‘I’ve never experienced such difficult times since arriving in the UK’
By Fuad Mahamed, CEO and Founder of refugee and migrant housing and integrated services provider ACH.
On August 15, the High Court granted an interim injunction to prevent the Bell Hotel in Epping from continuing to be used to accommodate asylum seekers.
Almost two weeks later, the Court of Appeal overturned the interim injunction for several reasons that have been widely reported on in recent months. As for what happens next, the case is currently being heard in the High Court.
The outcome is anticipated to set a precedent for similar cases and is something we’ll be keeping a very close eye on. Sadly, the issues highlighted by this case aren’t isolated. Every day, the headlines and social media feeds are full of stories that highlight a growing ripple effect of division and uncertainty developing within local communities across the UK.
Lasting impact
The impact on local communities has been huge, which we’ve been experiencing first-hand. There’s been a significant rise in protestors out on the streets. Meanwhile, some of our members of staff and several residents have been targeted in recent weeks. While I’m pleased to say nobody has been physically hurt, the impact remains with us every day. To say it’s a challenging time right now would be an understatement – I’ve never experienced such difficult times since arriving in the UK in 1998.
Misconception has a big part to play in fuelling the growing community-level tension. And it hasn’t been helped at all by the inaccurate information circulating about the actual number of asylum seekers and boats coming to the UK and the subsequent associated costs. The figures that are being talked about don’t reflect the true picture. There are accurate numbers available from the Home Office that do show the number of people who have been granted status to live in the UK, as well as the overall net migration number. Better assessment of asylum applications, speeding up the process and investing in the integration process is the way forward.
Inter-community dialogue
Sharing accurate facts will immediately help reduce tension between communities. At the same time, I believe that encouraging inter-community dialogue by bringing different communities together to discuss their opinions will also have a positive impact. As a nation, it’s crucial these types of conservations take place up and down the country to encourage better community cohesion.
But, most importantly, we need to change the narrative about the actual number of refugees and migrants who are contributing to society, particularly those in vital paid work. For example, in cities, such as Bristol and Birmingham, there are huge numbers of refugees who are delivering vital services, including many frontline services. Roles include taxi driving, delivery, nursing and shop workers. Sharing the true employment picture, which involves showing just how much refugees and migrants are contributing, is incredibly important for helping challenge people’s misconceptions about refugees and migrants in the UK.
“…some of our members of staff and several residents have been targeted in recent weeks. While I’m pleased to say nobody has been physically hurt, the impact remains with us every day”
Learning lessons
Meanwhile, social housing organisations should work more closely with the government to act as a community anchor and bridge between communities. Housing associations are in a good place to implement the recent community cohesion strategy produced by the government, counteract negative policies towards migrants and refugees, and encourage dialogue between communities. The negative impact of these policies needs to be understood and used as valuable learning lessons to create future strategies that foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, and are underpinned by lived experiences.
I’m not sure how everything is going to develop from a long-term perspective. As I share my views with you now, we (ACH) are one of 100 organisations to have signed an open letter to the Home Secretary, urging her to unite communities, stop blaming migrants and help improve everyone’s lives.
Empower us to do more
God forbid that the marginalisation of black and ethnic minorities, migrants and refugees, and attacks on the streets continues. This is the last thing anybody wants. We really need to be thinking about how we can support refugees and migrants in the UK to become active citizens and develop, thrive and give back to society. Because they do have a lot to contribute, they just need to be given the opportunity to restart and rebuild their lives again.
My number one ask of the government right now is to speak to organisations, like ACH, who are already acting as a bridge between refugees and migrants and local communities, and empower them to be able to do more by providing them with the right type of support and investment. We’re here to help make a difference, but we can’t deliver the fundamental changes that are required on our own, if only we could.
