Maya Pindar, an MPhil Social Anthropology student at the University of Cambridge, and a local Bedfordian, is conducting research with refugees with the support of BRASS. Maya is working with Syrian Refugee Support Officer Nadia Laribi as part of an anthropological research project with other organisations in the country. Maya is currently following Nadia in her work with refugee families, gaining first-hand experience of the situations and events that refugees face as part of their new lives in the UK. The study aims to gain an understanding of refugees’ imaginations and ‘lived realities’ of sanctuary in Britain. Research with Nadia will be conducted through interviews and participant observ
On Friday the 23rd of February Brian Cunningham, the BRASS Coordinator, was invited to the Bedford Rotary to be the after lunch speaker at the Park Inn. The members were very welcoming and the food was lovely, good warming traditional grub on a cold day. He spoke for about BRASS’s work and did some ‘Myth Busting’ on things said about refugees and asylum seekers in certain parts of the media. He took questions afterwards. At the end the Rotary kindly presented Brian with this plaque, a view over the river from the Park Inn, which currently has pride of place in his office.
What is Hate Crime? Hate crimes are any crimes that are targeted at a person because of hostility or prejudice towards that person’s: disability race or ethnicity religion or belief sexual orientation transgender identity This can be committed against a person or property. A victim does not have to be a member of the group at which the hostility is targeted. In fact, anyone could be a victim of a hate crime. Why should I report Hate Crime? Hate crimes and incidents hurt; they can be confusing and frightening. By reporting them when they happen to you, you may be able to prevent these incidents from happening to someone else. You will also help the police understand the extent of hate crime i
The Family Reunion bill has its 2nd reading on Friday 16th March 2018. Please could you contact your MP, and ask them to save the date: to be present in Parliament on 16th March and to support the Family Reunion Bill. You can do this in just a few moments, using the Refugee Council website (link below) after typing in your postcode, you will see who your local MP is, and you will also have a draft of the letter ready to send. It will take less than 5 minutes to send, but could make a huge change in the lives of refugees who wish to reunite with their loved ones. https://helprefugees.org/family-reunion-bill-march/
Diane Abbott spoke about Yarl's Wood hunger strikers today in the House of Commons. She told MPs about the conditions she saw there on her visit a couple of weeks ago and about the treatment of the hunger strikers. There is a short report on the BBC website. Click on the link below to see the piece. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-43306966
Once a month a special social event is held at Bedford Quaker Meeting House for the Syrian families supported by BRASS and their friends. Here are some pictures from the last social held in February. Syrian children enjoying themselves in the Art & Craft at the Quaker meeting house. Parents and friends sharing a moment with the kids.
