Gardens of Sanctuary Resource Pack...might be an urban allotment, a rural smallholding, a city farm...

Gardens of Sanctuary

Resource Pack

2 | gardens.cityofsanctuary.org

gardens.cityofsanctuary.org| 3

Introduction 4

Acknowledgements 5

Section 1: Gardens of Sanctuary 6

What is a Garden of Sanctuary? 6

Why become a garden of sanctuary? 6

How to become a Garden of Sanctuary 6

Section 2: Becoming a Garden of Sanctuary 8

Learn 8

Embed 9

Share 12

BecominganaccreditedGardenofSanctuary 14

Section 3: Seeking Sanctuary 16

The Global Picture 16

Somedefinitions 16

Activity1:Whydopeopleflee? 17

Journey to the UK 18

Claiming asylum in the UK 18

UnaccompaniedAsylum-SeekingChildren(UASC) 19

Overcomingbarriers 20

VolunteeringandtheAsylumSystem 24

Activity2–Groupreflection 24

Activity3–Personalandprofessionalboundaries 25

Section 4: Resources 27

Contents

WelcomeGardens of Sanctuary

WelcometoGardensofSanctuary,aninitiativetoinspire,supportandpromotethe

useofcommunitygrowingspacesasplacesofwelcomeforpeopleseekingsanctuary

intheUK.Thispackcontainsinformationandresourcesaboutseekingsanctuaryin

theUKandguidanceonhowyourcommunitygrowingspacecanbecomeaGarden

ofSanctuary,andbepartofanetworkofgardenswithprinciplesofwelcomeand

sanctuary at their core.

A Garden of Sanctuary could be anywhere and be any size. It might be an urban allotment,

a rural smallholding, a city farm or a permaculturefoodforest.Whatbindsthem together is a commitment to learning about sanctuary, embedding thatlearninginpolicyandpractice,and sharing this commitment with others.Thisresourcepacksetsoutsome of the key ideas for each of theseareasusinginformationfromcasestudies,anationalsurveyandacademicliteraturetohelpusunderstand what makes a garden aplaceofsanctuary.Therearealsoactivitiestohelpyourgroupthinkthrough some of the key issues.

There are community growing groupsallovertheUKdoingvitalworkthatbringspeopletogetheraround things we all share in common like food, the land and ourenvironment.Throughthisactivity,communitiesarestrongerandpeoplearehappier,healthierand less isolated. Because of this, communitygrowingspacesofferenormoustherapeuticvalueto themanythousandsofpeople whoregularlyvisitthem.

EnsuringthatpeoplewhohavesoughtsanctuaryintheUK–including refugees and asylum seekers–canbecontributorsandcollaboratorsinthesespacesmeansthatwearemakingtherapeuticplacesandspacesavailabletosomeofthepeoplewhomayneedthemmost,andalsobenefitingfromthewealthofknowledgeandexperiencesanctuaryseekersbring.Takingstepsto make sure that your community growingspaceistrulyaspaceofsanctuary and welcome can take someworkupfront,butisultimatelya hugely rewarding and enriching experienceforallinvolved.

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GardensofSanctuaryisapartnershipbetween Social Farms & Gardens, City of Sanctuary and the Permaculture Association.Wehaveasharedvisionofanetworkofgreenspaceswithacultureofwelcome,inwhichasylumseekersandrefugeesfeelsafeandappreciatedasvaluedcontributorsandco-creatorsofcommunitygardensandenvironmentalprojectsacrosstheUK.In2017and2018weconductedaUKwidestudyofcommunitygrowinggroupstofindouthowtheyworkedwithrefugeesandasylumseekers.Moreinformationincludinganonlineversionofthisresourcepack,thecasestudies,ourreportandotherusefulresources can be found at gardens.cityofsanctuary.org.


Resource Pack

WHAT IS A GARDEN OF SANCTUARY?A Garden of Sanctuary is a garden thatiscommittedtobeingasafeandwelcomingplaceforthoseseekingsanctuary, including refugees and asylumseekers[seeSectionThreefordefinitions].Itisacommunitygrowingspacethathelpsvolunteers,growers,anystafforcommitteeandthe wider community to understand what it means to be seeking sanctuary. A Garden of Sanctuary embeds policiesandpracticesthatensurethateveryoneistreatedasequal,valuedmembers of the community, and activelywelcomessanctuaryseekerstobepartoftheirspace.

WHY BECOME A GARDEN OF SANCTUARY?Gardensarenaturallytherapeuticenvironmentswhichprovidevariedopportunitiesforpeopleofallages,andcanbringcommunitiestogether.By becoming a Garden of Sanctuary youcan:• Create a culture of welcome and belongingwhichisbeneficialtoeveryoneinvolved

• Providelearningopportunitiesaboutwhat it means to be seeking sanctuary anddispelsomeofthenegativemythsthat exist

• Increasethediversityofpeopleinvolvedwithyourgrowingspaceandreachouttopartsofthecommunityyoumightnothavereachedbefore

• Benefitfromfundingavailableforpromotingsocialinclusionandworkingwithmarginalisedcommunities

It is a community growing space that helps volunteers, growers, any staff or committee and the wider community to understand what it means to be seeking sanctuary

Where you see this symbol, there is an invitationtotakepartinashortexercisedesignedtohelpyouthinkmoredeeplyaboutsomeoftheissuesandsubjectsraisedinthispack.Theseexercisescanbecompletedeitherindividuallyorinagroup.

HOW TO BECOME A GARDEN OF SANCTUARYTherearethreeprinciplesthatunderpinthecommitmentneeded to become a Garden of Sanctuary1. Learn about what it means to be

seeking sanctuary2. Takepositiveactiontoembed conceptsofwelcome,safetyandinclusioninyourgrowingspaceandthe wider community

3. Shareyourvisionandachievements

Ifyouarecommittedtotheseprinciples,andcanprovideevidencethatyouaremeetingtheseanda smallnumberofspecificcriteria, youcanapplytoberecognised with a Garden of Sanctuary Award. SeethesectionBecominganAccredited Garden of Sanctuary attheendofSection2.

Gardens of SanctuarySection1


Learn, Embed, Sharegardens.cityofsanctuary.org| 7

LEARNItiscrucialtoprovideopportunitiesforeveryoneinvolvedinyour growingspacetolearnabouttheasylumsystem,whypeopleseeksanctuary and what some of the majorchallengestheyfaceare.

InSectionThreethereismoreinformationandsomeactivitiestohelpyouthinkaboutthesequestions.The following are some ideas for waysyoucanpromotelearningamongstyourgroup,yourproject and the wider community.

Partner with a refugee organisationAllovertheUKtherearefantasticorganisations,oftensmallcharities,providingvitalsupporttopeopleseeking sanctuary. This might include drop-ins,housingadvice,legaladvice,integrationprojects,foodbanksand many others. Partnering with a refugeeorganisationcanbecrucialtomakingconnectionswithpeopleseeking sanctuary and for ongoing adviceandsupportforyourproject.Somegrowingspacesofferdedicatedsessions for sanctuary seekers, usuallyinpartnershipwitharefugeeorganisation,whilstothersinvitepeopleseekingsanctuarytoattendregularsessionsorjusttodropin.

Agoodstartingpointisyourlocal CityofSanctuarygroupwhich can be found at www.cityofsanctuary.org/groups.

TrainingSeeifthereisalocalorganisationthatofferstrainingontheasylumprocessandonworkingwithpeopleseeking sanctuary. This can be a great learningopportunity,butcanalsohelpyoutoconnectwithgroupswhoworkwithpeopleseekingsanctuarythatcouldbecomeinvolvedinyourgrowingspace.

There are a growing number of sanctuaryseekerswhohavetrainedtospeakabouteithertheirown,orthegeneral,experienceofseekingasylum in the UK. Find someone who cancomeandtalktoyourgroup,orgoalongtoaneventinyourlocalareawheresomeoneisgivingatalktofindoutmore.

ResourcesThere are some excellent resourcesavailabletosupportyourgrouptolearnmoreabouttheasylumprocessandthechallengesfacedbypeopleseekingsanctuary.SeeSection4foralistofusefulresources.

Becoming a Garden of Sanctuary

Section2

Resource Pack


EMBEDThere are many ways in which you cantakepositiveactiontoembedacultureandapracticeofsanctuary inyourgroupandgrowingspace. The following are some key ideas andwaystoovercomesomeofthemany barriers to inclusion that a lot ofpeopleseekingsanctuarywillface.

Policies and PracticesManylargerorlong-establishedcommunitygrowingspaceswillhavepoliciesandproceduresthatactasaguideforhowstaffandvolunteershandlearangeofsituations.Theseensurethatthevaluesoftheorganisationareclearlyexpressedandthatpeopleknowhowtodealwithmattersastheyarise.Smaller,informalornewlyformedgroupsmaynothaveproducedthesekindsofdocuments,andmanygroupsexisthappilyformanyyearswithout“rules”.Whereveryoufallon this scale, it is a good idea to think about how you would like to handle difficultsituationsandhowyoukeeppeopleonyoursitesafe.

Manygroupsuseasimplecodeofconduct to clearly communicate what is expectedofpeopleinvolved.Commonpointsonthiskindofdocumentwillbe statements around drug or alcohol consumptionandtheprohibitionofanykindofprejudicedlanguageorbehaviour.

Beingawareofpersonalandprofessionalboundariesisalsoveryimportant.ThereisanexercisetohelpyouthinkthroughthisinSection3.

Theseresourcesaredesignedtohelpyoudeveloppoliciesandproceduresrelevanttoyourgroup:• CityofSanctuaryresourcepages-

https://cityofsanctuary.org/resources-for-groups/policies/

• SocialFarms&Gardensresourcepage-https://www.farmgarden.org.uk/resources

• ResourceCentre-https://www.resourcecentre.org.uk/information-category/making-your-group-work-well/policies-and-procedures/

Dedicated sessionsSomepeopleseekingsanctuarymightfeelsaferinanewspaceiftherearededicatedsessionsforpeopleinasimilarsituation.Somecommunitygrowingspacesofferspecifictimesorevenwhole days where they run structured, orunstructuredsessionsforpeopleseekingsanctuary.Youmightalsofindthatwomeninparticularvaluewomenorwomenandchildren-onlysessions.

Forsomepeoplededicatedsessionswill be a great way for them to be introducedtoyourspaceandhelp them to feel comfortable before joininginwithmoreopensessions andopportunities.


TRANSITION TOWN TOOTINGTransitionTownTootingworkwithCARAS(CommunityActionforRefugeesandAsylumSeekers)inSouth Londontoprovideopportunitiesintheircommunitygardenandelsewhere.Peopleinvolvedwiththeproject saytheyhavebecomemuchmoreawareofwhatisavailableintheirlocalcommunity.Ithashelpedalotofpeopleconnectwiththeirownpersonalhistoriesoffoodgrowingandtogainconfidencethroughbeingable toshareskillstheyhavebroughtwiththemfromhome.Mostprofoundlyithasenabledpeoplewhohavereliedoncharity,sometimesforyears,tobecomeproudoftheirownknowledgeandtobegintopassthisontootherswhoarethemselvesindifficultsituations.

Case Study 1


Celebrate important eventsOrganiseeventstocelebrateimportantdates. All Gardens of Sanctuary should endeavourtodosomethingtomarkRefugee WeekwhichtakesplaceduringthethirdweekofJuneeveryyear.

Otherdatesyoucouldmarkinclude:• 27January–HolocaustMemorialDay(www.hmd.org.uk)

• October–BlackHistoryMonth(www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk)

• 10December–HumanRightsDay(http://www.un.org/en/events/humanrightsday/)

Make a calendar of key religious festivalsforallthemajorfaithsandseeif there are ways you could mark some of them.

Working in partnershipLocalorganisations,includingrefugeecharitiesandothers,cansupportyoutoembedapracticeandcultureofwelcome.Theycanprovidereferralroutes both in and out of your group,andofferadditionalexpertiseandsupportifyoucomeacrossanunfamiliarsituationorproblemthatyouneedadviceon.YoumayalsowishtodiscusspotentialpartnershipworkwithnationalorganisationssuchasSocialFarms & Gardens, City of Sanctuary

andthePermacultureAssociation.Buildingrelationshipswithotherorganisationscanalsobebeneficialifyoudecidetoapplyforfundingtosupportyourworkwithpeopleseekingsanctuary.TheorganisationslistedintheSignpostingandSupportsectionareagoodplacetostart,andthere may well be other grassroots groupsworkinginyourareawhowould like to establish a link with yourgroup.

Creating opportunitiesConsider how you could create opportunitiesforsanctuaryseekerstolearnmorethroughvolunteering,internshipsorworkopportunities, orwaysforpeopletosharethe skillsthattheyhavethroughteaching and mentoring.

ManypeoplewhoseeksanctuaryintheUKhaveahugeamountofknowledge and skills to share, so identifywaystheycouldbeactivelyinvolvedintheproject,perhapsbyjoiningyourcommittee,runningcoursesorleadingonparticularaspectsoftheproject.

IMPORTANT: See the section on Volunteering and the Asylum System in Section Three.

Signposting and SupportHavingtheknowledgeofwheretosignpostpeopleiftheyareincrisismeans that you will be able to assist theminfindingthehelptheyneedevenwhenprovidingthathelpisbeyondthescopeofyouoryourgroup.

Ineveryareatherewillbelocalgroupsandorganisationsoperating,andthefollowingaresomenationalorganisationsthatmaybeabletooffersupportandadvice:• AsylumAid–providesfreelegaladviceandrepresentation

• TheBritishRedCross–inmanyplacestheyofferlegaladviceandotheressentialsupport

• CityofSanctuary–agrassrootsmovementpresentinover100UKtownsandcities

• DetentionAction–supports peopleinUKdetentioncentres andcampaignsontheirbehalf

• FreedomFromTorture–amedicalfoundationforsurvivorsoftorture

• RefugeeAction–offerspracticalsupportandcampaigns

• TheRefugeeCouncil–offerspracticalsupportandadvice

FundingFundingisinvariablyachallengeformanygroups,andespeciallywhenworking with sanctuary seekers whotypicallyhaveextremelylittleaccess to money. Think about how yourgroupcouldsecurefundingtoenableyoutoembedprovisionforsanctuaryseekersintoyouractivities.Somespecificcostsyoumightneedtoconsiderincludeparticipanttravelcosts,food,additionalstafftimeortopayforaspecialistsupportworker. There are a number of funderswhosupportworkwithrefugees and asylum seekers. For uptodateinformationonwhatis

Resource Pack


availableitisworthsigninguptorelevantnewslettersfromsupportingorganisations.

Someexamplesofhowgroupshavesecuredfundingtoworkwithsanctuaryseekersare:• TheGrange(Norfolk)usefunding

from trusts and grants to subsidise residentialstaysforsanctuaryseekersaswellastocovertravelcosts for sanctuary seekers from Norwichtovisitonaregularbasis

• AudaciousVeg(London)crowdfunded in order to be able tocovertravelcosts

• GrowingTogetherLevenshulme(Manchester)usefundingfromsmallgrantstopayforsessionalworkercostsandtodeveloptheirallotment site

• SydenhamGardens(London) hasdevelopedapartnership withthelocalNHStrustwhofundthemtodeliveradedicatedprogrammeforSriLankan male asylum seekers

Overcoming barriersTherearemanypracticalandpsychologicalbarriersthatmightpreventsomepeopleseeking sanctuary from gettinginvolvedincommunitygardens and other growing spaces.Someofthesearedetailed in Section Three. Itisimportantforyourgroupstobeawareofthesebarriers so that you can identifywaystoovercomethemasmuchaspossible. Being aware of some of the barriers might influence the way youdesignactivities andyourpolicies andprocedures.

GROWING TOGETHER LEVENSHULMEGrowingTogetherLevenshulmeprovideaweeklygardeninggroupontheirallotmentplotwhichisrunonveganorganicprinciplesandsupportedbyvolunteers.Theyaccesssmallgrantstopayforgardeningtools,travelexpensesforparticipantsandothercosts.Thegroupdoesnothaveanestablishedreferralsystembuttheirverystronglinkswithlocalrefugeeorganisationsmeanthatpeopleareregularlysignpostedtothem.Participantsreportsignificantimprovementstotheirmentalhealththrough being outdoors on the allotment, but also through being treated as a human being and not an asylum seeker whilst they are there.

Case Study 2


Resource Pack

SHAREAsacommunitygrowingspacecommittedtosanctuary,youcanalsoplayanimportantroleinsharingyourlearningandexperiencewithothersinordertodevelopawidercultureof welcome in the sector and in your local area.

Communicate and CelebrateYoumightalreadyhavecommunicationchannelsthatyouuse including social media, a website, localpressorothers.Thinkabouthowyoucouldusetheseplatforms,orthoseofotherpeopleyouworkwith, to celebrate the work you aredoingtoprovideacultureofsanctuary and welcome. Think about gettingthemessageoutbeyondyourusualsector,andpromotingmaterialandcontentproducedfromwithinthe local refugee sector itself to helpamplifytheirvoice.

Whilstphotoscanbeafantasticwaytoshareyourwork,itisessentialtoensureyouhavefullconsentbeforesharingimages.Itispossiblethatsharingaphotoontheinternetwithoutconsentcould,forexample,identifyasanctuaryseekerwhohasescapedadangeroussituationbutwhostillhasfamilylivingintheircountry of origin. This could be dangerousforeithertheindividual or their family.

If you become accredited as a GardenofSanctuary,orevenif you don’t, think about how you can celebratethefantasticworkyouaredoing.Perhapsbyhavingathemedopenday,displayingyourcertificate(ifyouareaccredited),handingoutleafletsorholdinginformationdays.If you are a member of Social Farms & Gardens, the Permaculture AssociationorCityofSanctuary,

shareyourexperienceswith them so that they can include it in newsletters,throughsocialmediachannels and on the Gardens of Sanctuary website.

Grow the MovementAllmovementsgrowthroughpeopleandorganisationsworkingtogethertowards common goals. To be an effectiveGardenofSanctuaryandtobepartofgrowingthemovementitisimportanttothinkaboutwhoyoumightpartnerwithonalocallevel or more widely.

In your work with local sanctuary seekers, some of your most importantpartnersarelikelytobealocalCityofSanctuarygrouporothercharitiesandorganisationsworkingwithpeopleseekingsanctuary.Asdescribedintheprevioussection,thesegroupsarewhereyourreferralsandparticipantsaremostlikelytobefoundandtheywillbeabletooffer

ongoingadviceandsupport.Findout if there is already a local City ofSanctuarygroupnearyouand,ifthere is, see how you can work with them.Detailsofalllocalgroupsandhowtosetupagroupcanbefoundathttps://cityofsanctuary.org/groups/

Findoutwhichothergroupsororganisationsinyourlocalareaarerecognisedasplacesofsanctuaryandexplorehowyoucanallworktogethertodevelopacultureofwelcome.Thesameappliesforanylocalculturalvenuesororganisationswhomightbeabletosupportthecreativedevelopmentofyoursanctuarymovement.

Finally, it can be useful to build partnershipswithyourlocalauthorityandparliamentaryrepresentativewhohaveastatutoryresponsibilitytosupportpeopleintheasylumsystemandwhomaybeabletoofferuseful practicaladvice.


Promote Sanctuary amongst other gardensThinkabouthowyoucouldsupportand encourage other community growingspacestobecomeplacesofwelcomeforpeopleseekingsanctuary. There are many ways youmightdothisincluding:• Holding a gathering for community growingspacestoexploretheconceptofbeingaGarden of Sanctuary

• Writingarticlesforrelevantmagazines, web sites and blogs

• Sharing your story at local, regionalandnationalgatherings andmeetings

• Becominganactivememberof themovementandpartofthenationalnetworkofcommunitygrowingspacesworkingtocreatemore Gardens of Sanctuary

• Becoming a Gardens of Sanctuary casestudy(pleasecontactus ifyouwouldliketodothis)

• HoldanopendayaspartofRefugee Week to celebrate theinvolvementofsanctuaryseekersinyourgroup

CampaignAs a Garden of Sanctuary, you can lendyourvoicetosomeofthemanycampaignsthataimtopromoteacultureandapracticeofsanctuaryintheUK.Thesecampaignsarealwayschangingbutmightincludeappealstosupportspecificindividuals,orwidercallsfornationalpolicychange on the rights of asylum seekers.Thereareseveralnationalorganisationswhosecampaigns youcouldsupportincluding:• AsylumMatters(https://

asylummatters.org):PartoftheCityofSanctuaryMovement

• AmnestyInternationalUK (https://www.amnesty.org.uk)

• DetentionAction(http://detentionaction.org.uk/campaigns)

• Migrants Organise (https://www.migrantsorganise.org)

• RefugeeAction (https://www.refugee-action.org.uk)



THE GRANGETheGrangeinWestNorfolkisa10acresmallholdingwhichwelcomespeopleseekingsanctuaryforresidentialbreaksandvolunteeringopportunities.TheGrangehaspartneredwithseveralrefugeeorganisationswhoareresponsibleforsafeguardingandensuringthat therightpeoplearereferredforappropriatetrips.Allstaffandinterns atTheGrangereceiveregularsupervisionfromatrainedpsychotherapisttosupportthemwithanychallengingsituationstheymayhavefaced andtolimitthepotentialforvicarioustrauma.

Case Study 3

Resource Pack

findingoutwhatitmeanstobeseekingsanctuary,andtobeactivelyinvolvedinawareness-raisingwithallyour

participantsandinthewidercommunity.

LEARN

takingpositiveactiontomakewelcomeandinclusionpartofthevaluesofyour

organisationandgroup,toofferanactivewelcomeandopportunitiesforsanctuaryseekers,andtoincludethematalllevelsofdecision-makinginrelevantareas.

EMBED

sharingyourvisionandachievementswithinyourorganisationandinthe

widercommunity;lettingothersknowaboutthepositivecontributionthat

sanctuary seekers make to our society andthebenefitstoallofawelcoming

cultureforeveryone.

SHARE

BECOMING AN ACCREDITED GARDEN

OF SANCTUARYIfyouwouldliketo,youcanapplyfora Garden of Sanctuary award from the City of Sanctuary awards scheme. This is designed as a way to celebrate and showcasethehugevarietyofgroupsandorganisationsofferingawelcomein the UK, and to let sanctuary seekers

know that they are welcome in your space.Toapplyforasanctuaryaward,youwillneedtosendinanapplicationform(availablefromthe Gardens of

Sanctuary web page)withinformationandevidencefromeachofthe

followingthreeareas:


Thereareideasandexamplesthroughoutthispackforeachofthese three areas. Your local City of Sanctuarygroup,regionalcoordinatorandSocialFarms&Gardensstaffcanalsooffersupportandideas.

Ifyoureceivetheawardyouwillbewelcome(andencouraged!)tousethe Gardens of Sanctuary logo at your communitygrowingspaceandinanyleafletsandpublicity.Theawardlastsfor three years and then needs to be re-appliedfor.

CRITERIATherearethreeessentialcriteriarequiredforaccreditation:

1. Active involvement of people seeking sanctuaryEverycommunitygrowingspaceisdifferentandnotallareinareaswheretherearepeopleseekingsanctuary.However,inordertobeaGardenofSanctuaryitisvitalthatsanctuaryseekersareinvolvedinthespaceinsomeway.Examplesofthismightinclude:• Regularparticipationinactivitiessuchasopendays,volunteering andmeetings

• Actingasadvisorstothegroup for sanctuary work

• Offeringdedicatedsessionsforsanctuary seekers

• Takingonrolesinthegroupasgrowers/trustees/committeemembersetc.(RefertoSectionThree ‘Volunteering and the Asylum System’forimportantinformationonthisarea)

2. Marking Refugee Week RefugeeWeektakesplaceduringthethirdweekofJuneeveryyearandisanannualcelebrationofthecontributionof refugees. Ways you could make RefugeeWeekinclude:

• Hostinganeventatyour growingspace

• SupportingotherRefugeeWeekeventstakingplaceinyourarea

• Usingtheopportunitytocommunicate about being a placeofsanctuarythrough the media or social media

3. Have safeguarding systems in placeSafeguardingeveryoneinvolvedintheCityofSanctuarymovementisessential,mostespeciallyvolunteersandasylumseekersandrefugeeswhomaybeparticularlyvulnerableoratriskofexploitation.

As a minimum we recommend thefollowing:• Allgroupstohaveasafeguardingpolicyinplacewhichsuitsthetypeofactivities/servicesyoudeliver(andtakesintoconsiderationanyoneinvolved or who may come into contact withthegroup)

• Ensurethepolicyexplains whysomevolunteersmight beparticularlyvulnerable

• Makesurethatallvolunteers areawareof,andhaveaccessto,thesafeguardingpolicy,and ensure they know that any concerns will be dealt with in accordancewiththepolicy

• Allvolunteersandserviceusers should know who the safeguarding leads are and havetheircontactdetails.(Abusinesscardwithasafeguarding lead contact isausefulidea)

• Ifyouhaveamanagementcommittee/steeringgroup/ board etc., they should all beawareofthepolicyand theirresponsibilities

AWARD ASSESSMENTWewanttoemphasiseandcelebratethevarietyofwaysthatplacescanbeGardensofSanctuary, and we recognise that not all gardens can, or will,havethesameapproach.The structure of the award assessment is flexible to allow forgardenstoapproachbecomingaplaceofsanctuaryin a way most suitable to their context. We will award Garden of Sanctuary accreditation whereweseeevidencethateach of the Learn, Embed, Shareprinciplesisrunningthroughthegroupthat isapplying.Thiscan be challenging, and additionalsupportisavailablefromtheGardensofSanctuarypartnersand your local City of Sanctuarygroups.

Applicationsforawards are assessed by your local City ofSanctuarygroupwithsupportfromthe national Garden ofSanctuarypeerreviewpanel,SocialFarms & Gardens, Permaculture Association and otherexpertsifnecessary. The panelwillalwaysinclude at least one sanctuary seeker, and will ideallyinvolveavisittoyoursite as well as assessment of theapplication.



Seeking SanctuarySection3

Resource Pack

THE GLOBAL PICTUREOverthelastfewyears,imagesofmen,womenandchildrenfleeingwarzonesandmakingdangerousandoftenfatalseaandlandcrossingshavebecometragically familiar. Whilst the headlines havelargelymovedon,thecrisisofforcedmigrationhasnot.AccordingtotheUNRefugeeAgency(UNHCR)nearly70millionpeople,roughlythesame astheentirepopulationoftheUK, arecurrentlylivingforciblydisplacedfromtheirhomes.Thevastmajorityareinternallydisplacedwithintheirowncountries,orlivingin neighbouring countries.

IntheyeartoMarch2018,justover1millionpeoplesoughtrefugeinEuropewithmorethanathirdmakingtheperilouscrossingoftheMediterraneanSea.Just25,500people(includingchildren),lessthan3%ofthosewhoreachedEurope,claimed asylum in the UK in that sameperiod.TheUKasylumsystemisintentionallyhostilewiththousandsofpeoplewaitingmonths,oroftenyears,foradecisionandjust32%ofinitialapplicationsbeinggrantedinthelastyear.Mostpeoplewhoseinitialasylumclaimisrefusedappealagainst the decision and a high numberofappealsaresuccessful. In2016thecourtsoverturnedHomeOfficedecisionsinmorethan40%ofappealcases,raisinghugequestionsovertheinitialapplicationprocess.

SOME DEFINITIONSA refugee isapersonwho,‘owingtoawell-foundedfearofbeing

persecutedforreasonsofrace,religion,nationality,membershipofaparticularsocialgroup,orpoliticalopinion,isoutsidethecountryoftheirnationality,andisunableto or, owing to such fear, is unwilling toavailthemselvesoftheprotectionofthatcountry’(Article1,1951RefugeeConvention).

An asylum seeker is someone who hasappliedtotheGovernmentforrefugeestatusandiswaitingtoheartheoutcomeoftheirapplication.AsylumseekersdonothavetherighttoworkintheUKexceptunderverylimited circumstances, and must rely onminimalstatesupport(in2018thisis£37.75/week).Housingisprovidedto asylum seekers but they cannot choosewheretheyliveandareoftenhousedin‘hardtolet’properties

whichothersdonotwanttolivein.In this document we tend to use

the general term “Sanctuary Seeker” mostoften,whichappliestoallpeoplewhoaregoingtoapply,haveappliedorhavereceivedasylum.Underinternationalhumanrightslaw,everyindividualhastherighttoclaimasylumandgovernmentsareobligedtoprovideprotectionforpeoplewhomeet the criteria for asylum. Anyone seekingprotectionisalsoentitled to stay in the UK whilst they wait for a decision on their asylum claim.

ToclaimasylumintheUKapersonisrequiredtomakethemselvesknowntotheauthoritiesassoonastheyenterthecountry(oftenataport/airport).Manydo,butinreality,alotofpeopleareeithernotawareof this, are too scared to do so, or


arrivehiddeninavehicleandhave no idea where they are when they are droppedoff.Othersarriveonlegalvisas(suchasastudentortouristvisa)butthenclaimasylumifitistoodangerous for them to return home.

There are also a small number of governmentprogrammesthatenablepeopletoarriveintheUKasrefugeesthroughaninternationalrefugeeresettlementscheme.Themostwell-knownoftheseistheSyrianVulnerablePersonsResettlementSchemeunderwhichthegovernmenthasagreedtoallow20,000peoplewhohavefledthewarinSyriatocometotheUKbetween2015and2020.Atpresentitseemslikelythatthisschemewillbeextendedpost2020toincludeothercountries.

Formoreinformationsee:

http://www.unhcr.org/uk/asylum-in-the-uk.htmlhttps://www.asylumaid.org.uk/the-asylum-process-made-simple/

ACTIVITY 1: WHY DO PEOPLE FLEE? Onyourownorinagroup,takesometimetothinkaboutwhatitwouldtakeforyoutofleefromyourhome,country or family, taking only what you cancarrywithyou.Whatpossessionswould you take? Would you know where to go if you were no longer safe intheplaceyoucallhome,orhowtoseek asylum in an unfamiliar country?

Common Reasons to Flee Your Home and Country• Fearofpersecutionorrepressionbecauseofyourethnic/socialgroup,

religion,sexuality,politicalbelief• Fearofdeathduetowar(ethnic,civil,military)and/ororganisedviolence

• Abuses by the security forces or armedoppositiongroups(rape,beating)

• Massacres or the threat of massacres

• Deathpenaltyforpoliticalopposition

• Conscriptionintothearmy• Unjustsystems,includingdetention

without trial or unfair trials, such aspersecutionbecauseofotherfamily members

• Torture and inhumane treatment• Gender-basedhumanrightsabuses,

such as honour killings, forced marriages,FGM,sexualslavery andtrafficking


JOURNEY TO THE UKEveryindividual’sexperienceisdifferentbutallinvolveuncertaintyandrisk,andformanypeopletheirjourneystotheUKleavethemwithsignificantphysicalandmentaltrauma. Many refugees are forced to use forged documents and are atthemercyofagentsandpeopletraffickers who are able to arrange landandseatransport,oftenindangerousandovercrowdedconditions.Injustthefirsthalfof2018,morethan1000peoplediedcrossing the Mediterranean Sea.

Findoutmoreaboutpeople’sexperienceoffleeingtotheUKthrough some of the following resources:• AmnestyInternational’s ‘Play

Against All Odds’ shows the reality ofbeingforcedtoflee-http://www.playagainstallodds.ca/game_us.html

• UNICEFForced to Flee teaching pack -https://www.unicef.org.uk/rights-respecting-schools/resources/teaching-resources/forced-to-flee/

• BritishRedCrosshaveproducedarange of teaching materials-https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-involved/teaching-resources/refugees-and-migration

CLAIMING ASYLUM IN THE UKTheUKasylumsystemiscomplexandhostile,andnavigatingit can take many months and often years.Thereareevencasesofpeoplebeingintheasylumsystemfor two decades either due to Home Office bureaucracy, or because they struggle to gather evidencetosupporttheircase,whichcanbeimpossibletoget hold of.

NOTE: This section offers a very brief overview of the UK asylum system and it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the basic process if you are going to be working with sanctuary seekers. However, you should under no circumstances try to give legal advice to people seeking sanctuary as it can severely jeopardise their asylum claims. Instead it is important to be aware of organisations that are qualified to give legal advice in your local area (often the British Red Cross) and to refer people to them.

The asylum systemAfterapplyingforasylum,peopleseekingsanctuarywillbeinterviewedbyagovernmentofficiallookingforevidenceofwhethertheyareentitledtoasylum.Theseinterviewsareoftenhighlytraumaticaspeopleareforced

THE COMFREY PROJECT 1TheComfreyProjectinNewcastleoffersspecialistdrop-insessionsforlocalrefugees and asylum seekers from across the regions as well as for a Syrian group.Theirsessionsfocusongrowing,cookingandeatingfoodtogether.Participantsarereferredfrompartnerorganisations,oftenasacontinuationattheendofacourseoftherapythattheyarereceiving.Sessionsarerunonadrop-inbasisanddon’tneedtobebookedinadvancealthoughattendanceis monitored so that anyone who is absent can be contacted to ensure they areOK.Sessionsaresupportedbyvolunteerswhogothroughaprocess ofrecruitmentandtrainingtoensuretheyhavetheappropriateskills andsupportmechanismsfortherole.

Case Study 4


torecounttheirexperiences,reasonsforfleeingandtheirjourneystotheUK.

UndertheUKGovernment’shostileenvironmentforimmigration,manyapplicationsarerefusedandpeoplearetoldtoleavethecountry.Atthispointtheyhavetherighttoappeal,andiftheydon’ttheymaybetransferredtodetentioncentresmanagedbyprivatesecurityfirms,fromwherejustoverhalfofthosedetainedwillbedeportedbacktothecountrytheyfledfrom.Beingheldindetentionisoftendescribedasfeelinglikebeinginprisonforacrimeyouhaven’tcommitted,andtheUKiscurrently the only EU country which hasnolimittotheamountoftimeapersoncanbedetained.Manypeoplesufferphysicalandmentalhealthproblemsafterbeingindetention.Formoreinformationondetentionsee www.detentionaction.org.uk.

Those whose cases are not refused, or who are refused but then putinanappeal,willhavetowaitfor their case to be heard by a Home Officeofficial(orbyajuryinthecaseofappeals).PeopleareusuallysenttoanInitialAccommodationCentreandthen‘dispersed’somewhereintheUnitedKingdom–oftentoaplacewhere they don’t know anyone and havenosupportnetwork.

Whilstwaitingfortheresultoftheirapplicationorappeal,peopleareprovidedwithbasicaccommodation.Thisisoftenofverypoorquality,andtheymightbesharingwithpeoplefrommanydifferentcountrieswhooftenwillnotspeakthesamelanguage.Duringthistimeasylumseekersarebarredfromworking,exceptunderverylimitedcircumstances,andhavetosurviveonatinyweeklyallowance(currently£37.75/weekorjustover£5perday).

Ifaperson’sclaimforasylumis

acceptedtheywillusuallybegranted‘refugeestatus’anddiscretionaryleavetoremainforuptofiveyears.Attheendofthisinitialperiodtheymustapplyagainforfurtherleavetoremain,leavingpeopleinconstantfearabouttheirfuturesafetyevenaftertheyaregivenstatus.Ifapersonisgrantedrefugeestatusorhumanitarianprotectiontheyhavetherighttowork,claimbenefits andtobereunitedwiththeirspouseandchildren(whoareunder18).

Thepointatwhichanapplicationisacceptedcanalsobeincrediblydifficultandstressful.Onceanindividualisgrantedrefugeestatus,theyhavejust28daystomoveoutoftheirHomeOfficeprovidedaccommodationandeitherapplyforbenefitsorfindwork.Afterthis,allsupportandhousingiswithdrawnanditisnotuncommonforpeopletobecomedestituteand/orhomeless.

UNACCOMPANIED ASYLUM-SEEKING CHILDREN (UASC)Anyoneundertheageof17½whohasappliedforasylumandbeenrefused is granted a form of limited leaveiftherearenoadequatereturnarrangements with their home country.UASCleaveisgrantedforaperiodof30monthsoruntilthechildturns17½-whicheverisshorter.Oncetheyhavereachedthisage,unlesstheycansuccessfullyapplyforasylum, they will be returned to their home country.

UASChavetherighttoeducationandareputunderthesupportofaLocalAuthoritysocialservicesteamandoftenhousedbyfostercarers.

MoreinformationonUASCcanbefoundhere-https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/what_we_do/childrens_services



Physicalimpactofstress Psychologicalimpactofstress BehaviouralimpactofStress

Shallowbreathingorhyperventilating Irritable,aggressive,impatient Finding it hard to make decisions

Panicattacks Overburdened,overwhelmed Bitingyournails

Heart racing Anxious,nervousorafraid Tiredallthetime

Headaches Negativeand/orblackandwhitethinking Shoutingatpeople

Chestpains Sleepingtoomuchortoolittle Avoidingsituationsthatmighttroubleyou

Achesandpains Depressedoruninterestedinlife Unabletoconcentrate,poormemory

Feelingsick,dizzyorfainting Poorjudgement Eatingtoomuchortoolittle

Grindingyourteethorclenchingyourjaw Sense of dread Smoking or drinking too much alcohol

Blurred eyesight or sore eyes Worried about health Very tearful

Frequentcolds Loss of sense of humour Restless

Unlessyouhavespecifictraining, itisusuallynotadvisabletotrytosupportsomeonewhoisincrisisordisplayingclearsignsoftrauma.Ifyoudofindyourselfinthissituationitisimportantto:• Besensitivetoculturalfactors,suchasthefearofshameorhumiliationofrevealingsuicidalthoughts

• Takethepersonseriouslybutdonotfeellikeitisyourresponsibilitytosupportthemdirectlyunless youaretrainedandconfident in doing so

• Explainthatyouhavearesponsibilitytohelp.Askiftheyhaveamentalhealthprofessionalwho you can contact. If they don’t

then you can contact a crisis team throughtheNHS111service,theirGP, the Police or A&E. Remember thateveryonehastherighttoprimaryhealthcareregardless oftheirimmigrationstatus

• HavecontactdetailsforhelplinessuchastheSamaritansavailable.The Samaritans can be contacted atanytime,forfree,fromanyphoneon116123

Beingclearaboutyourpersonalandprofessionalboundariesisvital.Thereisanactivitylaterinthebookdesignedtohelpyouthinkabouttherightpersonalandprofessionalboundariesforyourgroup.

DestitutionBeing destitute means that someone has no money and nowheretolive.Asnotedelsewhere, asylum seekers are not allowed to work and most commonly become destitute whenfinancialsupportfromthegovernmentisstopped.Destitutioncanhappenatanystageoftheasylumprocessbutmoreoftenwhenpeoplehavehadtheir case refused.

Many refused asylum seekers find it hard to access mainstream homeless shelters and can suffer prejudiceparticularlyiftheyare street homeless. There are

Resource Pack

OVERCOMING BARRIERSMental HealthManysanctuaryseekersshareahistoryofmultipletraumaswhichmaydisplayinmanydifferentwaysandwhilstinsomepeopleitmightnotbeimmediatelyobvious,itisimportanttobeawareofsomeofthesignsofstressandtohaveaclearprocessifyouneedtosupportsomeone.Theexamplesinthetablebeloware taken from the City of Sanctuary Mental Health Resource Pack.


Physicalimpactofstress Psychologicalimpactofstress BehaviouralimpactofStress

Shallowbreathingorhyperventilating Irritable,aggressive,impatient Finding it hard to make decisions

Panicattacks Overburdened,overwhelmed Bitingyournails

Heart racing Anxious,nervousorafraid Tiredallthetime

Headaches Negativeand/orblackandwhitethinking Shoutingatpeople

Chestpains Sleepingtoomuchortoolittle Avoidingsituationsthatmighttroubleyou

Achesandpains Depressedoruninterestedinlife Unabletoconcentrate,poormemory

Feelingsick,dizzyorfainting Poorjudgement Eatingtoomuchortoolittle

Grindingyourteethorclenchingyourjaw Sense of dread Smoking or drinking too much alcohol

Blurred eyesight or sore eyes Worried about health Very tearful

Frequentcolds Loss of sense of humour Restless

a small number of charities and a growing number of hosting organisationsprovidingfordestitutesanctuary seekers but they are oftenover-stretched.Formoreonhostingschemesvisit https://cityofsanctuary.org/group-activities/hosting/

Destitutioncanalsoaggravatementalandphysicalhealthproblemsandpeoplewithnofixedabodecanfind it extremely difficult to get the supporttheyneed.

LanguageMake sure that language is not a barriertopeopleattendingwhospeaklimited,orno,English.

Thereareplentyofwaystoworktogether without using any words at all. Somethingstothinkaboutare:• Whengivinginstructions,trytoincorporateasmanynonverbaldescriptionsaspossible.Thingslikemimingactions,pointingtospecifictoolsorgivingclearpositiveornegativehandsignalscanreally helpsomeonewithlittleEnglish

• Askwhattheplantortoolyou’retalking about is called in their language,andifpossiblemakea note of it. You could label key itemswithanumberofdifferenttranslations,andusephotosofcommon items like tools, or to

illustrateprocesseslikethelifecycleofaplant.Thiscanbemoreinclusivethantheuseofwrittenlanguage andmakesthosewithlittleEnglishfeel welcome and considered

• Thinkabouthavingkeypieces ofinformation,signsorwords of welcome translated into a fewdifferentlanguages.This helpstosendaclearmessage thatspeakersofotherlanguages arewelcomeandvalued

• Find out whether there are peoplewithinyourcommunity whocouldhelpwithinterpreting,eitherinpersonorbyhelpingtranslatekeybitsofinformation likelabels,signsandnotices

THE COMFREY PROJECT 2Sahani*cametotheUKasarefugeein2010,andhasbeenattheComfreyProjectforsevenyears.Shecomesfromafamilyofrestauranteursandchefsin Sri Lanka, and immediately took to organising the daily lunches of the gardeners, working from the small sheds at the allotments or the kitchen at WindmillHills.Cookingwithdonatedfoodsorproducegrowninthegarden,oftenwithnopriorknowledgeofwhatisavailableuntilshearrivesonsite,Sahaniorganisesakitchenandanumberofvolunteercookstoproducefresh,homecooked,vegetarianfoodforuptofortyparticipantsOverthepastsevenyears,Sahanihaspreparedoverfourteenthousandlunches,alwayswithasmile,andwithutmostprofessionalism.Havingreceived herrighttoremainin2014shehasnowsetupherownSriLankancateringbusiness,supplyingsnacksandcateringforcommunityevents.

Case Study 5

gardens.cityofsanctuary.org| 21 *Nottheirrealname

Cultural DifferencesOneofthefantasticthingsaboutwelcomingpeoplefromdifferentcountriesistheculturaldiversityitbrings.Everyonewillcomewithdifferentwaysofinteractingandgrowing food and with their own songsandstories.Thisdiversityshouldbecelebratedbutitisalsoimportantto be mindful of it to ensure that differencesareunderstoodand don’tcreatebarrierstoparticipation.Youmightconsider:• Including a short introduction tovolunteeringintheUKas partofanyinductionsession

• Using clear signage to direct peopleandtoexplainhowtousefacilities,especiallyifyouhavethingslikecompostingtoilets

• Consider how cultural differences mightleadtopeoplefeelingexcluded,e.g.aMuslimpersonmightnotfeelabletojoinacommittee if it always meets inaplacewherealcoholis beingserved

• Seekfeedbackonyouractivitiesfrompeoplefromasbroadarangeofbackgroundsaspossible

• Don’tbeafraidtodiscussdifferentattitudes.Thiscanhelppeopleunderstandlocalvaluesandbeliefssuchasgenderandsexualequality,religious freedom and freedom ofexpression

GenderTherearehugedisparitiesbetweenthe treatment of genders around the world,andgender-basedpersecutionis recognised as a serious global issue. Differentculturesalsohavedifferentexpectationsofgendersthantheones we are used to in the UK. For examplesomepeoplewouldconsideritimpropertoshakethehandofamemberoftheoppositesex,and

some women may feel they are only abletoattendfemale-onlysessions.• Find out whether there is a demand locallyforsingle-gendersessions,andconsiderwhetheryouhave thecapacitytodeliverthese

• Be clear that you do not tolerate discriminationofanykind

• Considerwhetheryourgroupstillsubconsciouslyupholdscertaingenderstereotypes.Whomakes the tea, who does the washing upandwhomakesdecisions?

FinancesPeopleseekingsanctuaryrelyonverylimitedbenefitsandmightbedestitute.Whenworkingwithpeoplewithsuchseverebudgetconstraintsyoucouldconsider:• Fundraisingtocovertransport

costs for refugees and asylum seekers to get to your site. This could be done through grant applicationsorcrowdfunding

• Eatingtogetherattheendofasession. This is a great thing to do formanyreasons,butwillalsohelpprovideahealthymealforpeoplewhomaybeinfoodpoverty.Youcouldalsoofferthemafoodbox to take away with them

• Havingequipmentsuchasoveralls,

wellies/bootsandglovesavailableforpeopletoborrow

• Ifyourunanysocialactivitiesaway from your site, such as a celebratory meal or fundraising event,considerwhethertheyareaccessibleforpeopleonverylimitedbudgets.Takestepstoensure no one is excluded by payingtravelcostsormakingarrangementsforpeopletobringtheir children so that the cost of childcare is not an issue

• Ifyouarereimbursingvolunteersforoutofpocketexpenses,seethesectiononVolunteeringandtheAsylumSysteminSectionThree to ensure that this does not inadvertentlyjeopardisesomeone’sasylum claim

IsolationTheexperienceofbeinganasylumseekercanbeincrediblyisolating.Peoplemayfindthemselvesinanunfamiliarpartofthecountry,farfromanyfriendsorfamilyandperhapsalso feeling unsafe through recent orpastexperiences.Reachingouttoisolatedpeopleandhelpingsomeoneovercomeinitialfearorhesitation cantaketime,butisultimately veryworthwhileandrewarding.

Resource Pack



• Workingwithrefugeeorganisationsisvital.Youcouldarrangetovisitadrop-inorotherspaceusedbysanctuary seekers to talk about theactivitiesyouoffer.Peoplecomingforthefirsttimewilloftenbenefitfrombeingaccompaniedby someone they know from the partnerorganisationtohelpthemfeelconfident

• Providetrainingtoyourvolunteersso that they can act as buddies for peoplecomingtothegroupfor thefirsttimetohelpthemfind their feet

• If you are rural, see if there is a refugeeorganisationinanearbytown or city who would like to come andvisitandconsiderajointfundingbidtohelpcovertravelcoststoenablepeopletocomeregularly

• Be clear what you do and don’t expectfrompeoplewhentheycometoyou.Themoreinformationyoucangivethelesstherewillbeforsomeonetoworryabout!Ifyou

expectpeopletoarriveatacertaintime,wearingcertainclothing,oreveniftheycanjustturnupwhenevertheylike–sayso!

RacismAnumberofourcasestudygroupsreportedthatsanctuaryseekerstheyworkwithhaveexperiencedracismsincearrivingintheUK,occasionallydirectlyfromothergroupmembersorparticipants.Prejudiceofanykindcanmakepeoplefeelunwelcome,uncomfortable and afraid for their safety, so ensuring that it is tackledanddealtwithswiftlyifitisexperiencedatyoursiteisessentialincreatingasafespaceforeveryone.Thingstoconsiderare:• Making it clear within your siterulesandpoliciesthatdiscriminationofanykindwill notbetolerated,anddisplayingtheserulesprominently

• Discussasagroupinadvancehowyou would like to tackle incidences

of racism, how they should be reportedtoyou,whowilldealwithitandwhattheconsequencesmight be

• Considerhowbesttoapproachsomeone who you feel has made a racist comment, and remember thatthispersonmightbeachild orpersonwithadditionalneeds

• Someincidents,experiencedeitheronoroffyoursite,couldconstitutea hate crime. Be aware of what this is and how someone who experiencesahatecrimecangoaboutreportingit.ThereissomeguidanceonthisavailablefromCitizens Advice - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/hate-crime/racist-and-religious-hate-crime/

• Be aware that some refugees andasylumseekersmaybeverymistrustfulorfearfulofthepoliceandauthorityfigures,somaybe farlesslikelytoreportcrimes thatarecommittedagainstthem

NEW ROOTSNewRootsisaprojectinBristolthatwassetupin2009andwelcomespeoplefromallbackgroundstotheirsitebasedonfourallotments.Forseveralyearstheprojectwasveryinformalandasmallnumberofsanctuaryseekersvisitedthroughwordofmouth.MorerecentlyNewRootshavecarriedoutacommunityconsultationandbeguntooffermorestructuredopportunitiesparticularformothersandchildren.Auniqueoutcome oftheprojectisthatanIraqicouplewhowerebeekeepersbackhomehavetakenoverlookingafterthebeehivesandnowproducehoneythatisenjoyed bymanypeopleinthelocalcommunity!

Case Study 6


Resource Pack

VOLUNTEERING AND THE ASYLUM SYSTEMAsylumseekersarepermittedtovolunteertheirtimeforcharitiesorpublicsectororganisations,solongasit does not interfere with any stage of theasylumprocess,suchasinterviewsorappointments.Volunteeringisagreat way to socialise and gain new skills. Anyone claiming asylum is currentlyprohibitedfromworkingbytheHomeOffice.Thereisprovisionforpeopletostartapplyingforwork12monthsaftertheysubmittedtheirasylum claim, but this is only for a verylimitednumberofspecialistrolesandsoeffectivelymostpeoplearestillbarredfromemploymentandanysuggestionthattheyhaveundertakenpaidworkofanykindcouldseriouslyjeopardisetheirclaim.

TheHomeOfficehasguidanceforasylum seekers wishing to work or volunteer,andthisexplainsthekeyelements in establishing whether someoneisavolunteerratherthananemployeeoraworker.Volunteersmaybereimbursedforexpensesincurredwhilstvolunteering,forexample,fortravelandfood,butshouldnotreceiveanyotherpayment.Ifanyotherpaymentisreceivedtherolemaybeclassedasanemployee or worker.

Inordertoensurethatnopartoftheirvolunteeringwithyoucouldconstitutethisyoushould:

• Ensurethatnopaymentismade,otherthanreasonabletravelandmealexpensesactuallyincurred(usingreceiptsasevidence,notgivinganallowanceforthesame)

• Ensure there are no contractual obligationsonthevolunteerandtheydonothaveanycontractualentitlementtoanyworkorbenefits(eitherfinancialorofitemsinkind)

• Beawarethatyourgroupshouldbearegisteredvoluntaryorcharitableorganisation,anorganisationthatraisesfundsforeitherofthese,orapublicsectororganisation

• Makesurethatthevolunteeringbeing carried out is not a substituteforemployment,i.e.fulfillingarolethatasalariedworkerwouldnormallyfulfil

• Ifyouprovidealetterofsupportfor an asylum seeker who volunteerswithyou,beveryclearinyourdescriptionoftheactivitiestheyhaveundertakenandonlyusetheterm“volunteering”,never“volunteerwork”

[FullinformationcanbefoundontheUKGovernmentwebsiteat https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/583192/Permission-to-work-v7.pdf.]

ACTIVITY 2 – GROUP REFLECTIONSpendsometime,ideallytogetherasagroup,reflectingonthefollowingquestions.Dotheyhelpyouidentifyanygaps,orareasthatyouwould like to learn more about? At the endoftheresourcepackthereisalistofresourceswhereyoucanfind out more about some of the issues raisedinthissection.

LocationAre you rural / suburban / urban? Aretherelikelytobemanypeopleseekingsanctuarylivinginyourareaorwouldtheyneedtotraveltogettoyou?Whatarethepublictransportlinksliketoyourgrowingspace andhowexpensiveandaccessible are they?

AccountabilityWhoisresponsibleforyourorganisationorgrowingspace? Isthereanobviouspersontotakeresponsibilityforworkingwithpotentiallyvulnerablepeople? Whotakesresponsibilityifthere areanyproblems?

AccessibilityCananyonejustdropinordopeopleneedtobook?Aretheresetopeningandclosingtimes?Doyouhave limited numbers that you can take forparticularsessions?Dopeopleneedtovolunteerorcantheycomeandjustenjoythespacetoo?

PrioritiesWhatarethekeyprioritiesforyourproject?Areyougrowingonanykindofcommercialbasisorareyoupurelyasocial/therapeutic/communityspace?Howdoyoubalancetherapeuticandcommercialactivities,anddoyoumakeacleardistinction


betweentheseforpeoplewhomaynotbefamiliarwithvolunteering?Ifyou are growing for sale, how do you balancehavingarangeofvolunteersandvisitorsonsitewiththeneed tomeetproducerequirements?

KnowledgeDoesanyoneinyourgrouphavepriorexperienceofworkingwithpeopleseekingsanctuary,ordetailedknowledge about the asylum system? Doyouknowwheretogotofind outmore,orcouldyoupartnerwith someone locally who has thisexperience?

PeopleHowdopeopleusuallyfindoutaboutyourprojectandwhoisalreadyinvolved?Doyoutakereferralsfromotherorganisationsandwhowouldyou need to work with to reach outtopeopleseekingsanctuary?Aretherealreadypeopleseekingsanctuary accessing your growing space,orcontactsinwidersocialnetworks?Whattrainingandsupportdoyoucurrentlyofferforvolunteers

andotherparticipantsanddoes itfeelsufficient?

SafeguardingWhatsystemsdoyouhave inplacetokeeppeopleat yourgroupsafe?Howdoyou safeguardpeople,anddoyouhavesafeguardingpolicies? How do you create a culture that ensureseveryoneiswelcome?

ACTIVITY 3 – PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIESForeveryonerunningcommunitygrowingspaces,beingfriendlyandwelcomingisabigpartofwhatwedo.Whenworkingalongsidepeoplewhocouldbevulnerable,itisagoodidea to consider where the boundaries to this friendliness lie, and in what instances it is necessary to maintain professionalboundariesinordertokeepeveryonesafe.Decidingwhereyourboundariesliereallydependsonthetypeofgroupyouareandthewayinwhichyouworkwithpeoplecomingtoyourgarden.Forsomegroupsworkinginamoretherapeuticcontextitmaybepreferabletohavequiteclearprofessionalboundariesinplace.

Considerthefollowingsituations:• Someone tells you that their

accommodation is unbearable and asks if you know of anywhere they could stay. You have a spare room at your house. What would you do in this situation? What help or suggestions could you offer them?

–Oursuggestionwouldbetobeverycareful.Whilsttheimpulse

NEW ROOTS 2Ahmed*cametoBristolfromIranbackin2007.Hisclaimforasylumfellthroughandwithoutsupporttoputinanappeal,hebecamehomelessanddestitute.HewashousedbyBristolHospitalityNetwork(BHN)andthroughthisstartedtocometothegarden.Heisatalentedcarpenter andcameeveryweekfortheworkdayforaboutayearandahalf. HesaidheusedtodothisbackinIran,helpinghisUnclesonthefarm.Heputhisskillstoverygooduse,buildingthecompostlooandaraisedoutdoorkitchenarea,ringedwithbeautifulbenches-thatarestillusednow.ThroughtheadvocacyofBHNhewentontogetleavetoremain andimmediatelystartedworkasacarpenter.Becauseoftherelationshipshehadmadethroughthegardenhemanagedtofindwork,referencesandaplacetolivequickly.Nowtenyearslater,heisstillanactivememberoftheextendedsocialcommunity-livingwithfriendsoffriendsofthegarden,andworkingasacarpenter.

Case Study 7

gardens.cityofsanctuary.org| 25 *Nottheirrealname

Resource Pack

tooffersomeoneshelterwhentheyhavenoneisverynatural,you should also be aware that if thispersonrefusesHomeOfficeprovidedaccommodationtheywillbedeemedtohavetheirownmeansandmightnotbeentitledtoaccommodationsupportforthe rest of their asylum claim, whichcouldtakeyears,potentiallyleavingyouresponsiblefortheiraccommodationforfarlonger than you intended. We wouldrecommendgettingthemsomesupportfromaspecialistorganisationwhocanadvocate ontheirbehalftotryandimprovetheirhousingsituation.

• Someone asks if they can have your personal phone number. Would you give your number out and what might be the consequences if you do?

–It’sverycommonforpeopleto become friends through volunteering,that’soneofthewonderful things about it, and it’snaturaltogiveourfriendsourcontactdetails.Avolunteerwhoisalsoasanctuaryseekerisjustthesameasanyothervolunteer,andbeforegivingyourpersonalnumberto anyone it’s worth considering whatyourrelationshipistothem.Iftheyaresomeonewhoyouhavemoreofaprofessionalorsupportiverolewith,thenitmaybebettertokeepthatroleclearlydefinedbynotgivingoutyournumber,justinthesamewaythatatherapistwouldnotalsohaveafriendshipwithaclient.Ifhowever,therelationshipisbasedonfriendshipandmutualsupportthengoahead!

• Whilst in the garden, someone starts to share a traumatic experience they have had. You are not a therapist and feel

uncomfortable but don’t want to stop the person from talking. What would you do in this situation?

–Hearingabouttraumaticexperiencescanleadtovicarioustraumawhichisaveryrealriskwhenworkingwithpeoplewhohavehadtofleefrompersecution.Thefactthatsomeoneopensuptoyou shows that they trust you and itcanbeOKtoprovidealisteningear. It is crucial to know your own boundaries and to be aware of whereyoucansignpostpeopletoforsupport–thismightbesomeoneinvolvedinyourprojectoralocalorganisation.Asagroup

thinkabouthowyousupporteach other and whether it would beusefultohavesomeformofsupportorsupervisionforstaff orvolunteers.

Ifyoufeelthatthesesituations,orsome of a similar nature, might cause yourgroupdifficulties,onesuggestionwouldbetotryandidentifyaspecialistadviserwhocanhelpyounavigatetheseissues.Someonelocallywithatherapeuticbackground,or who works in the asylum sector, maybewillingtojoinyourboardormanagementgroup,orgiveadvice onanad-hocbasis.

ROOM TO HEALRoomtoHealisatherapeuticcommunityinLondonthatofferspsychotherapytosurvivorsoftorture.Forseveralyearsthegrouphavemetforgardeningand cooking sessions at a community garden and in the garden of the community centre where they are based. The model that Room to Heal work onisbasedontheideathatsomeonewhohasbeenseverelytraumatisedseesthemselvesonlyasavictim.Psychologicallytheaimistoconnectwith‘pre-traumatisedcapacities.’ThiscanhappenveryquicklysuchaswhenoneveryvulnerableparticipantwenttothegardenforthefirsttimeandfoundmintwhichtriggeredapositivememoryofhisGrandmothercookingitforhimwhenhehadahighfever.Forothersittakeslonger.Oneparticipantsaid,‘ForalongtimeitwasdifficulttocomeouthereandthenIrealisedIcouldallowsomeofthegoodofmypasttofeedhowIamlivingnow.’

Case Study 8



ResourcesSection4

STATISTICS, TOOLS AND USEFUL GUIDES• The City of Sanctuary resources sectionhasawiderangeofinformation,toolsandtemplatesavailableathttps://cityofsanctuary.org/resources/

• TheUNRefugeeAgency(UNHCR)hasdetailedinformationandstatisticson asylum in the UK at http://www.unhcr.org/uk/asylum-in-the-uk.html

• TheRefugeeCouncilpublishesregularbriefingsonUKasylumstatisticsathttps://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/stats

• RefugeeWeekhappenseveryyearinJune and there are lots of resources and ideas at http://refugeeweek.org.uk/resources/

• AsylumAidhaspublishedaguidetotheasylumprocessathttps://www.asylumaid.org.uk/the-asylum-process-made-simple/

• There is a thorough guide for communitiesandindividualshostingrefugeesfromHostNationathttps://www.hostnation.org.uk/guide.pdf

OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN MORE• TheGuardianproduceda360degreevirtualrealityvideoaboutwhattheasylumprocessislike,availableathttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jul/05/limbo-a-virtual-experience-of-waiting-for-asylum-360-video

• TheSurvivorsAtoZseriesfromFreedom From Torture is a set ofpowerfulaudioclipsandresources,availableathttps://www.

freedomfromtorture.org/an_a_to_z_of_poverty

• FutureLearnperiodicallyoffersafreecoursetitled“WorkingSupportivelywith Refugees” at https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/cultural-mediation, and another for volunteersworkingwithrefugeesat https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/volunteering-with-refugees

• TheAsylumSupportAppealsProjecthasafreee-learningcourseonasylumsupportat http://www.asaproject.org/training/elearning

• AmnestyInternationalrunafreeonlinecoursecalledHumanRights:The Rights of Refugees at https://www.edx.org/course/human-rights-the-rights-of-refugees-0

• The City of Sanctuary Mental Healthresourcepackisafantasticresourcedesignedtoofferadetailedunderstanding of the circumstances of refugees and asylum seekers’ livesandhowthesecircumstancesaffecttheirwellbeing.https://health.cityofsanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/12/CoS-Mental-Health-Resource-Pack-digital.pdf

BOOKSTherearemanyfantasticbooksthatofferinsightintotheasylumprocessandthelivesofpeopleseekingsanctuary.Thesemaybeavailableat your local library.• The Arrival by Shaun Tan–agraphicnoveldepictingamansettingouttoseekabetterfutureforhisfamily

• Gervelie’s Journey by Anthony Robinson–atruestoryofone

girl’sflightfromherhomeinAfrica to seek refuge in the UK

• What is the What by Dave Eggers– atruestoryofaboyseparated from his family by war in Sudan whofleestoEthiopiaandthen totheUnitedStatesonapainfuljourneytowardssafety

KEY ORGANISATIONSThe following is a list of some of the keyorganisationsworkingwithasylumseekersandrefugeesintheUK.Dofindoutaboutyourlocalgroupsaswell,whomay run their own training sessions.• Asylum Aid -Legaladviceandrepresentationforasylumseekersandrefugees

• British Red Cross -Legaladviceandorientationsupportintheircentresaround the UK

• British Refugee Council-Supportforresettlementandintegrationincludingtherapeuticsupport

• Freedom From Torture-Therapeutic,adviceandprotectionservicesforsurvivorsoftorture

• Migrant Helpline-Offeradviceandguidance to asylum seekers and refugees

• Refugee Action-Supportandadvicefor asylum seekers including legal adviceandintegration

OTHER USEFUL RESOURCESRefugees Welcome in Parks is an initiativeoftheUniversityofSheffieldwhich has some great resources and casestudiesabouthowourpublicparkscanalsobeplacesofwelcomeforpeopleseekingsanctuary.


[email protected]

www.cityofsanctuary.orgwww.permaculture.org.uk

www.farmgarden.org.uk


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ThispackwaspreparedbySophieAntonelli(SocialFarms&Gardens)andBenMargolis(CityofSanctuary).Thisbodyofworkwouldnotbepossiblewithouttheinputfromthefollowingpeople:Thepeerreviewpanel:Dr.TeresaPointing,DianaTottle,Dr.ClareRishbeth, RagelKammies,NadirNeciri,MarthaOrbach,MaryRaphaely,KerriParkandMickMarston.Thecasestudies:TheComfreyProject,GlobalGardens, The Grange, Growing Together Levenshulme,KushingaCommunityGarden,MartineauGardens,NewRoots,RoomtoHeal,TransitionTownTooting,UrbanRootsEveryonewhocompletedtheonlinesurveysThepartnershippanelmembers:HeidiSeary(SocialFarms&Gardens),AndyGoldring(PermacultureAssociation)andColleenMolloy(CityofSanctuary). Wearealsogratefultohavebeenabletoreproducesectionsofthe City of Sanctuary Mental Health Pack,writtenby AnneBurghgraef,GillMartin,GillNewman andJeffMorgan.

Gardens of Sanctuary Resource Pack...might be an urban allotment, a rural smallholding, a city farm...

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Transcript of Gardens of Sanctuary Resource Pack...might be an urban allotment, a rural smallholding, a city farm...