Asylum seekers

Story by Kate Atkinson

Little attention is paid to the difficulties asylum seekers and refugees face. While the national news media are quick to criticise and demonise asylum seekers, their views, the problems they encounter and how they are treated are often ignored.

There are many destitute Iraqi asylum seekers in Burngreave who have been refused refugee status but cannot leave as the government states there is no safe route back to Iraq. They cannot work or claim benefits. Unsurprisingly, this can lead to health problems such as depression, and even self harm.

Organisations such as ASSIST (Asylum Seekers Support Initiative) exist to help but negative attitudes from the public make it difficult.

A Community Welcome?

Despite fleeing persecution, asylum seekers and refugees are often tormented here too. The Messenger sought to speak people who had settled in Burngreave and were facing difficulties, but many are afraid to talk for fear of the repercussions. River Wolton, from the Women’s Conversation Club and a volunteer at the Northern Refugee Centre told me:

“Within Burngreave some asylum seekers and refugees are already living with daily harassment and abuse, so there is an understandable reluctance to have media exposure.”

Support organisations that work with asylum seekers and refugees suggested the hostility towards them is due to a lack of awareness and information in host communities. Barry Brown, Community Initiative Officer at the Refugee Housing Association said:

“You will have people whose mind you can’t change. But for me, information is the key. I feel if people understand the plights of destitute asylum seekers, they tend to approach them differently.

“It comes down to preparing the host community: letting people know the bad experiences asylum seekers have had that cause them to come here. We also need to encourage sympathetic members of the host community to speak up. This work is being done at the moment but the stigma that’s attached by the media to asylum seekers and refugees has made it difficult.”

It’s also important to note the benefits asylum seekers and refugees bring to our community. However, we shouldn’t be discussing them in terms of costs and benefits. With immigration such a key focus in the election campaign we should concentrate on dispelling myths and encouraging integration. Burngreave is a tight-knit community and we need to preserve tolerance and encourage a welcoming spirit.

Useful numbers and websites

• ASSIST: PO Box No 2078, Sheffield S2 4YQ

• Refugee Housing Association: 267 5250

• Women’s Conversation Centre: 275 0731

• Counselling and Interpretation, Burngreave Ethnic Network (BEN): 272 4472/4447/4448

• Refugee Council: http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/