An “unbelievable” number of Derby asylum seekers asked for help in the run-up to Christmas – to such a degree that volunteers have been left shocked.
Derbyshire Refugee Solidarity chairman Steve Cooke says that in the region of 247 new people have registered at their twice-weekly sessions in the past 10 weeks – four or five times more than the charity has experienced previously, which puts pressure on resources and supplies.
Derbyshire Live visited a session just before Christmas and unexpectedly walked into the charity’s “busiest day ever”, with around 150 people packing into the Thursday morning session at St Anne’s Church Hall in Whitecross Street- even volunteers could not believe just how many people had turned up.
The place was full of people taking language classes, working with volunteers, having bikes repaired or being given donations of trainers or clothing. Volunteers did their best to give time to each and every person but the exceptional numbers made it difficult and it was clear that many needed help with their asylum seeker applications and wanted to speak to solicitors about their situations.
Previously, DRS estimated that there were around 800 asylum seekers living in the city but not all attend DRS. Steve said: “We closed for a month in September and when we started back up again, the numbers just started to grow and the demand for the work we do to help asylum seekers has grown with it. What we are seeing today is unbelievable, It really is a very special day.
Some of the asylum seekers taking language lessons
(Image: Derby Telegraph)
“The Home Office is very cagey about revealing exact numbers of asylum seekers but in actual fact, previously, the overall number of people seeking asylum does not change that much because as people’s claims are processed and they are refused or given leave to stay and officially take on refugee status, they have to move on, their places are taken by someone new arriving.
“This Government appears to be processing applications more quickly than before and recently the rules changed to allow people who had been given leave to remain 56 days to find new accommodation and jobs, instead of the previous 28 days.”
The change in length of time to vacate asylum accommodation – this is in two hotels in Derby, Laverstoke Court in Peet Street and some shared accommodation dotted through the city – comes after criticism that the grace period during which asylum seekers are expected to make preparations to leave asylum accommodation is not long enough.
Steve said: “The 247 people we have registered in the past 10 weeks are people new to this country and have come directly from Dover to Derby. They are coming from a variety of places such as Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Yemen and some African countries such as Sudan, where there has been a massive displacement of the population affecting about 10 million people and is a massive issue.
“Previously, we have seen around five or six people registering with us but now it is around 24 each week which of course puts extra pressure on us to provide our normal help. Even having so many come in today into this space has been stressful. This is easily our busiest day ever.”
DRS opens on Thursday and Saturday mornings each week and volunteers are on hand to help with asylum claims, language classes and bike repairs. Recently, Bikeback Derby, with a donation of £10,000 from Foundation Derbyshire, helped the DRS team to distribute 40 bikes to asylum seekers, who find it hard to pay public transport fares.
The charity also runs an allotment, holds art and craft activities, organises bike rides and holds sports sessions, including football and swimming, has a music group which has performed around Derbyshire at events such as the Wirksworth Festival, and also organises trips and visits into the Peak District.
DRS helps to provide phones for asylum seekers, which must be unlocked and have a working battery if donated, so that they can keep in touch with their asylum applications. The organisation relies on donations of phones, warm coats, trainers and jogging bottoms for men. They can also accept new underwear and socks for men, women and children and men’s toiletries.
Steve said: “We also accept blankets because increasing numbers of asylum seekers are becoming homeless if they cannot find accommodation once they have been given leave to stay and are evicted from asylum accommodation.
“We do what we can to equip them for life after asylum accommodation with help towards setting up bank accounts, making sure they have access to solicitors and also agencies who provide accommodation such as the city council and private agencies.”
Steve says that along with increased numbers of asylum seekers looking for the charity’s help, the charity has seen increased verbal attacks on its work and asylum seekers on social media.
He said: “Before people criticise people who come to this country to seek help, they should remember that these people – every one of them – are traumatised individuals. Many are suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) because of where they have escaped from and what they have seen and experienced.
“Many have lost their family, others have had to leave their families behind. One person recently had no family left at all because of the situation they had come from – they had all died. We try to help them to be normal here and to help them with their futures.
“We won’t turn anyone away, including British homeless, and we work in harmony with our community in Derby helping local residents with such things as bike repairs. Some of our regular visitors help sweep the streets in the area to keep them clean. There is no easy answer to any of this. We just do our best to try to ensure that everyone gets help who comes to us.”
People who arrive in the UK seeking asylum can apply for somewhere to live, a cash allowance or both if they can prove they are destitute. If needed, a flat, house, hostel or bed and breakfast will be provided. The Government website says: “If eligible, you’ll usually get £49.18 for each person in your household a week. You’ll get £8.86 for each person in your household instead if your accommodation provides meals.” People who are refused asylum must return to their own country as soon as possible.
It is hoped that the creation of the New Arrivals Alliance in Derby, consisting of the Red Cross, DRS, Upbeat Communities and Derby Refugee Advisory Centre, and coordinated by Community Action Derby, means there will be a first point of contact for direction and support and will speed up the help that can be given to asylum seekers.
The manager of the new alliance is former Derbyshire police inspector Richard Keene. He said: “The alliance endeavours to join up the work of all our amazing partners who have been working tirelessly in the sector for a number of years. Together we strive to provide a holistic response to the needs of new arrivals, refugees and asylum seekers. We aim to ensure they are given every possibility to contribute to the city and ensure the best possible outcomes for all our communities.
“Derby has always proved to be a city which rejects victimisation and prejudice and serves as a generous and caring starting point to many communities who have arrived down the years and have contributed to making Derby a city which responds to need, supports all groups regardless of background, and pulls together to realise joint achievements for the benefit of all.
“I believe that the alliance is achieving these goals but recognise there is still significant work to do in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for the future.”
It anyone wishes to donate items to DRS, they can take them along to either of the weekly sessions at St Anne’s Church Hall in Leaper Street on Thursdays and Saturdays (the next session is Saturday, December 28, from 9.30am – 12.30pm). Donate money by clicking here or contact DRS on julie@derbyshirerefugeesolidarity.org.