Scholarships, workshops and education mentoring for refugees and asylum seekers

Scholarships and grants:
We’re excited to announce that the suite of scholarships from the Schwab & Westheimer Trust are soon to open at the start of May! Many asylum seekers rely on scholarships to fund their university journey as they do not have access to student finance loans. The Schwab & Westheimer Trust works with other generous donors to offer a range of scholarships including opportunities for students embarking on postgraduate courses, undergraduate dentistry, social work and others! REUK works in partnership with the Trust to ensure that applicants and scholars get all the advice, guidance and pastoral support they need to move towards university. 

for more information about the various type of scholarships and grants please visit the website https://www.swtrust.org.uk/

Educational mentoring:

In 2010, we ran a very small pilot educational mentoring project with ten unaccompanied asylum-seeking children from the College of North West London. 

Now, 13 years on, our educational mentoring programme remains at the heart of our work. Volunteers at REUK provide 1:1 educational mentoring (a combination of tutoring and wellbeing support) for young people across London, the West Midlands, Oxford, Peterborough and Cambridge.

If you are interested in volunteering an hour of your time a week to help a young refugee in your area with their homework or English language skills, click the button below and contact your local mentoring coordinator to get started on your mentoring journey. In next months newsletter, we’ll look at what mentoring means to the young mentees who have been part of REUK’s mentoring programme.

for more information please visit https://www.reuk.org/mentoring

Workshops for young refugees and asylum seekers:

Our Education Welcome team would like to tell you about the workshops they run for young asylum seekers and refugees. If you know or work with somebody who may be interested in attending these sessions, please feel to pass on this information, and if they’re relevant for you do sign up!

(Please note that these particular workshops are for young refugees and asylum seekers. If you’re a teacher, social worker or support young people in another capacity, click here to find out about the training and webinars we can offer you.)

1) Introduction to college for refugees and asylum seekers 

In this workshop we talk about educational institutions in the UK (primary school, secondary school, further education, etc.) and the qualifications you can achieve at each. We will tell you all about possible routes through the English education system up to university and show you how to enrol into a school or college.
The next introduction to college workshop will take place on Tuesday 16th May at 17.30pm (online).

2) Progressing through college for young refugees and asylum seekers 

Are you already studying in college or secondary school in the UK and starting to plan your journey up to university? Then this one’s for you. In this workshop we will talk you through potential college-level courses and options to progress through levels of education up to university. We will also mention potential barriers you may face and ways to overcome them. 
The next progressing through college workshop will take place on Tuesday 30th May at 17.30pm (online). 

3) Access to university for refugees and similar statuses 

If you are feeling ready to study at the university level or have been doing a bachelor’s or master’s in your home country and would like to start one in the UK, this workshop is perfect for you. During this workshop we discuss: eligibility criteria for studying at the university and getting student finance funding for refugees, what qualification levels you need to enter the university in the UK and how to get those qualifications here if you haven’t studied on the same level in your home country. We will also take you through the application process and share additional useful resources. 
The next access to university for refugees and similar statuses workshop will take place on Tuesday 27th June at 17.30pm (online).

4) Access to university for asylum seekers 
This workshop is similar to the one above, except we concentrate more on additional ways to fund your degree, as sadly, asylum seekers are not eligible for student finance support. 
The next access to university for asylum seekers workshop will take place on Tuesday 13th June  at 17.30pm (online).

to book please use the below link

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/refugee-education-uk-reuk-50181658803

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Skills Bootcamp in Service Design and Management with ServiceNow

Over the past 2 years, Refugee Council has worked in partnership with the global technology company, ServiceNow, to support refugees gain employment in the UK IT industry.

ServiceNow is cloud-based platform used across a range of companies – from major brands like PwC and Lloyds Banking Group to smaller tech-start-ups.  The ServiceNow Skills Bootcamp is all about connecting communities under-represented in the tech sector to land meaningful employment and (re)connect to a digital career in the UK.

The course begins with an induction week that will start on Monday 13th March to Friday 17th March (9:30am – 3:30pm every day) for the next virtual Skills Bootcamp in Service Design and Management with ServiceNow delivered by Northeastern University London. 

What participants will gain:

  • A free, 13-week, part-time and flexible online technical Skills Bootcamp delivered by Northeastern University London.
  • Ongoing support with job searching and employability skills through a dedicated 1:1 Employment Advisor at Refugee Council.
  • Upon successful completion, a guaranteed job interview with an industry-relevant employer.
  • Access to complete the ‘ServiceNow Fundamentals Certification’ – an internationally recognised qualification opening up opportunities on the ServiceNow platform.

What we’re looking for:

  • The ability to commit to the 13-week bootcamp starting on Monday 13th March + attending additional tailored employability skills sessions run by the employment team at Refugee Council.
  • A strong commitment to starting or re-starting a career in IT.
  • A current Refugee Status + live in England.
  • Be 19 years of age or over on 1st September 2022.
  • Have a prior level 3 qualification (e.g. A Level, BTEC).
  • Computer literate, able to get online.

If you know anyone who would be interested in finding out more and receiving ongoing employability support from Refugee Council, please get them to complete this expression of interest form.

Northeastern University London will be hosting an Information Events in January and February  – an opportunity to find out more about the upcoming Skills Bootcamp. Attending this Information Session is mandatory to securing a space on Skills Bootcamp through Refugee Council.

Clients can sign up directly here

Please note that there is no guarantee of securing a space on the Skills Bootcamp through Refugee Council and this is subject to availability and a screening call with one of Refugee Council’s Employment Advisors.  

Please share this with any clients who you know are really focused on securing a career in tech/IT!

If you have any questions please contact Laurence (details below) before Wednesday 15th February.

Laurence Hood <Laurence.Hood@RefugeeCouncil.org.uk>

Weekly Migrant Info Hub update 19 – 24 June 2021

New Translated Resources

  1. Translated: (COVID-19) Coronavirus restrictions – what you can and cannot do from 21 June 2021

From 21 June 2021, the government have made some changes to the Covid-19 restrictions.

Full information on all restrictions is available from the Gov.UK website including translations in Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Polish, Punjabi (Gurmukhi), Punjabi (Shahmukhi), Slovak, Somali, Urdu, Welsh and easy read English.

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

Gov.UK have updated guidance on how everyone can help stop the spread of coronavirus, with additional languages now available..

  • Protect yourself and others
  • Keep a safe distance (social distancing)
  • Remember the basics of good hygiene
  • Wear a face covering
  • Let fresh air in (ventilation)
  • Get tested if you have symptoms
  • Self-isolate if you have COVID-19 symptoms or a positive COVID-19 test result
  • Self-isolate if you live with someone or are a contact of someone who has COVID-19
  • Vaccination

Available in: English, Easy read, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, , Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Farsi, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Kurdish, Lithuanian, Nepali, Pahari, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi (Gurmukhi), Punjabi (Shahmukhi), Romanian, Shona, Slovak, Somali, Spanish, Sylheti, Tagalog, Tamil, Tigrinya, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu.

Information Resources

  1. Leeds City Council’s Covid Toolkit

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.

The pack includes various resources which can be downloaded and an overview presentation.

2. Leeds vaccination minibus touring communities from June – August

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.

Training, events and research

  1. Left Behind: Voices of People Excluded From Universal Healthcare Coverage In Europe

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.

 

Weekly Migrant Info Hub update 7June-11 June 2021

New Translated Resources

 

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.

  1. Introduction to the Health System in England: video : leaflet : English
  2. Mental Health: video : leaflet : English
  3. Dental services: video : leaflet : English
  4. Family Planning and Maternity Care : video : leaflet : English
  5. Healthy Lifestyles: video : English (leaflet to come)

 

2.    Translated: What you can do to help stop the spread of coronavirus in the workplace


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.

information leaflets for workers are available in: English, Gujarati, Hungarian, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian and Urdu.

Posters are available in: English, Gujarati, Hungarian, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian and Urdu.

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.

The information is available in: English, Arabic, Bangladeshi, Cantonese, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Lithuanian, Mandarin , Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Spanish, Tamil, Urdu.

Information Resources

  1. Travelling? – Get your vaccination status letter posted from NHS UK

You can now request a COVID-19 vaccination status letter to be posted to you via the NHS UK website.

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

  1. 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.

Public Health England, Midlands Health Inequalities Unit and the University of Leicester are running an event ‘Exploring Service Response to the Mental Health Needs of Refugee Children and Youth’.

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.

Weekly Migrant Info Hub update 4th -7th May 2021

Translated Resources

 

Translated: What to expect after your Covid-19 vaccination

UK.Gov has added information for people who are awaiting their first COVID-19 vaccination to their leaflet collection.

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

British Sign Language videos are available to view, as is this YouTube video in British Sign Language

Translated: 6 key facts about Covid-19 vaccines

Barts Health NHS Trust has produced some translated versions of key facts to help keep people informed about the Covid-19 vaccine.

The information is available in: Arabic, Bangladeshi , Cantonese, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Lithuanian, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Spanish, Tamil and Urdu

Translated: Tourism in the UK and Covid-19

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.

Audio: Arabic, Bulgarian, Turkish

Graphic: Arabic, Bengali, Easy Read English, Farsi , Bulgarian , French , Gujarati , Hungarian , Japanese , Korean , Kurdish Sorani , Lithuanian , Polish , Portuguese , Punjabi , Russian , Spanish , Simplified Chinese , Romanian , Tamil , Thai , Turkish , Urdu , Vietnamese

Video: BSL tourism charter 1 video, BSL tourism charter 2 video

Holidaymaker information – what you need to do if you fall ill with COVID-19 symptoms whilst visiting.

Audio: Arabic audio, Bulgarian holidaymaker audio

Info sheet: Arabic , Bengali , Bulgarian , Farsi , French , Gujarati , Hungarian , Japanese , Korean, Kurdish Sorani , Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese , Punjabi , Romanian , Russian , Simplified Chinese , Spanish , Tamil , Thai , Turkish , Turkish audio, Urdu , Vietnamese

          Information Resources

Updated resources:

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.

The latest Free University Courses information is now available from the Virtual College.

Covid and looking after yourself at home booklets

Leeds Public Health and partners have produced 2 booklets (order via PHRC@leeds.gov.uk)

Community Champions Project micro grants

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.*

Covid-19 Community Champions project

Registration is open for the Covid-19 Community Champions project on Be Collective

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.

You can read more about the role of Community Champions here.

Conference resources: Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Asylum Sector

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

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Opportunity for refugees and asylum seekers to contribute to research on UK public library services

Do you know or work with adult refugees and/or asylum seekers who have lived in the UK for 5 years or fewer? If so, please could you let them know about this opportunity to contribute to an on-going research project within the Centre for Social Informatics by completing a short online questionnaire at tinyurl.com/culturepubliclibraries.

The theme of the questionnaire is public library services and their use by refugee and asylum seeker populations. It is available in 9 languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Swahili, Thai, Turkish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.  There is an option at the end of the questionnaire for participants to volunteer to take part in an online interview to explore further the topic of public library use by newcomers to the UK.

This data collection exercise forms part of PhD student Rachel Salzano’s doctoral study. Rachel‘s research is concerned with the influence of culture on the use of public library resources by refugees and asylum seekers. In collecting and analysing data provided by members of these communities, Rachel hopes to point to ways that public library support for refugees and asylum seekers may be enhanced. Prior research in this area has tended to focus on the analysis of data collected from those who provide such services, e.g. public librarians. Rachel’s study is valuable because she is examining the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers themselves.

Thanks to everyone who can help alert these hard-to-reach communities of Rachel’s questionnaire at tinyurl.com/culturepubliclibraries.

for more information please visit:

Opportunity for refugees and asylum seekers to contribute to research on UK public library services | Hazel Hall

WEA-Summer online courses

The WEA has lunched a series of summer online training including courses to develop English language and functional skills.

In addition, there’s an online Level 1 Community Interpreting Initial Assessment. The online Initial Assessment for the Community Interpreting course is on the 19/4 at 10:00.

Students will be required to accept their course in Canvas (the WEA learning platform) when they receive the link. They also be need to watch a brief video (in Canvas) which explains how to do the initial assessment tasks. The tasks have to be completed before students attend the initial assessment on 19/4.

click here for flyer and brochure