously been collected together because we thought that people would use the Toolkit website following a vaguely chronological pattern. We know now that that generally isn’t the case.
We’ve also made some pages more specific to asylum, or immigration. We now have separate pages for entering the UK, depending on whether you are looking for information about immigration, or asylum (a page called “Visas
No charges for coronavirus (COVID-19) testing, treatment and vaccination
Overseas visitors to England, including anyone living in the UK without permission, will not be charged for:
testing for COVID-19 (even if the test shows they do not have COVID-19)
treatment for COVID-19, including for a related problem called multisystem inflammatory syndrome that affects some children
vaccination against COVID-19
No immigration checks are needed for overseas visitors if they are only tested, treated or vaccinated for COVID-19.
Accessing COVID-19 vaccination without an NHS number
Individuals do not require an NHS number or GP registration to receive the COVID-19 vaccination and should not be denied vaccination on this basis. Individuals who do not have an NHS number or are not registered with a GP are still entitled to free COVID-19 vaccinations.
While registration with a GP is encouraged to access the vaccine, individuals can request to book COVID-19 vaccination appointments as an unregistered patient through a local GP practice.
Local outreach services are available in some areas to provide COVID-19 vaccination to those who are eligible but have difficulties accessing vaccination.
If an individual has an NHS number, they can find it through this online tool.
The International Organization for Migration has set up the COVID-19 Migrant Information Service, which provides multilingual information on COVID-19 measures and support in the UK context. The aim is to support migrants who may face language barriers when reading complex information. The information is available in 5 languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic and Romanian. It relates to 5 important areas of everyday life that have been significantly affected by COVID-19: health, employment, benefits, housing and immigration.
NaTHNaC also provides up to date overseas travel health information.
Vitamin D
There have been some reports about vitamin D potentially reducing the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19). NICE, Public Health England and the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition have undertaken robust assessments of the available evidence on vitamin D and COVID-19. They have concluded that currently, there is not enough evidence to solely treat or prevent COVID-19, except as part of a clinical trial. For further information, see the NICE COVID-19 rapid guideline on vitamin D.
In addition to existing guidance on vitamin D supplementation, adults, young people and children over 4 years should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms (400 units) of vitamin D throughout the year if they have little or no sunshine exposure because they are spending most of their time indoors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kirklees Council have produced videos, recorded at the Hudawi Community Centre, one of Kirklees community testing sites, explaining how to carry out a lateral flow test.
The videos include audio in English and a translation in text in the following languages:
#KirkleesWelcomes Community Connectors who have had the vaccine are developing their own messages to share with migrant communities to encourage others to take up the offer of the vaccine.
‘This article reports age-standardised rates of death involving the coronavirus (COVID-19) by religious group and uses statistical models to adjust for location, measures of disadvantage, occupation, living arrangements, and pre-existing health conditions. It compares the risk of COVID-19 mortality in two discrete periods aligned to each wave of the pandemic.’
The Refugee Council’s England-wide Infoline service will extend, at this stage, until 31st July, please see below for updated service information.
Service updates
Live service Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 10.30-1pm and 2pm-4.30pm. To contact the Infoline and speak to the team, call free phone 0808 196 7272
The Infoline has a small casework service. The priority is for those who are unable to access alternative local support, and where a short-term intervention around housing, financial support, accessing health care or accessing legal advice is likely to avoid or resolve crisis. Referrals are through the Infoline.
If you would like to contact the team for any reason, including with additional service information, to refer with consent, or relating to enquiries, the team email address is infoline@refugeecouncil.org.uk.
Infoline directory of services
If your service delivery has recently changed or you want to be added to our signposting directory, please complete this short form to update us with your service information, to make sure that we hold and give out the information you wish us to, including around service capacity.
EU Delegation provides free legal support surgeries that can be booked online. The aim of providing one-to-one legal support to at least 10 vulnerable citizens per surgery. Local authorities can book the surgeries for children in care and care leavers so please share this information with your children’s services teams.
Free online workshops
A number of free information sessions and workshops covering different aspects of the EU Settlement Scheme are available in May and June, starting from next week. Please see below for dates and details how to book on. Please circulate it among your networks.
Devon County Council have created posters for tourism providers to share with their guests in order to help reduce the risk of a local outbreak of coronavirus. They are helpful for anyone travelling within the UK.
The COVID-19 page of the Migrant Health Guidehas been updated with a new section about accessing the vaccine for those with no NHS number/those who decline GP registration.
Keeping well at home – This 24 page booklet highlights tips for staying well at home for older adults including exercise and nutrition and includes useful local contact details.
The Community Champions Project are now accepting applications for Covid-19 Community Champion Micro Grants of up to £1,000 now available*, read more about the grant here or apply here.
*Applications will be assessed weekly until end of May 2021, however this could be subject to review. It is advised you submit your application as soon as possible.*
Be Collective are looking for people who live or work in Leeds who want to support their friends, family, neighbours and community to have information about Covid-19 and the vaccine which will help them feel supported, make informed choices and stay safe.
The Building Bridges conference focused on addressing mental health and wellbeing issues and other vulnerabilities among the asylum-seeking population and the importance of looking after the mental health and resilience of all frontline staff.
Migrant Info Hub Update Information
This roundup will be sent weekly on Fridays
On Migrant Info Hub you can search for resources by language, by topic or by date
If you have any feedback on the format or content of this weekly roundup, or the Migrant Info Hub, it is warmly welcome
Please feel free to share this information with your networks – new subscribers can sign up here
UK. Gov have updated their face covering guidance to reflect current restrictions and to explain when to wear a face covering, exemptions from wearing one, and how to make your own face covering. There are also links to printable exemption cards.
Please see guidance documents below, in English and other language translations:
Asylum Support Payments (ASP) Project Update The Asylum Support Payments (ASP) project will soon be introducing a new payment card for service users (SUs). The new card will function in a similar way to the current card (whilst maintaining the same name), however its colour and provider will differ
The new Aspen card will be dispatched out to SUs from 10th May, ready for funds to be switched over and cards to be used for the first time on Monday 24th May 2021. These will be distributed by our service provider, Prepaid Financial Services (PFS). Timelines High-level summary of the transition timeline:
From 10th May – The new Aspen card will be dispatched to SUs, along with an instructional pin mailer (see below for further details on SU comms). •
Friday 21st May (from 5pm) – The current Aspen card will be deactivated to enable the balance transfer.
Weekend of 22nd/23rd May – ‘Blackout period’ – A balance transfer between the old and new Aspen card will take place. Throughout this weekend, both Aspen cards will be switched off. •
Monday 24th May – The new Aspen card will be live and active for SUs to use, with their previous balance transferred and their weekly payments continuing to be made.
For more information (translated information as well) please see attached documents below:
UK.Gov have produced ‘Guidance on ethical considerations for local authorities and adult social care professionals planning their response to COVID-19.’
#KirkleesWelcomes Community Connectors who have had the COVID-19 vaccine are developing their own messages to share with migrant communities to encourage others to take up the offer of the vaccine.
Designed for frontline professionals and community groups who may encounter potential victims of modern slavery or those at risk of exploitation, this pocketbook explains what Modern Slavery is and the differences between human trafficking and smuggling.
If your organisation is helping vulnerable EU citizens complete their EUSS application, the Delegation of the European Union to the United Kingdom can offer further legal advice, free of charge. The EU Delegation can offer a lawyer to attend a digital advice surgery with the aim of providing one-to-one legal support to at least 10 vulnerable citizens per surgery.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists are also offering a wide range of information and guidance around COVID-19, pregnancy and fertility, including specific advice for people from minoritised ethnicities.
The South Asian Health Foundation have recorded guidance and information that people in the UK can share with loved ones abroad, and use to approach political representatives for support. They’ve also launched a call to action – view the 10 point plan.
Translated: Updated guidance on protecting medically extremely vulnerable people
The guidance advises people who are clinically extremely vulnerable of the precautions that they should continue to take to protect themselves, in addition to the rules that are in place for everyone.
A collection of guidance from medical professionals on managing and recovering from COVID-19 and ‘Long-COVID’ containing text and useful infographic type resources.
Thanks to Kirklees Councils Cohesion Team working alongside Kim Strickson and colleagues this fantastic programme has taken place and plans and developments are well underway for 2021!
The information below has been extracted from page 3 and 4, of the: SUMMER TERM- EDITION 3, SCHOOLS OF SANCTUARY NEWSLETTER
Linking Programme in Kirklees, West Yorkshire
In Kirklees, West Yorkshire, a team of 3 education and community heritage specialists lead a school linking programme with over 30 schools called Carry My Story. Following a process of exploring individual and group identity, the focus for this work has been the collecting and exchanging of personal and local stories. As a pupil said, “You don’t know who people really are or what they go through in their lives until you take time to listen to their stories.”
In 2017, as a pilot project, we introduced a group of refugees and asylum seekers to a school in Huddersfield, to share their life experiences and exchange stories with pupils. It was very powerful and elicited great empathy from the children, so that they wanted to go home and talk to their parents and families about the amazing, resilient and gifted people they had met. The children were challenging preconceptions and negative stereotypes even within their family networks
Since then, with the generous help and support of Kirklees Council as well as The Linking Network who fund school linking nationally, every school group has met a refugee or asylum seeker and built a relationship with them. It begins with each person talking to our team about their story, making choices about what they would like to share, decorating a story box and making a tiny book to hold their story. These beautiful boxes are posted to schools and pupils have the pleasure of receiving a parcel and unwrapping the treasure inside.
The children and young people “carry” the story for some weeks with their teachers, collating questions they want to ask, researching the country and culture of the person whose story is shared.
The sanctuary seekers visit the school and pupils are able to ask pre-prepared questions, the depth of which continues to amaze us:
“What gave you the strength to leave your country?”
“How have you had to change your identity to live here?”
“How do you stay happy without your family and friends around you?”
Children are excited to discover that amongst our group of sanctuary seekers is a biochemist, a chemical engineer, an international footballer, an expert beekeeper, teachers, musicians, a computer scientist, a vet, and an industrial manager.
Following the visits, the children begin to form a creative response to the shared stories that can be presented to parents and fellow pupils in schools during assemblies and with a wider audience at finale events. It is a time of creativity, pride, confidence, empathy, understanding, encouragement and real love. One refugee said “Today we feel part of a big family. You have helped to create out first happy memory in the UK.”
In spite of the challenges of the past year due to the pandemic, the linking programme is continuing with 32 schools signed up and story boxes being sent out, as I write this article. Some schools are interested in becoming Schools of Sanctuary and we are working with Sanctuary Kirklees to make sure they are supported throughout this process. The benefits of the project have exceeded all expectations. At a time when our communities, our country and indeed the world seem ever more divisive and fractured, this work is more important and relevant than ever!
COVID-19 vaccine animations launched to help tackle disinformation
NHS England and NHS Improvement has launched a series of animations aimed at tackling disinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine. Aimed specifically at encouraging uptake in ethnic minority groups, the animations are available in 17 different languages and are suitable for use on a wide range of social media platforms. They cover key topics including vaccine safety, how it was tested, how it was developed so quickly, what is in it, and what the side effects are. Original files can be downloaded from the campaign resource centre in the form of short clips and also a longer video, and the English versions are also available on YouTube.
Kirklees Adult Learning has launched its spring 2021 course timetable. Offering a range of short courses and workshops, there should be something to suit everyone. We have courses to help with employability skills, boost confidence and thinking skills, health and wellbeing, eating healthily and on a budget as well as helping you cope with isolation. There are courses for supporting family learning, phonics, supporting reading and how to manage challenging behaviour too.
Many people have sadly lost their jobs during the pandemic, or understandably may be struggling to stay motivated. Learning something new is a great way to build skills and confidence, our courses are aimed at complete beginners, they are free with no fee to pay, all we ask is that you bring a willingness to learn.
Hi everyone and welcome to this week’s update. We hope you find these resources useful, please let us know if you have any feedback or questions.
Best wishes,
MIH team
Translated Resources: Doctors of the World vaccine information, Updated Stay At Home Guidance by UK Gov, Helping children and young people cope during the pandemic, Letter to high risk 70 year olds, ‘Please get the vaccine’ videos by Ask Doc, Census information, What to do after you’ve had the vaccine – animations, New language added to Retas videos encouraging vaccine uptake
Information Resources: Tailored vaccine outreach to socially excluded groups,Guidance on shared and overcrowded housing, Differences in the experience of Covid-19 by men and women, Yorkshire and Humber Migrant Health Group webinar
Coronavirus vaccine guidance for migrant and other excluded communities in England, Scotland, and Wales. The guidance includes advice on who can get the coronavirus vaccine and how to get it, as well as information on the safety, effectiveness, side effects, and ingredients of the vaccine.
UK Gov guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19 pandemic)
UK Gov letter to people identified as high risk by COVID-19 population risk assessment model – aged 70 and over, explains additional vulnerabilities, offers guidance on staying safe and how to access support.
Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group have produced a collection of animated videos explaining ‘what to do after you have had the vaccine’. Key messages include: Protection takes 2-3 weeks to kick in, being vaccinated does not mean you are fully protected, the importance of the second dose, it is still possible to transmit Covid, what you should do to keep yourself and others safe, your actions matter.
This UK Gov guidance explains the additional steps you should consider to reduce the risk of catching or passing on COVID-19. This guidance applies to those who rent their accommodation, and people who own their accommodation. There is additional guidance for landlords and tenants.
The Yorkshire and Humber Migrant Health Group held a webinar this week to support stakeholders in meeting the health and wellbeing needs of individuals seeking asylum.
The presentations and recordings are available here
Migrant Info Hub Update Information.
This roundup will be sent weekly on Fridays
On the Updated Hub you can now search for resources by language, by topic or by date
If you have any feedback on the format or content of this weekly roundup, or the Migrant Info Hub, it is warmly welcome
Please feel free to share this information with your networks – new subscribers can sign up here
A variety of new and updated resources this week. We hope there is something useful for you here. Best wishes, MIH team
Translated Resources: Mental health & self-care, detailed official covid-restrictions, letters to high risk and vulnerable adults and young people, access to quality legal advice (and complaints procedures), vaccine explanation videos, updated detailed Covid-19 information leaflets and MP3s.
Information Resources: National Youth Agency Covid-19 Guidance & webinar, Public Health England: New ‘Covid-19 – Road Map explainers, Easy read roadmap infographic, Local radio from all over the world, Updated guidance for staff involved in accommodation for asylum seekers.
Training, events and research: Recorded Vaccine Webinar for Imams & Community Leaders, COVID-19 Vaccination – Workforce Cell Communications team – resources and requests around the vaccine rollout to ‘BAME’ health and social care workers.
Mindwell Leeds have produced a range of information on their website which has a facility enabling you to change the language of each resource. These resources are therefore available in a huge range of languages. Note: Where resources mention services, they often offer national and regional organisations as well as services in Leeds.
The summary covers, what you can and cannot do during the national lockdown, Hands. Face. Space, Reducing the chance of catching or spreading the virus in your home, When you can leave home, Meeting other people, Exercising, Face coverings, Support and childcare bubbles, If you break the rules, Protecting people more at risk from coronavirus, Going to work, Going to school or college, Universities, Childcare, Travel, International travel, Staying away from home overnight, Care home visits, Funerals, Weddings, civil partnerships and religious services, Places of worship, Sports and physical activity, Moving home, Financial support, Businesses and venues, Businesses and venues which can remain open, Healthcare and public services,
Translated reference-only version of letter to people identified as high risk by COVID-19 population risk assessment model, aged 19 to 69 sent 17 February 2020.
The National Youth Agency (NYA), with Public Health England and the Health and Safety Executive, developed youth sector specific advice and guidance to support local providers, leaders, volunteers and young people to remain safe when engaging in youth sector activities. It is intended to guide the youth sector in opening up services for young people at the right pace and time. The full guidance document is available to download via the NYA website. There is also a NYA Covid-19 guidance webinar available to watch
Dr Usman Choudry and Dr Fazel Butt from AskDoc deliver a Covid Vaccine Webinar for Imams & Community Leaders (published 25 February 2021 by Ask Doc)
COVID-19 Vaccination – Workforce Cell Communications team
NHS England and NHS Improvement have shared some resources to support the vaccine rollout among ‘BAME’ health and social care workers.
The new NHS England and NHS Improvement vaccine programme communications pack and NHS England and NHS Improvement staff vaccine campaign guide can be requested here.
A video of why vaccination is important for health and social care colleagues featuring Dr Nikki Kanani and a video from the NHS chief people office, Prerana Issar
Example content we have received from colleagues to help us spread positive pro-vaccine messaging Dr Mayank Patel, Dr Carter Singh
‘As well as sharing the content above and attached, there a few more ways you can help us to raise awareness of the vaccination programme with BAME staff and communities:
If you chair or are part of a relevant staff network, please add workforce vaccination to the agenda of any upcoming meetings to help promote the importance of vaccination and to answer any questions or concerns that may arise. We may be able to help provide speakers
Provide, and encourage colleagues to provide, content to help support vaccine messaging. This includes;
short videos – up to 90 seconds for social media platforms
supportive quotes – for social media and other electronic messaging
photographs of BAME staff receiving the vaccine – for social media platforms
We are particularly keen on reaching colleagues in estates and facilities, who are currently underrepresented in our communications. If you have particular links to this group, please pass on this email or share the details with us.
The government has added 26 translations of the factsheet which provides the key points of the EU Settlement Scheme on one side, and lists the support available on the reverse.
Welcome to this week’s update, especially everyone who signed up this week. We hope you find these resources useful.
Thanks to everyone who created and shared resources. As always, all feedback is welcome.
Best wishes,
MIH team
Translated Resources: COVID-19 Vaccines Explained series, EU settlement scheme – factsheet, Astra Zeneca video explainer, Pfizer video explainer, Testing for coronavirus before hospital, How to stop the spread – easy read, Vaccination guide for older adults, Vaccination guide for healthcare workers, Vaccination for childbearing age, Vaccination for social care staff, What to expect after your vaccine and Why you are being asked to wait.
Information Resources: WomenCentre digital gallery for International Women’s Day, NHS update on text alerts for COVID jab and further government support for tenants.
The government has added 26 translations of the factsheet which provides the key points of the EU Settlement Scheme on one side, and lists the support available on the reverse.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, WomenCentre have created a Digital Gallery to showcase the creative work of female participants in the Connecting Opportunities project. The gallery features Get Inspired creative sheets available to download – focusing on photography, drawing, poetry and conceptual art.
The NHS will begin texting people from 10 March 2021 inviting them to book their COVID jab, making it quicker and more convenient to get an appointment.
The Government have announced that the ban on commercial evictions will be extended to 30 June and bailiff enforced eviction ban extended to 31 May to protect residential tenants.
Migrant Info Hub Update Information.
This roundup will be sent weekly on Fridays
On the Updated Hub you can now search for resources by language, by topic or by date
If you have any feedback on the format or content of this weekly roundup, or the Migrant Info Hub, it is warmly welcome
Please feel free to share this information with your networks – new subscribers can sign up here
kirkleeswelcomes 
