Migrant Info Hub update #72: 4 November 2022

Translated Resources

  1. Translated: Covid-19 vaccination resources for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding

A leaflet on Covid-19 vaccinations during pregnancy or breastfeeding is available in English, English large print, English Easy Read, Audio, Braille, British Sign Language, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional, Cantonese), Estonian, Farsi, French, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Panjabi, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Romany, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu, Yiddish and Yoruba.

  1. Translated: resources on flu vaccination for parents and carers

Protect your child against flu – information for parents and carers leaflet is available in Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional, Cantonese), Estonian, Farsi, French, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Latvian, Lithuanian, Panjabi, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Romany, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu and Yiddish.

An English large print, Braille version, audio version available to download and a British Sign Language video are also available.

  1. Translated: Modern Slavery awareness video

Leeds City Council’s Migration Team worked in partnership with the Safeguarding and Domestic Violence team, Hope for Justice (a charity working with victims of modern slavery) and West Yorkshire Police to create a 7 minute film that raises awareness of modern slavery.

Modern slavery video – with English subtitles

Modern slavery video – with Vietnamese subtitles

Modern slavery video – with Albanian subtitles

 

Information Resources

  1. Factors affecting vaccine delivery and uptake in adult migrants in UK primary care

BMJ Open have published a study in the National Library of Medicine, “We don’t routinely check vaccination background in adults”: a national qualitative study of barriers and facilitators to vaccine delivery and uptake in adult migrants through UK primary care.

Events and Training

  1. On Your Side info sessions

On Your Side is a new nationwide service offering dedicated support for East and Southeast Asian victims of racism and/or other forms of hate.

The service includes a 24/7 freephone helpline available in East and Southeast Asian languages; a website with reporting forms and resources; and ongoing community-based support delivered by trained casework advocates.

These online information sessions are designed for East and Southeast Asian community members as well as staff, volunteers and/or organisers at community groups, businesses, university groups, trade unions, and faith groups.

  • Wednesday 9th November 5.30pm-6.30pm
  • Tuesday 22nd November 10am – 11am

Register on Eventbrite to attend either session – if you have any questions, please contact info@onyoursideuk.org

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Migrant Info Hub update #71: 14 October 2022

Translated Resources

  1. Translated – All lateral flow test instructions

British Sign Language resources have been added for the Surescreen lateral flow, Orient Gene antigen self-test and ACON Flowflex nose only test as well as the rapid throat and nose lateral flow test.

  1. Translated leaflets encouraging flu vaccination uptake

Public Health Agency have created a leaflet encouraging people to take the flu vaccine also available in British Sign Language, Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian and Slovak.

Information Resources

  1. Mental health and homelessness guide

Groundswell and MIND have created a mental health guide for people experiencing homelessness to help them understand their rights to mental health support if they’re having thoughts, feelings or experiences that are upsetting or overwhelming.

  1. Regional participation networks fighting against homeless health inequalities

Groundswell’s participation networks in London and the North East & Yorkshire, are searching for organisations working with people from inclusion health groups including people experiencing homelessness, drug and alcohol dependence, vulnerable migrants, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, sex workers, people in contact with the justice system and victims of modern slavery.

  1. The Commission on the Integration of Refugees

A new independent commission convened and funded by the Woolf Institute will be launched later in 2022, aiming to improve the refugee and asylum system through consultation and research.

Migrant Info Hub update #68: 26 August 2022

Translated Resources

  1. Translated: Covid-19 vaccination autumn booster resources

The UK Health Security Agency has published guidance on Covid-19 booster vaccinations for autumn 2022.

A leaflet is also available and has been translated into these languages:

Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional, Cantonese), Estonian, Farsi, French, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Panjabi, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Romany, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu, Yiddish and Yoruba.

An English large print version and Braille version are available to order.

British Sign Language (BSL) videos on Covid-19 vaccination are available to view or download.

  1. Translated: NHS Covid Pass

Translated information about the content of the NHS COVID Pass letter has been updated:

Guidance is available in Easy Read, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Lithuanian, Nepali, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Spanish and Urdu.

 

Information Resources

  1. Covid-19: advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents

Update: As of 4th October 2022, the government is ending the concession for people applying for a Health and Care Worker visa or who are waiting for a decision on their application.

Applicants with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) assigned after this date cannot begin work until they have received their visa.

More information is available in the If you’re working for the NHS section.

  1. Covid-19 testing in homelessness, domestic abuse refuge and respite room settings

As of 31st August 2022, the UK Health and Security Agency are pausing Covid-19 testing for homelessness, domestic abuse refuge and respite services.

Events and Training

  1. Vulnerability, migration and well-being report launch

‘Vulnerability, Migration, and Wellbeing: investigating experiences, perceptions, and barriers’

Topic: A report on the experiences and wellbeing of asylum seekers and undocumented migrants

Date: Monday 12 September 2022 from 13.30-15.30

Location: Nuffield Foundation, 100 St John Street, London, EC1M 4EH & online via Zoom.

Find out more about the project on the Nuffield Foundation website.Register online for the launch via Eventbrite.

Migrant Info Hub update #67: 12 August 2022

Translated Resources

  1. Translated: Monkeypox vaccination resources

Gov.UK have created translated resources on the smallpox vaccination used to protect people against the monkeypox virus.

                Protecting you from monkeypox – information on the smallpox vaccination – leaflet

Also available in Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Estonian, French, German, Hindi, Latvian, Lithuanian, Panjabi, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Urdu, Xhosa and Yoruba.

An English large print and braille version of this leaflet are available to order, an audio version is available to download and a BSL video version can be viewed.

  1. Translated: Covid-19 advice for the public from WHO

The World Health Organisation have collated comprehensive Covid-19 guidance and infographics in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

  1. Translated: information leaflet given to all patients before they leave hospital

Available in English, Easy read – English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish and Urdu.

An editable PDF version has been added, allowing specific contact details to be added in case patients need to speak to someone after leaving hospital.

  1. Translated: Looking after someone when they leave hospital leaflet

Available in English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Gujarati, French, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish, Urdu and now in Easy Read (English).

  1. Translated: Official reminder of the importance of ventilation

Updated guidance is available in Easy Read – English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Farsi, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi (Gurmukhi), Punjabi (Shahmukhi), Russian, Slovak, Somali, Tamil, Ukrainian and Urdu.

 

Information Resources

  1. Covid-19: advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents

The Home Office have updated their Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents.

  • UKVI continues to prioritise Ukraine Visa Scheme applications in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the invasion of Ukraine. Applications for some visas are taking longer to process. Find out more on the visa decision waiting times page.

Migrant Info Hub update #66: 29 July 2022

Translated Resources

  1. Translated: NHS Covid Pass
  • Update: From 21 July 2022, children aged 5 to 11 in England and the Isle of Man can get a digital NHS Covid Pass for international travel. Parents and guardians can request one from the NHS.UK website for young people from 5 – 15.
  1. Translated: Leaving hospital to go to another place of care

The Department of Health and Social Care have produced a leaflet for patients prior to their discharge from hospital to go to further non-acute bedded care, such as a care home.

This leaflet has been translated into Arabic, Bengali, Chinese – Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish and Urdu.

The leaflet is also available in Easy Read, in English.

  1. Translated: WHO global report on the health of refugees and migrants

WHO have published their first World report outlining current and future opportunities and challenges and providing several strategies to improve the health and wellbeing of refugees and migrants.

The summary of the report has been translated into Arabic, French, Russian and Spanish.

 

Information Resources

  1. Covid-19 testing in homelessness, domestic abuse refuge and respite room settings

The UK Health and Security Agency have released Covid-19 testing guidance for homelessness, domestic abuse refuge and respite services.

There is separate guidance available for prisons and other places of detention, care homes and accommodation for asylum seekers.

  1. Podcast: Supporting refugee and migrant health care in England

The King’s Fund have set up a podcast featuring interviews with experts on the NHS, social care, health policy and leadership.

The latest episode discusses: ‘How does the health and care system respond when an asylum seeker, refugee or migrant arrives in England?’

  1. Ukraine crisis: How the ONS has responded to the need for better information

The ONS has published their latest dataset ‘Visa holders entering the UK under the Ukraine Humanitarian Schemes’, recording the experiences and intentions of those arriving in the UK under both the Ukraine Family Scheme and the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.

The bulletin can be downloaded in Ukrainian to make the data accessible to all those who took part.

Migrant Info Hub update #65: 15 July 2022

Translated Resources

  1. Translated immunisation resources

UK Health Security Agency have published translated guidance on immunisations available through the NHS.

Measles: don’t let your child catch it flyer is available in Afrikaans, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese – Traditional, Chinese – Simplified, French, Hindi, Hebrew, German, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Romani, Romanian, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Turkish, Ukrainian and Urdu.

MMR for all leaflet is available to order in English, Bengali, Polish, Romanian, Somali, Ukrainian and Yoruba.

  1. Covid-19 vaccine resources for the Polish community

NHS England North West have created Covid-19 vaccine resources for the Polish community, including videos from the Covid-19 vaccination Polish language Youtube channel.

  1. Early detection of cancers – video in Arabic

Rethink Rebuild Society have released a video in Arabic addressing three important types of cancer that can be diagnosed early by the NHS free screenings: breast cancer, cervical cancer, and bowel cancer.

  1. Translated: information leaflet given to all patients before they leave hospital

Now available in English, Easy read, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish and Urdu.

 

Information Resources

  1. Ukraine: migrant health guide

UK.Gov have added advice and guidance on the health needs of migrant patients from Ukraine for healthcare practitioners, particularly the exemption of charges for the use of most NHS services.

Migrant Info Hub update #64: 1 July 2022

Translated Resources

  1. Translated: Guidance on living safely with respiratory infections, including Covid-19

The UKHSA’s guidance on actions you can take to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 and other respiratory infections is now available as an Easy Read version (English).

The original guidance is available in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Farsi, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi Gurmukhi, Punjabi Shahmukhi, Russian, Slovak, Somali, Tamil, Ukrainian and Urdu.

  1. Translated: PCR home testing for people eligible for new Covid-19 treatments

The UK Health and Security Agency have updated their guidance on new antibody and antiviral treatments to people with Covid-19 who are at highest risk of becoming seriously ill.

These include easy read guidance in English and guidance in Welsh.

Information Resources

  1. Safe environment? Investigating the use of temporary accommodation to house asylum seekers and refugees during the Covid-19 outbreak

Edinburgh Napier University have released research from a project on the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on asylum seekers and refugees living in the UK, focusing on individuals placed in temporary accommodations such as hotels, from November 2020 until February 2022.

A full list of publications and resources is available.

  1. Highest-risk patients eligible for Covid-19 treatments: guide for patients

The Department of Health and Social Care have published new guidance on the highest risk patients eligible for new Covid-19 treatments.

  1. Covid-19: advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents

The ‘If you’re in the UK’ section has been amended, updating the exceptional assurance visa or leave expiry date to 30 September 2022.

Migrant Info Hub update #63: 10 June 2022

  1. Translated: Monkeypox Q&A and key facts

Questions and Answers about monkeypox – English

Also available in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish.

Key facts about monkeypox – English

Also available in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish.

‘Monkeypox: What you need to know’ infographic in English

  1. Translated: Advice for people with symptoms of a respiratory infection, including Covid-19

There are now Easy Read resources available in English:

People with symptoms of an illness like Covid-19

What to do if you test positive for Covid-19

  1. Translated: Looking after someone when they leave hospital leaflet

The Department of Health and Social Care have updated their leaflet of guidance on how to care for someone when they leave hospital.

The leaflet is available in English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Gujarati, French, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish and Urdu.

 

Information Resources

  1. ‘Improving disability data to understand the effects of Covid-19 on people with different impairment types’

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) have published a research report on the use of predictive modelling and administrative health data to provide more detail on the effects of COVID-19 on disabled people.

  1. ‘Unequal impacts: How UK immigration law and policy affected migrants’ experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic’

The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) have published a new report, co-authored with PILC, “Unequal Impacts: How UK immigration law and policy affected migrants’ experiences of the Covid pandemic.

Key findings from JCWI research:

  • Covid-19 and the Government’s handling of the crisis have further weakened an already-broken immigration & asylum system
  • The immigration system, including Hostile Environment policies, have exacerbated the impact of Covid-19 on migrants and undermined public health efforts
  • Migrant communities, particularly those with insecure immigration status, have been disproportionately impacted by Covid-19
  • Changes brought in by the Home Secretary during the pandemic mark the start of a wider set of sweeping changes to the immigration & asylum system

Migrant Info Hub update #55: 19 – 25 February 2022

Translated Resources

  1. Translated: PCR home testing for people eligible for new Covid-19 treatments

The UK Health and Security Agency have published guidance on new antibody and antiviral treatments to people with Covid-19 who are at highest risk of becoming seriously ill.

These include easy read guidance in English and guidance in Welsh.

Information Resources

  1. Leeds Long Covid Community Rehabilitation Service

Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust and the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust have developed the Leeds Long Covid Community Rehabilitation Service to help people in Leeds who are experiencing new, long lasting problems 12 weeks or more after a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection.

  1. Covid-19 testing before you travel to England

Gov.UK have updated their guidance on who should take a Covid-19 test before travelling to England.

Anyone travelling from Ukraine is exempt from taking a test, due to the current political situation there.

Migrant Info Hub update #54: 12 – 18 February 2022

Due to ongoing changes, we are currently reviewing our Hub content, structure, and updates. If you have any feedback on what is or is not useful, or what could be, please let us know.

Best wishes,

MIH team

 

Translated Resources

  1. Translated: Survey on EU Citizens Healthcare Entitlement

Doctors Of The World have launched a survey in 7 languages aimed at gaining a better understanding of EU citizens’ experiences when accessing primary and secondary care in the UK.

A social media pack is available in the 7 languagesBulgarian, English, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian and Spanish.

  1. Translated: Antibody test kits

Updated guidance explaining what antibody test kits are and how they work available in: Bangla, Chinese (Simplified), Gujarati, Polish, Punjabi, Urdu and Welsh.

  1. Translated: COVID-19 saliva test kit instructions

The UK Health Security Agency have published guidance on how to take a saliva sample for COVID-19 testing.

This information is also available in Large Print, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese Simplified, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Polish, Punjabi Gurmukhi, Punjabi Shahmukhi, Romanian, Slovak, Somali, Spanish, Turkish, Welsh and Urdu.

  1. Translated: Guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection

UK.Gov have updated their guidance for households with a possible Covid-19 infection.

This is also available in: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Farsi, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi Gurmukhi, Punjabi Shahmukhi, Slovak, Somali, Tamil and Urdu.

  1. Translated: Guidance for funerals and commemorative events

UK.Gov guidance for funerals and commemorative events during the coronavirus pandemic has been updated to reflect changes in the law on face coverings.

This guidance is also available in: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Farsi, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi Gurmukhi, Punjabi Shahmukhi, Slovak, Somali, Tamil and Urdu.

  1. Translated: Guidance for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus

UK.Gov has updated their guidance for contacts of people with confirmed COVID-19 infection who do not live with the person.

This is also available in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Farsi, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi Gurmukhi, Punjabi Shahmukhi, Slovak, Somali, Tamil and Urdu.

  1. Translated: COVID-19 vaccination: resources for children and young people

Various vaccine resources for young people aged 12 – 17 and their parents, including accessible versions.

Main version available in: Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Chinese, Estonian, Farsi, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Latvian, Lithuanian, Panjabi, Pashto, Polish, Romanian, Romany, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu and Yiddish.

Information Resources

  1. Covid-19: advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents

The Home Office have updated their Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents.

The government has removed concessions for people working in healthcare whose visa expires between 1 April 2021 and 30 September 2021 and for pre-registration nurses and midwifes on the Temporary Register in the UK.

  1. Covid-19: advice for pregnant employees

The Department of Health and Social Care has updated their guidance for pregnant employees in the workplace.

Employers must now undertake a workplace risk assessment for their pregnant employees.

  1. UKHSA Review: Vaccine helps reduce risk of Long Covid

A new review by UK Health Security Agency shows that people who have had one or more doses of a Covid-19 vaccine are less likely to develop Long Covid than those who remain unvaccinated.

  1. Covid-19 rapid testing made easier for partially sighted people

The UK Health Security Agency has launched a new service making it easier for partially sighted people to use lateral flow tests in their home.

  1. Covid-19 vaccination: resources for parents and children aged 5 to 11 years

New UK.Gov resources added including easy read leaflet for at risk and young children aged 5 – 11, a guide for parents of children aged 5 to 11 years of age at high risk and an easy read guide for parents.

Migrant Info Hub update #53: 5 – 11 February 2022

Due to ongoing changes, we are currently reviewing our Hub content, structure, and updates. If you have any feedback on what is or is not useful, or what could be, please let us know.

Best wishes,

MIH team

 

Translated Resources

  1. Translated: Immunisation information for migrants

The UK Health Security Agency have updated their immunisation guidance for migrants ensuring that people entering the UK can access routine vaccinations.

This information is also available in: Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional) Farsi, Kurdish Sorani, Panjabi, Pashto, Portuguese, Romanian, Romany, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Turkish, Ukrainian and Urdu.

  1. Translated: Every Vaccination Matters leaflet

Kirklees Council have shared translated versions of a leaflet encouraging the uptake of Covid-19 vaccinations on their Kirklees Welcomes blog.

This guidance is also available in Arabic, Farsi, Kurdish Sorani and Tigrinya.

Information Resources

  1. COVID-19 vaccination: British Sign Language resources

BSL video guide to Covid-19 second dose vaccination for 16 and 17 year olds and BSL video guide on waiting after your Covid-19 vaccination have been added to this resource.

  1. Social isolation and social connection across Yorkshire and Humber: the experiences of migrant communities

Migration Yorkshire is working in partnership with the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) on a joint research project that aims to understand how migrants and longstanding communities experience social connections and/or social isolation in their communities.

We are seeking participation from people working with communities in Scarborough, Kirklees, York and Barnsley but encourage involvement from stakeholders across Yorkshire and Humber.

  1. How asylum seekers can get jobs in social care

The organisation Free Movement have published an article detailing how the addition of social care workers to the Health and Care visa and Shortage Occupation List will mean that people who have been waiting over a year for a decision on an asylum claim can apply for permission to work in these roles.

  1. Bridges and deserts: creating a solid foundation for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller civil society

Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) have published a report on the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller civil society micro-sector of the voluntary sector.

  1. Official survey: Revoking vaccination as a condition of deployment across health and social care

The Department of Health and Social Care are seeking views on their intention to revoke provisions which require COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of deployment in health and social care settings.

This consultation is open to the public and closes at: 11:45pm on 16 February 2022.

  1. Improving GP registration and access for migrant health

The British Journal of General Practice has published an editorial calling for more inclusive migrant health care and considering the impacts of COVID-19 on access to primary care for undocumented migrants in particular.

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

If you wish to unsubscribe, please let us know at admin@migrationyorkshire.org.uk

Migrant Info Hub update #52: 29 January – 4 February 2022

Translated Resources

  1. Translated: Guidance for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus

The UK government has updated their guidance for contacts of people with confirmed COVID-19 infection who do not live with the person.

This information is also available in: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Farsi, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi Gurmukhi, Punjabi Shamakhi, Slovak, Somali, Tamil and Urdu.

  1. Translated: A guide to Covid-19 booster vaccinations

UK.Gov have updated their guide to booster vaccinations for people aged 18 years and over, as well as people aged 16 years and over who are at more risk from Covid-19.

This guide is also available in: Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese, Estonian, Farsi, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Latvian, Lithuanian, Panjabi, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Romany, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu and Yiddish.

A guide to booster vaccination for young people aged 16 years and over and those aged 12 years and over who are at risk is available in:

Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese, Estonian, Farsi, French, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Latvian, Lithuanian, Panjabi, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Romany, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu and Yiddish.

  1. Translated: Vaccination leaflets and posters for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding (updated)

UK.Gov have updated their information leaflet: COVID-19 vaccination: a guide for women of childbearing age, pregnant or breastfeeding.

Also available in: Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese, Estonian, Farsi, French, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Latvian, Lithuanian, Panjabi, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Romany, Russian, Somali, Spanish Tagalog, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu and Yiddish.

A British Sign Language video, a Braille version, English large print version and an audio version are available.

  1. Translated: Access to Work: factsheet for customers

The Department for Work and Pensions have created a factsheet explaining how Access to Work can provide practical and financial support to help you overcome barriers to starting or keeping a job if you have a disability or long term physical or mental health condition.

This information and factsheet is also available in Welsh and there are videos in BSL.

Information Resources

  1. Covid-19: advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents

The Home Office have updated their Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents.

The ‘If you’re in the UK’ section has been amended, updating the exceptional assurance visa or leave expiry date to 31 March 2022.

The section ‘If you are in the UK but your Entry Clearance was not activated due to COVID-19 restrictions’ has been removed as the concession is no longer available.

  1. Official travel guidance – for people arriving in, and travelling from England

The UK Government has updated their guidance for people travelling to England.

The rules around international travel to England will change from 11th February.

  1. Coronavirus and the social impacts on disabled people in Great Britain report

The Office of National Statistics have published a report, based on data from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey: Coronavirus and the social impacts on disabled people in Great Britain: March 2020 to December 2021

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
  • If you wish to unsubscribe, please let us know at admin@migrationyorkshire.org.uk

Migrant Info Hub update #49: 18 December 2021-14 January 2022

Translated Resources

  1. Translated: Official – How to take a home PCR test

The UK government have updated their Covid-19 PCR home test kit instructions.

An easy-read version is available in: English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi (India), Punjabi (Pakistan), Polish, Romanian, Slovenian, Spanish, Somali, Urdu, and Welsh.

The updated guidance is also available in Video – English, Digital Braille – English , Digital Braille – Welsh, Audio – English (available to download), Audio – Welsh, Large Print – English, Large Print – Welsh and Giant print – English.

  1. Translated: What your NHS Covid Pass letter tells you

The UK Health Security Agency has issued guidance on the types of NHS Covid Pass letters available.

This information is available in Easy Read, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Lithuanian, Nepali, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Spanish and Urdu.

  1. Translated: Covid-19 rapid lateral flow test instructions: SureScreen

The UK Health Security Agency has produced guidance on how to do a SureScreen rapid nose-only test for COVID-19 and report the results. This test is only for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19.

This guidance is available in Easy Read, Large Print, Video, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese Simplified, Dari, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Pashto, Punjabi Gurmukhi, Punjabi Shahmukhi, Polish, Romanian, Slovak, Somali, Turkish, Welsh and Urdu.

Information Resources

  1. Booster jab and Covid Pass briefing for people not registered with a GP / lacking an NHS number

Doctors of the World have collated resources to help organisations supporting migrants navigate the latest announcement with regards to the Covid Pass and the booster jab.

  1. Learning English survey for HongKongers settling in Yorkshire and Humber

Migration Yorkshire has launched an anonymous survey on Learning English on our Hong Kong hub in order to support local provision planning for new arrivals, and ensure that English learning needs are met.

  1. Find help and support if you have Long Covid

The Department of Health and Social Care have collated resources to assist people affected by Long Covid, including medical and financial support.

  1. Guidance for international students on travel, vaccines and visa concessions

The Department for Education have issued a letter giving guidance to international students about travel, vaccines and visa concessions.

Universities UK has also provided a check list for higher education providers to ensure students can be supported in isolation.

  1. Guidance for providers of accommodation for asylum seekers during Covid-19

Public Health England have provided guidance for all staff involved in the support of asylum seekers in all accommodation settings, which has been updated:

  • to reflect changes to testing requirements for incoming travellers to England.
  • to reflect changes to the self-isolation advice for people who have received a positive COVID-19 test result.
  1. Covid-19: advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents

The Home Office have updated the advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents.

  • The deadline to provide specified documents has been extended to 31 March 2022.
  • The temporary concession for coronavirus (COVID-19) related research has ended.
  • People in receipt of an endorsement from a Global Talent endorsing body who have not been able to apply for a visa within the 3-month deadline due to Covid-19 related reasons, may still be eligible.
  1. Guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection

UK.Gov have updated their guidance for households with a possible Covid-19 infection, including a summary of changes and an infographic on how to prevent the spread of Covid in the home.

Training and Events

  1. JCWI report launch – Undocumented migrants facing Covid in a hostile environment

The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants are launching a report based on interviews with undocumented migrants, exploring some of the systemic issues they have faced as a result of the UK’s Hostile Environment policies.

Sign up to join the free Zoom launch event on Tuesday 18 January 2022 from 6.00 – 7.30 pm         for a panel discussion chaired by Clive Lewis MP.

  1. Migrant Aspiration Programme from Migrants’ Rights Network

The Migrant Aspiration Programme (MAP) is a free 4 month online training course created for anyone who has lived experience of migration and the hostile environment. MAP is for people who are looking to lead and make a difference in their community. Training will run from April – July and the application deadline is the beginning of February.

  1. Online launch of maternity resource pack from City of Sanctuary

City of Sanctuary UK are holding an online launch of their first ever Maternity Resource pack on Thursday 27th January at 11:00.

Migrant Info Hub update #48: 11 – 17 December 2021

Translated Resources

  1. Translated: Omicron statement from the WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released an update on the coronavirus variant Omicron, which has been translated into the following languages: Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), French, Spanish and Russian.

The statement covers the following topics:

  • Current knowledge about Omicron, including its transmissibility and severity of disease
  • Effectiveness of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection
  • Effectiveness of vaccines
  • Effectiveness of current tests
  • Effectiveness of current treatments
  • Studies underway
  • Recommendations for countries (and their populations)
  1. Translated: Personal protective equipment (PPE) guidance for unpaid carers

The UK Health Security Agency have published guidance outlining personal protective equipment (PPE) advice for unpaid carers who do not live with the person they care for.

This leaflet is available to download or order in the following languages:       AlbanianArabicBengaliBrazilianPortugueseBulgarianChineseEstonianFarsiGreekGujaratiHindiLatvianLithuanianPanjabiPashtoPolishRomanianRomanyRussianSomaliSpanishTagalogTurkishTwiUkrainianUrdu and Yiddish.

  1. Translated: Guidance for funerals and commemorative events

UK Gov guidance for funerals and commemorative events during the coronavirus pandemic has been updated to reflect changes in guidance on face coverings and the introduction of the NHS COVID Pass.

Available in: English, Easy Read, Arabic, Bengali, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi and Urdu.

Information Resources

  1. Guidance for providers of accommodation for asylum seekers during Covid-19

Public Health England have provided guidance for all staff involved in the support of asylum seekers in all accommodation settings.

This guidance has been updated:

  • to reflect changes to self-isolation requirements for contacts of people who have been identified as a suspected or confirmed case of the Omicron variant of coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • in line with Plan B rule changes on the use of face coverings in indoor settings and changes to advice on self-isolation for contacts, encouraging daily LFD tests.
  1. Prove your COVID-19 status to work at venues or events operating status checks

Following the UK government’s change in rules for anyone attending certain venues on 15th December, the guidance has altered for customer-facing employees whose workplaces operate Covid-19 status checks.

Employees in venues or events where certification applies are strongly advised to be vaccinated or regularly testing.

  1. Face coverings poster for businesses and organisations

The UK government have issued a poster reminding people to wear a face covering when in certain areas, which can be used by organisations to remind the public that they must adhere to this unless they are exempt.

Check the list of settings where face coverings are required.

Migrant Info Hub Update Information

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Migrant Info Hub update 13th – 19th November 2021

Translated Resources

  1. Translated: How to do a coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow test at home

The UK government have compiled translated versions of guidance on how to take a rapid lateral flow test at home.

Also available embedded in the blogpost in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Dari, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Pashto, Polish, Punjabi Gurmukhi, Punjabi Shamakhi, Romanian, Slovak, Somali, Turkish, Urdu and Welsh.

  1. Translated: How to stop the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19)

There is now an Easy Read version of the guidance in English.

  1. Translated: COVID-19 vaccination: resources for children and young people

A leaflet on the second Covid vaccine for 16 – 17 year olds is available to download.

  1. Translated: Vaccination leaflets and posters for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding (updated)

Versions of the easy read leaflet are available in Audio, Braille, English Large print and British Sign Language (video).

  1. COVID-19 Response: Autumn and Winter Plan 2021

The UK government are updating their Autumn and Winter Plan 2021 resources to make them more accessible including an Easy Read version in English.

Information Resources

  1. Tesco and Crisis mobile phone initiative for vulnerable people

Tesco and the homelessness charity Crisis are running an initiative called Reconnect, offering free mobile phones, credit and connectivity to disadvantaged and vulnerable people.

  1. MORRA study request for participation from healthcare services

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust are looking for help in identifying great approaches or services that are supporting good health or good health care for refugees or people seeking asylum around the world. 

They are running the MORRA Study (Moments of Opportunity for Responsive health care for Refugees and people seeking Asylum) and their published protocol provides more detailed information about the research.

  1. Technical article: Analysis of characteristics associated with vaccination uptake

The Office for National Statistics has published a technical article titled ‘Analysis of populations in the UK by likelihood of having received a vaccination against Covid-19 using the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey’‘.

Training and Events

  1. Yorkshire, Humber and the North East Health Stream of Sanctuary Online Event on 24th November 2021

The Yorkshire, Humber and the North East Health Stream of Sanctuary invites you to participate in an online day of events on Wednesday 24th November 2021.

 11am – 12.30pm Improving sanctuary seeker access to NHS services

Specialised services have developed to meet the needs of sanctuary seekers, for example, Primary Care Practices specifically set up for asylum seekers. This stream aims to support City of Sanctuary Groups and Health Practitioners to develop and share good practice in inclusive health care for sanctuary seekers. Round table event chaired by City of Sanctuary UK Trustee Jeff Morgan.

1.30pm – 3.00pm Mental health – issues and experiences of people seeking sanctuary – things that work (and things that don’t work) 

Mental health and well-being are big issues for many people seeking sanctuary, made worse by the many impacts of the hostile environment. In this session we will look at some of the problems people face in getting help for mental distress and trauma and explore ideas for making things better.

Migrant Info Hub update 6th- 12th November 2021

 Translated Resources

  1. Translated: Official COVID-19 lateral flow home test kit instructions for throat and nose test

Now available in English, Easy Read, Large Print, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Dari, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Pashto, Polish, Punjabi (Indian), Punjabi Shamakhi, Romanian, Slovak, Somali, Turkish, Urdu and Welsh.

  1. Translated: A guide to Covid-19 booster vaccinations

This guide is available in the following languages: Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Chinese, Estonian, Farsi, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Latvian, Lithuanian, Panjabi, Pashto, Polish, Romanian, Romany, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu and Yiddish.

It can be accessed via English large print, a Braille version to order, an Audio version to download and British Sign Language video.

  1. Translated: What to expect after your Covid-19 vaccination

Available in leaflet form in EnglishBraille and Large Print (available to order) Easy Read, AlbanianAmharicArabicBengaliBulgarianChineseEstonianGreekGujaratiHindiKurdishLatvianLithuanianPanjabiPolishPortuguese BrazilianRussianTwiUkrainian and Urdu.

Available as a video in British Sign Language and as an Audio download.

  1. Translated: COVID-19 vaccination: resources for children and young people

Covid-19 vaccination guide for children and young people aged 12 – 17 available as an audio version to download, a Braille version to be ordered and a British Sign Language video .

Vaccination consent form for children available as a British Sign Language (BSL) video, an audio version  to download and a Braille version to order.

Information Resources

  1. Guidance for people vaccinated under WHO Emergency Use Listing and under 18s

Gov.UK have issued a travel update explaining changes to legislation coming into force at 4am on Monday 22 November 2021, including simplified travel rules for all under-18s coming to England and anyone vaccinated with vaccines on the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use Listing.

Weekly Migrant Info Hub update 30th October- 5th November 2021

Translated Resources

  1. Translated: antibody test kit – guides in different languages

UK.Gov Step-by-step guide available in different languages on how to take your coronavirus (COVID-19) antibody test. Available in: Bangla, Chinese, simplified, Gujarati, Polish, Punjabi, Urdu, Welsh

  1. Translated: Guidance for funerals and commemorative events

Information for people who are involved in arranging or attending a funeral or commemorative event Available in: English, Arabic, Bengali, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu

  1. Translated: Guidance on protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable

Available in: English, large print, easy read, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Nepali, Polish, Portuguese, Urdu

  1. Translated: letter to patients on end of shielding programme

Available in English, large print, easy read,  audio, BSL, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Nepali, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu

  1. Translated: safer travel guidance for passengers

Available in: English, English Easy Read, Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi (Pakistan), Polish, Romanian, Slovenian, Somali, Urdu, Welsh

  1. Translated -lateral flow test kit instructions: ACON Flowflex nose only test

Translated guidance for people testing without symptoms. Available in English, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Mandarin, Punjabi (Pakistan), Punjabi (India), Polish, Pashto, Romanian, Slovenian, Somali, Turkish, Urdu, Welsh

  1. Translated – Therapeutic Health (IAHC) Communication Card

Translated tool to support access to healthcare Albanian, Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Tigrinya.

  1. Translated – rapid lateral flow test kit instructions: “Orient Gene” nose only tests

Translated instructions on testing for asymptomatic people available in English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (simplified), Dari, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi (India), Punjabi (Pakistan), Polish, Pashto, Romanian, Slovenian, Somali, Turkish, Urdu, Welsh

  1. Translated: Official COVID-19 lateral flow nose-only test kit instructions

Step-by-step guide on how to do a COVID-19 rapid nose-only test at home for yourself (or a child) and report the results.

Information Resources

  1. Communicating with speakers of Farsi

A useful guide designed for volunteers, but useful to anyone connecting with people from Afghanistan

  1. 5 Films: Healthcare for refugees: Where are the gaps and how do we help?

Refugee Council have produced 5 video films to share learning and good practice based on their experience of delivering the HARP project

  • Film 1 – It is different over here: access to healthcare in the UK.
  • Film 2 – Experiencing the asylum process in the UK and impact on health.
  • Film 3 – Access to health for people seeking protection in the UK.
  • Film 4 – The right to be understood: the importance of interpreting.
  • Film 5 – Experts by Experience.
  1. Maternity guides for women on asylum support

Refugee Council have produced maternity guides for women on asylum support It explains the healthcare services and financial support available during pregnancy and after birth.5 November 2021

  1. Refugee Council’s policy note on health barriers

Refugee Council’s policy note on health barriers outlines the main issues their clients are experiencing when they access health services, including issues arising in the course of the Covid-19 pandemic. 5 November 2021

  1. The impact of the pandemic on Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities

The Annual report from Friends, Families and Travellers covers the impact of the pandemic on Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

  1. Information about ordering technology for remote education

UK Gov added information about ordering tech to their get help with technology for remote education page

  1. Report: No viable alternatives: Social (in)security and the risk of labour exploitation during Covid 19

FLEX have published No viable alternatives: Social (in)security and the risk of labour exploitation during Covid-19. This report is the result of a partnership between FLEX, the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) and United Voices of the World (UVW).

  1. Supporting the Roma community through Covid-19 report

The Roma Support Group has produced this report on lessons learned from the pandemic for engaging effectively with the Roma community.

  1. Webinar for midwives and health staff working with Afghan women

A webinar covering access to housing, support and primary care for Afghan women who are pregnant or new mothers will be held on 16th November 10:30-12:00.

Weekly Migrant Info Hub update 23 -29 October 2021

Translated Resources

  1. Translated: Videos and leaflets in Tigrinya on NHS health checks and vaccines

TS4SE have shared animated videos in Tigrinya and English covering NHS annual health checks, Covid-19 vaccines and flu vaccines. There are also accompanying Tigrinya leaflets on health checks and vaccines.

2. Translated: Vaccination leaflets and posters for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding (updated)

The easy read leaflet is now available in Braille, English Large print and British Sign Language (video).

3. Translated: Official COVID-19 lateral flow nose-only test kit instructions

These lateral flow test instructions are now available in Dari and Pashto.

Information Resources

  1. Supporting the Roma community through Covid-19 report

Roma Support Group conducted a questionnaire between February and April 2021 to assess how the Covid-19 pandemic had affected the daily lives of their clients, and whether they were able to access support when needed.

Their report includes good practice recommendations on public health engagement and adapting existing support to changing community needs.

2. Official travel guidance – for people arriving in, and travelling from England

The government is continuously updating their guidance for people travelling to England.

People who qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England can book a lateral flow test for use from 24 October instead of a PCR test.

Weekly Migrant Info Hub update 9 -15 October 2021

Updated Translated Resources

1. Translated: COVID-19 vaccination: resources for children and young people

The UK.Gov leaflet Covid-19 vaccination: a guide for eligible children and young people aged 12 to 17 is now available in Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Chinese, Estonian, Farsi, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Latvian, Lithuanian, Panjabi, Pashto, Polish, Romanian, Romany, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu and Yiddish.

A Braille version of the Covid-19 vaccination for children and young people aged 12 – 15 years can be ordered.

2. Translated: Vaccination leaflets and posters for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding (updated)

The pregnancy information poster is also available in Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Chinese, Estonian, Farsi, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Latvian, Lithuanian, Panjabi, Pashto, Polish, Romanian, Romany, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu and Yiddish.

The pregnancy social media cards have also been translated into the following languages: Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Chinese, Estonian, Farsi, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Latvian, Lithuanian, Panjabi, Pashto, Polish, Romanian. Romany, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tagalog, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu and Yiddish.

3.Translated: Leeds City Council’s Covid Toolkit

The leaflet ‘Why We Think You Should Say Yes To The Covid 19 vaccine’ has been translated into the following languages: Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Czech, Farsi, Kurdish Sorani, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Slovak, Tigrinya and Urdu.

Audio versions of the leaflet are available for each of those languages.

Information Resources

1. Culture, spirituality and religion: migrant health guide

Public Health England have published comprehensive guidance for healthcare practitioners on the ways in which culture, spirituality and religion impact the health needs of migrant patients.

2. Updated: Guidance for providers of accommodation for asylum seekers during Covid19

Public Health England have provided general guidance for all staff involved in the support of asylum seekers in all accommodation settings including new sections on initial and contingency accommodation and dispersal accommodation.

3. Updated: ‘Caring for vulnerable migrant women’ – guide for midwives and maternity support workers

The Royal College of Midwives have published an article which highlights the barriers pregnant migrant women face when accessing healthcare.

A related report by Maternity Action on migrant charging, entitled ‘Breach of Trust – A review of implementation of the NHS charging programme in maternity services in England’ calls for the immediate suspension of charging for NHS maternity care given the deterrent effect on women’s access to care.

Training and Events

1. Call for migrant participants in “Routes: new ways to talk about Covid for better health” research atTheLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

“We would like to talk to migrant workers to understand their experiences of COVID and the pandemic response, because they are not always well served by healthcare services. We are particularly interested in talking to migrant workers in precarious jobs (e.g. zero hours contracts, informal economy).

Please circulate information about our project among your networks to see if there might be migrant workers interested in either being interviewed for about an hour or participating in a group discussion. We will pay £40 per interview, or £40 for participation in a group discussion, as cash or a voucher. If anyone from organisations supporting migrant workers would like to participate as a key informant, please let us know and we can discuss how that might work too. We do have some funds to support organisational involvement.

We know it’s important to work directly with communities to understand what type of research needs to be done, and that’s why we want to speak to community members and community organisations at every stage. We are funded by DHSC (Department of Health and Social Care) but we are independent and are not part of health services.

You can contact us at depth@lshtm.ac.uk if you would like more information”

2. Free workshop: The community response to COVID-19 & vaccine roll-out

A workshop from the Health Creation Alliance taking place on Thursday 4th, Tuesday 16th and Tuesday 30th November, 14:00-15:30, aimed at NHS staff and those working in partnership with them.

This Zoom training aims to draw on the learning from COVID-19 and vaccines to improve understanding of how the NHS can work with local communities to address health inequalities among marginalised communities, particularly asylum seekers, refugees and homeless people.

Weekly Migrant Info Hub update 18 July-24 September 2021

Updated Translated Resources

1.Translated: Face coverings: when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make one

Gov.UK have updated their face covering guidance for September 2021 to demonstrate:

  • When to wear a face covering
  • How to make your own face covering
  • How to show an exemption from wearing one
  • Links to printable exemption cards

The guidance is available in: English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese and Urdu

New Information Resources

1. Direct and indirect health impacts of Covid-19 in England

The Department of Health and Social Care and Office for National Statistics have prepared a paper on the direct and indirect health impacts of Covid-19 between March 2020 and Spring 2021.

A short version of the paper (18 pages) was published on 9th September 2021.

2. Covid-19 Transmission in Hotels and Managed Quarantine Facilities

A paper prepared by the Environmental Modelling Group (EMG), EMG Transmission Group, and SPI-B on transmission in Managed Quarantine Facilities (MQFs).

It provides analysis of current evidence and understanding of the COVID-19 transmission risks associated with hotels and MQFs, to understand whether there are risk factors specific to hotels.

3. Guidance for unaccompanied students under 18 travelling to England from a red list country

Gov.UK has published guidance on where higher education and further education students can quarantine if they arrive in England from a red list country.

Students aged 18 or above must follow the standard quarantine rules for red list arrivals.

4. Migration health research in the United Kingdom: A scoping review

A review of migrant health research has been published, outlining trends in research in the last couple of decades and setting out recommendations for the future research agenda.

Weekly Migrant Info Hub update 11th -17th September 2021

Leeds City Council’s Communications department are currently setting up a Winter Response group, which will co-ordinate communications on Covid-19 and various other interlinked issues around Winter and health.

To ensure the Communities toolkit remains relevant, they would like volunteers to complete this 5-minute survey to highlight your needs and indicate how you’re using/have used the toolkit:

The latest iteration of the toolkit includes:

  • Two new government items (Vaccines Toolkit by the Cabinet Office and Back to Schools/Colleges guidance by the Dept of Education)
  • Links to social media artwork displaying vaccination locations for 16-17 year olds

Updated Translated Resources

  1. Translated: How to stop the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) – updated

Gov.UK have updated their guidance on how everyone can help stop the spread of coronavirus in line with the latest Step 4 guidance and the government’s plan for Autumn/Winter 2021.

Also available in: Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Polish, Punjabi (Indian), Punjabi (Pakistani), Slovak, Somali, Urdu and Welsh.

2. Translated: Guidance on protecting medically extremely vulnerable people (updated)

New guidance for people in England who have been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable from coronavirus (COVID-19).

This updated guidance is now available in: Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), French, Gujarati, Hindi, Nepali, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi and Urdu.

New Information Resources

  1. Barriers to Wellbeing – report into unmet healthcare in migrant communities

The University of Birmingham has published a report into Doctors Of The World’s casework, proving significant unmet healthcare needs and an evident digital divide in migrant patients during the first wave of the pandemic.

 Key findings from the report

  • The average number of consultations per month dropped drastically from approximately 170 before the pandemic to 50 during the pandemic
  • Service users were much more likely to find themselves in inadequate housing
  • Significant barriers to GP registration remained
  • Percentage of undocumented service users decreased, while the percentage of asylum seekers increased.
  • There was a significant increase in service users reporting ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ health

2. Covid-19: easy read vaccine resources for young people with learning disabilities

Gov.UK have produced an easy read guide for children and young people (aged 12-15) with learning disabilities, explaining what they can expect when they receive their Covid-19 vaccination. Additionally, a Coronavirus vaccine consent form for young people is available.

3. Covid-19 vaccination: resources for children and young people

The UK government has published guidance on Covid-19 vaccination for eligible children and young people aged 12 – 17.

4. A guide to Covid-19 booster vaccinations

Following the news that people aged 50 years and over, health and social care workers and younger people at risk are being offered a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine this autumn, the UK government have published a guide to booster vaccinations.

Weekly Migrant Info Hub update 25 September-1 October 2021

Updated Translated Resources

1.Translated: Official – How to take a home Covid test

The UK government have expanded their range of translations for their COVID-19 PCR home test kit instructions.

Now available in: English, Easy Read, Large Print, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi (India), Punjabi (Pakistan), Polish, Slovenian, Somali, Urdu, Welsh

Free online BSL interpretation services for the NHS are also available.

2. Translated: Antibody test kits

Guides for taking the antibody test have been translated into the following languages: Bangla, Chinese (Simplified), Gujarati, Polish, Punjabi, Urdu and Welsh.

New Information Resources

1. ‘Caring for vulnerable migrant women’ – guide for midwives and maternity support workers

The Royal College of Midwives has produced ‘Caring for vulnerable migrant women’ which is a pocket guide for midwives and maternity support workers, covering a range of topics.

2. Hardship arrangements for those unable to pay for managed quarantine or testing

The UK government has published guidance on financial support for people who cannot afford the managed quarantine and testing fees associated with ‘essential travel’ to the UK during the pandemic.

3. Migrant Health Guide: countries A-Z

The UK government has updated its migrant health advice and guidance on prevalence of communicable diseases and other health topics from different countries.

Migrant Health – Weekly update

  1. Migrant Health Guide

Lots of updates to the Migrant Health Guide. The following pages have major updates:

Communicable disease pages have also been updated with new prevalence statistics and guidance on testing and management:

Country pages that have been updated this week:

  1. Digital exclusion and health inequalities

To support the Health Foundation’s COVID-19 impact inquiry, Good Things Foundation, the Health Foundation and the King’s Fund joined to convene a diverse group of people with a shared interest in tackling digital exclusion and health inequalities. The workshop was also an opportunity to make and strengthen connections, and share experience on promising approaches, opportunities and how to achieve sustained and inclusive change. Their paper gives an overview of digital exclusion and its relationship to health, social and economic aspects of people’s lives; who is affected; how the pandemic has impacted on this; and what responses we have seen.

  1. Report on migration and vulnerability during the pandemic

A new report on migration and vulnerability during the pandemic was produced as part of the University of Birmingham Vulnerable Migrants’ Wellbeing Project led by Professor Jenny Phillimore (and funded by the Nuffield Foundation and ESRC IAA). The report, which shows significant unmet healthcare needs and deep digital divide in migrant patients during first wave of the pandemic, draws on Doctors of the World’s anonymised service users’ data at the height of the first wave of the pandemic. Amongst the key findings of the report:

  • The average number of consultations per month dropped drastically from approximately 170 before the pandemic to 50 during the pandemic
  • Service Users were much more likely to find themselves in inadequate housing
  • Significant barriers to GP registration remained
  • Percentage of undocumented service users decreased, while the percentage of asylum seekers increased.
  • There was a significant increase in service users reporting ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ health.

Weekly Migrant Info Hub update 14th -20th August 2021

Migration Yorkshire has launched the Migration news roundup for anyone interested in migration but without lots of time to search for news.

The roundup is a new, weekly service drawing together news items on migration, covering policy, immigration law, individual stories, research and statistics, mainly relating to the UK but also with a snapshot of overseas stories.

New Translated Resources

  1. Translated: Change in vaccination guidance for people working or deployed in care homes

GOV.UK have announced that from 11 November 2021, anyone working or volunteering in a care home will need to be fully vaccinated against coronavirus (COVID-19), unless exempt.

Available in: English, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Farsi, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Kurdish (Sorani), Nepali, Polish, Punjabi (Indian), Romanian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish, Ukrainian and Urdu.

1.Translated: Guidance on protecting medically extremely vulnerable people

New guidance has been created for people in England who have been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable from coronavirus (COVID-19).

This guidance is now available in: Audio, BSL, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), French, Gujarati, Hindi, Nepali, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi and Urdu.

2.Translated: Guidance on protecting medically extremely vulnerable people

New guidance has been created for people in England who have been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable from coronavirus (COVID-19). This guidance is now available in: Audio, BSL, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), French, Gujarati, Hindi, Nepali, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi and Urdu.

3.Translated: Covid vaccine information for people without an NHS number

Public Health England and the NHS have issued a guidance letter to help those without an NHS number obtain a vaccine and register with a GP.

This is available in Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese, Czech, Estonian, Farsi, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese Brazilian, Punjabi, Romani, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, and Urdu.

4.Translated: Workplace rights during pregnancy and maternity leave

Maternity Action have published comprehensive guidance for parents during pregnancy and maternity leave regarding workplace rights, pay and redundancy.

Individual translations available in Chinese (Simplified), Filipino, French, Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian and Spanish via the main page.

Information Resources

1.Vaccine Confidence Toolkit

Doctors of the World have kindly shared their Vaccine Confidence Toolkit, a resource aimed at assisting community leaders in encouraging people to take up the vaccine.

The toolkit includes Vaccine Confidence slides and speaker notes and will soon be available in 5 community languages.

PHE resources – Migrant Health Team

Animations aimed at healthcare professionals in England

The Public Health England National Migrant Health Team have produced two animations:

Clarifying NHS entitlements for migrants , which consists of six short sections:

  • Section 1- Introduction to Entitlements for Migrants
  • Section 2- Karman’s Story (case study provided by Doctors of the World)
  • Section 3- NHS Entitlements to Primary Care in England
  • Section 4- NHS Entitlements to Secondary Care in England
  • Section 5- Dental Treatment for Migrants in England
  • Section 6- Assessing New Patients from Overseas

Keeping up to date with vaccinations for migrants.

These animated resources address recommendations arising from a stakeholder engagement exercise to improve the Migrant Health Guide NHS entitlements page, done in 2019, which asked for more clarity about NHS entitlements and to adopt a more culturally sensitive approach. These outputs will also complement a suite of PHE and NHSE/I COVID-19 vaccination resources (for the general public) being made available to mitigate vaccination inequalities.

The animations aim to dispel fears of being charged for free NHS services, supports PHE’s role in reducing health inequalities by clarifying entitlements to healthcare and upholds the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Doctors of the World social prescribing resources to support migrants

New DOTW guidance on how social prescribing workers can support migrants.

COVID-19 translated advice and guidance is available on the PHE Migrant Health Guide here

PHE COVID-19 guidance collection page for the general public includes translated versions here

The updated guidance for accommodation providers of asylum seeker accommodation was published on Fri 23rd July here. The guidance is aimed at all staff involved in providing support to asylum seekers in all accommodation settings.

Weekly Migrant Info Hub update 31July-6 August 2021

New Translated Resources

  1. Translated: Migrant health guide resources (updated)

The IOM have developed some multilingual information on Covid-19 measures and support on the following topics:

Health and Covid-19

Work and Covid-19

Benefits, Support and Covid-19

Visa, Immigration and Covid-19

Housing, Homelessness and Covid-19

Each of these are available in English, Albanian, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish and Vietnamese

The British Society of Immunologyhave translated some of their educational resources on immunity, COVID-19 and vaccines into different languages, including a guide to vaccines for Covid-19, a page of public engagement resources and their Celebrate Vaccines infographics.

These are available in English (see above), Arabic, Spanish and Yiddish.

UK.Gov have updated their information leaflet: COVID-19 vaccination: a guide for women of         childbearing age, pregnant or breastfeeding.

Available in: Easy Read, Large Print, BSL, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese,    Estonian, Farsi, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Panjabi, Portuguese Brazilian, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian and Urdu.

A Braille version of the leaflet is also available to order.

A set of 4 posters and social media cards encouraging vaccine uptake among pregnant women are available for download only – by logging into this NHS England website.

Public Health England have issued translations of their comprehensive stay at home guidance for anyone with symptoms of coronavirus. This also applies to anyone who is asymptomatic but is waiting for results of a PCR test.

If you have received one or more doses of COVID-19 vaccine

If you have COVID-19 symptoms or have received a positive COVID-19 test result

If you take part in asymptomatic testing

If you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19

Household members who have received one or more doses of COVID-19 vaccine

This guidance is available in: Easy read, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi and Urdu.

Information Resources

  1. National Tutoring Programme

The Department for Education have published a policy paper on the National Tutoring Programme (NTP), a scheme started in 2020 to provide support for pupils and students most affected by disruption to their education as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Further information about the programme can be found on the NTP website.

Information from Acas on how sickness and absence policies apply when an employee is off work with Long Covid.

The Department for Education has now updated its guidance to reflect recent changes in provision for free school meals to some groups of NRPF migrants previously excluded. These include families:

  • Refused asylum but in receipt of section 4 support
  • Granted leave to remain as ‘Zambrano carers’
  • Granted leave to remain under Article 8 ECHR
  • Supported under section 17 Children Act 1989 and who have ‘no recourse to public funds’. 

4.    Local guidance and support in Yorkshire and Humber

Links to local information around Covid-19 and the support available locally in Yorkshire and Humber.

Training and Research

  1. Free racial inequalities training from the Race Equality Network

The West Yorkshire and Harrogate Race Equalities Network has launched a free package of online racial inequalities training.

The aim of the training is to educate and raise awareness of the ongoing racial injustice and everyday discrimination faced by colleagues from ethnic minorities across our diverse communities.

The voices and experiences of the Race Equality Network members from ethnic minorities have shaped the purpose and content of the training.

Weekly Migrant Info Hub update 24 July-30 July 2021

Solace have a vacancy for a Children and Families therapist (closing date Monday 23rd August) and are looking for trustees with lived experience of the asylum process or being a refugee. Please share with your networks.

New Translated Resources

  1. Translated: How to stop the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) – updated

The guidance has been updated now that England has moved to Step 4 of the roadmap out of lockdown.

This is available in: English, Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Polish, Punjabi (Indian), Punjabi (Pakistani), Slovak, Somali, Urdu and Welsh.

Covid-19 Infographics have produced useful pictorial representations of what has changed.

Available in: English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Romanian, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Turkish and Yoruba.

Gov.UK and the Department of Health and Social Care have produced a leaflet of guidance on how to care for someone when they leave hospital.

The leaflet is available in English, Easy read, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Gujarati, French, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish and Urdu.

Information Resources

1. Research: The Lived Experience of Disabled People During the Covid-19 pandemic

 From July to September 2020, the Cabinet Office Disability Unit commissioned the Policy Lab to conduct ethnographically-led research into the experiences of disabled people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 Key findings from each chapter have been highlighted on our post.

 2. Updated: Guidance on protecting medically extremely vulnerable people

As restrictions have been eased following the move to Step 4 of the roadmap, the UK government are advising clinically extremely vulnerable people, as a minimum, to follow the same guidance as everyone else.

Available in Audio, BSL and Large Print.

This guidance is about NHS entitlements in England and is aimed at healthcare practitioners needing to support migrant patients.

Public Health England have provided general guidance for all staff involved in the support of asylum seekers in all accommodation settings. They have updated and restructured their guidance in line with changes in Step 4 of the roadmap.

The government has issued guidance for anyone who provides unpaid care for a friend or family member in England.

Updated in line with changes in Step 4 of the roadmap.

This has been updated with a handy tool for finding an existing NHS number and a letter to help people without an NHS number access the COVID-19 vaccine and register with a GP.

 

Weekly Migrant Info Hub update 17 July-23 July 2021

New Translated Resources

 

1.    Translated: Official letter in Arabic explaining Covid-19 vaccine rollout to higher risk children

North Yorkshire County Council have kindly shared a translated letter in English and Arabic which explains the UK government’s decision to offer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to children aged 12 and above who are at increased risk of serious coronavirus.

Information Resources

  1. Updated: Official Coronavirus advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents

From 19th July the concession for people outside the UK whose leave has expired before they are were able to return, ended.

Gov.UK has updated the following guidance for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents:

Following the progression to Step 4 of the roadmap, this guidance is for everyone in England who has been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable from coronavirus (COVID-19).

This guidance has been updated to reflect Step 4 roadmap changes. Translations and easy read guidance have temporarily been removed while being updated.

Gov.UK have produced new guidance around safety in places of worship from 19th July onwards including a summary of changes from 19th July.

Gov.UK has updated their guidance for people entering England from other countries, using the traffic light system of red, amber and green.

The UK government has issued public health information to protect the public and stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). This includes public health advice and coronavirus-related duties for entering    and staying within England.

Gov.UK have created an overview of NHS Test and Trace, including what happens if you test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) or have had close contact with someone who has tested positive.

The UK government have issued guidance on how to get the NHS COVID Pass and demonstrate your coronavirus (COVID-19) status when travelling abroad and domestically at events and venues in England.

The Home Office has confirmed that as of 19th July 2021 negative cessations will resume meaning that anyone who has had a negative decision on their asylum claim can now have their support discontinued.  All recipients on support whether on section 4 or section 95 support will receive 21 days notice of their support ending.

  1.  Research finds gaps in bereavement support for people from diverse communities

  A report has been published by Leeds and Sheffield universities on UK bereavement care for ethnic minority communities.

The paper, Bereavement care for ethnic minority communities: A systematic review of access to, models of, outcomes from, and satisfaction with, service provision, is published in PLOS ONE.

  1.  Safe Surgeries initiative combatting GP practice refusal to register undocumented migrants

  The Bureau of Investigative Journalism and Channel 4 have reported that almost 80% of GP practices are refusing to register undocumented patients with a migrant background.

  The #HandsUpForOurHealth coalition, which includes Doctors of the World is campaigning on this issue. As part of this they highlight the Safe Surgeries initiative – a network GP practices can join.

   For more information, contact safesurgeries@doctorsoftheworld.org.uk

  1.   Report: Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Structural Vulnerabilities, Resilience and Migrant Communities-led responses to COVID-19 in West Yorkshire

Racial Justice Network, with the support of Queen Mary University of London and University of Huddersfield, have produced this report; “Between a Rock and a Hard Place,” following interviews with      community advocates living in Yorkshire and Humber during Covid 19.

   The report is available in various formats including short-form and video.

Weekly Migrant Info Hub update 14June-18 June 2021

New Translated Resources

 

1.   Translated: ‘I’ve had my Covid vaccine’ video

 

The Leeds Health Partnerships team have produced this video featuring representatives from across a wide range of Leeds communities who have had their Covid vaccine.

Languages featured include English, Arabic, Bengali, BSL, Cantonese, Dari, Farsi, Czech, Irish, French, Hindi, Mandarin, Pashto, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Slovak, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese and Urdu.

To book a vaccination go to www.nhs.uk/book-a-coronavirus-vaccination or call NHS 119.

Information Resources

  1. Access to NHS services for EU citizens after 1st July 2021

Doctors of the World have released a new briefing on the NHS healthcare entitlement of EU citizens, regardless of immigration status.

The briefing identifies three key groups of EU citizens for which NHS healthcare entitlement will differ:

  •  EU citizens who came to the UK before 31/12/20 with status under the EUSS
  • EU citizens who came to the UK before 31/12/20 without status under the EUSS
  • EU citizens who came to the UK after 31/12/20

In the briefing, Doctors of the World have also published results of an online survey taken by both EU citizens and supporting organisations:

• 18% of the participants mentioned encountering issues when applying to the EU Settlement Scheme with a large majority mentioning issues with documentation and the website as the key reasons behind their difficulties

• 5% mentioned being asked to prove their immigration status when registering with a GP

• Amongst those asked to prove their immigration status when accessing hospital care, 22% were then unable to receive treatment due to issues in verifying their status

The Leeds Public Health Resource Centre (PHRC) supports anyone with a responsibility for or interest in improving health and wellbeing in Leeds, including students and volunteers.

The PHRC would like to hear your views on their current services, even if you have never used them before. Your feedback will also help shape their services in the future.

Click this link to take the survey and please feel free to share it with other people you know who are interested in improving health and wellbeing in Leeds.

The survey is live until Monday 17th July.

 

Training, events and research

  1. Free online first aid training for treating sudden cardiac arrest

Following the high profile incident in football earlier this week, St John’s Ambulance service, Joe Humphries Memorial Trust and the Resuscitation Council UK have developed an online training course for treating sudden cardiac arrest, funded by Sport England.

This accessible 30 – 45 minute course is designed for anyone involved in sport or physical activity from players to coaches to spectators.

Participants will have access to the online materials for 12 months after enrolling, in order to keep their SCA first aid skills updated.

Weekly Migrant Info Hub update 31 May-4 June 2021

Updated Translated Resources

  1. Translated: Official – Covid-19 vaccination status letter explained

UK.Gov have published translated versions of a letter explaining how people can prove their vaccination status, for example for travel purposes.

Available in: English, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Cantonese, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Lithuanian, Mandarin, Nepalese, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi (India), Romanian, Spanish, Urdu

 

2.   Translated: Guidance on shielding and protecting extremely vulnerable people

UK.Gov have updated their guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19.

Available in: Arabic, Bengali, French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional) and Urdu.

You can also find the PDF guidance in Large Print, and videos for Audio and BSL.

3.    Translated: Community Connectors share their vaccine experience

#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.

Audio for WhatsApp available in: Albanian, Arabic, Farsi, Kurdish Sorani, Mandarin, Spanish, Somali, Tigrinya, Turkish and Urdu

Videos available in: Arabic, Portuguese, Punjabi and Urdu

4.    Translated: Video – Don’t take lateral flow test if you have symptoms

Ask Doc have added translated videos in Cantonese, Gujarati and Farsi, suggesting that people shouldn’t use lateral flow tests if they have covid symptoms, and explaining what people should do instead.

Available in: English,Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Gujarati, Chinese (Traditional), Romanian and Urdu

Updated Issue Based Resources

  1. Updated: Guidance on applying for Tier 2, 4 and 5 visas

The government has updated their guidance for student sponsors, migrants and short-term students on temporary concessions in response to the outbreak of coronavirus.

Student sponsors should also read the student sponsor guidance which sets out the requirements for education providers wishing to apply for a licence to sponsor international students to come to the UK under the student and child student routes.

Training and Events

The Institute for Research into Superdiversity at the University of Birmingham and Doctors of the World UK are planning an online interactive workshop on the theme of sexual and gender-based violence experienced by forced migrants. 

The purpose of the workshop is to share the findings of the UK SEREDA project, undertaken to understand the nature and incidence of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) experienced by forced migrants residing in the UK, and to work collectively to develop recommendations to help improve the lives of SGBV survivors, build their resilience and reduce vulnerability.  

The online workshop will take place on 23 June from 13.00 to 14.30 using the virtual platform Microsoft Teams. 

You can register for this workshop here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sgbv-and-forced-migration-a-workshop-for-policy-makers-tickets-153450495563