Friday, 23 December 2022

Update and Appeal

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Update and appeal

Providing essential humanitarian relief to help refugees rebuild their lives

Donate

Dear friend,


As we prepare for the winter break, our thoughts remain with the new friends we made during the year, those who fled their home countries to find safety somewhere in this world.


I think of the tense messages shared with Vlad, Denis, Nataliya, Anastasia, Halina, and the youngest, Arina, who were trying to leave increasingly dangerous war zones in Ukraine. The bonds of humanity formed under such intense pressure remain. I want to extend sincere thanks to those who risked their lives to help bring people out. It's not easy to be away from home. Our Emergency Relief Fund and the Room for Refugee Programme have brought people out of war and into safety in someone's home. This work will continue in 2023 - with your help. So far, we have provided shelter to over 405 Ukrainian families and children and sheltered over 4,000 refugees since Room for Refugees began. In 2023, as well as bringing people to safety, we are working with the Scottish Government to provide hosting opportunities to Ukrainians in Scotland. To offer shelter in your home or property, visit www.roomforrefugees.com.


Sadly, we cannot provide similar sanctuary to black and brown refugees fleeing wars and persecution in Iran, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan and elsewhere. They have no safe route here - unlike the Ukrainians. The UK Government has effectively blocked off safe routes to them and turbo-charged human smuggling networks. Of course, this approach is nothing short of open racism. Yet the global refugee crisis is set to grow by millions in 2023. It's a universal truth that when you block safe routes, people smugglers step into the void. We need safe routes now.


Thanks to our supporters, our annual winter surgery is successfully delivering direct humanitarian support to hundreds of refugee men, women and children who have fled war and persecution, including those from Iran, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, as well as Ukraine - despite the freezing weather, postal and rail strikes. We provided vouchers to buy essential food items, warm clothes, and small crisis payments for phone top-ups and bus travel. We also offered essential digital tech to help people stay connected. People are incredibly grateful for the support. We delivered support to 328 adults and 202 dependent children in Aberdeen, Perth, Falkirk, Edinburgh and Glasgow. We also provided support in London and Brighton via our referral partners: Helen Bamber Foundation, Hestia, Hope For The Young, Housing Justice Hosting Project, Jesuit Refugee Service UK, Praxis Community Projects, Refugee Action, South London Refugee Association, The Hummingbird Refugee Project, The Manna Society, The Passage and Young Roots. We also support a small number of refugees transferred from Manston Asylum Centre.


In 2023, Positive Action in Housing intends to stay true to its mission - to help refugees and asylum seekers rebuild their lives after a crisis. However, the ongoing cost of living situation is having an adverse impact as more people reduce charitable donations. We know too well that times are tough for everyone, and we appreciate your contribution. Regular donations significantly help us to plan life-saving interventions. To make a regular or one-off donation, see below. If your group or community would like Positive Action in housing to give a presentation about our various projects, drop us a line here.


Thank you, as ever for your ongoing support, we are anxious but ready for what 2023 brings,


Best wishes and kind regards,


Robina Qureshi

Director


Read more about our Winter Appeal here.


See our Latest annual review and check us out in the Guardian.

How to give

Donate

Why we need your help now

  • The asylum system is causing misery. Many would-be refugees are instead being "fast-tracked into poverty - forbidden to work and forced to live on as little as £1.17 a day.

  • Asylum seekers receive less than £6 a day for all their basic needs. Rising food and energy prices have made life more difficult. Those in hotels receive just £1.17 a day. All are forbidden to work. Instead of being helped to rebuild their lives and work or study, they are fast-tracked into poverty. Their skills and qualifications are overlooked. Their legal status means they are stuck in chaotic Home Office queues for years, waiting for their asylum claim to be appropriately considered. Thousands of able, skilled refugees are banned from contributing to the workforce. People must depend on the Home Office and its contractors for housing and support.


  • Our Room for Refugees Programme is under increased pressure to assist Ukrainian war refugees and find safe, registered hosts - especially the elderly - who are now leaving their homes in Ukraine. So far, we have found shelter for over 400 households.


  • The controversial "Rwanda policy" has made people more fearful of the Home Office and its accommodation contractors, for fear it affects their asylum claim. The bureaucratic indifference, delays and unsuitable accommodation have left many with deteriorating mental and physical health.


  • The backlog of people waiting for a decision in the UK has reached over 122K, with hundreds waiting over five years.


  • Even those who have "papers" are often left without support. They depend on humanitarian relief while our caseworkers work to help people rebuild their lives throughout the year.

Donate

About the Lifeline Service


In 2021/22, our Lifeline Service supported 1,737 destitute refugees and asylum seekers needing advice, shelter, and crisis support at crucial stages in the asylum process. Our Room for refugees Programme provided shelter through volunteer hosts for over 4,000 refugees from Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen. Our Ukraine Programme has so far sheltered over 400 Ukrainian refugees. We distributed almost £100K from our Emergency Relief Fund – a genuine lifeline. These life-saving payments are primarily used for food, essential clothing, hygiene products, baby items, or travel required to access doctors, solicitors, or Home Office appointments.


This year's winter appeal has so far benefited 530 beneficiaries (328 adults and 202 children) from 48 countries, including Iran, Syria, Iraq, Sudan, Eritrea, Yemen, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Palestine, and Somalia. The annual appeal is supported by our supporters, individuals, social housing providers, trade unions, the EIS and its branches, the Quakers, the Iona Community and companies. This vital appeal directly helps refugees and asylum-seeking families get a little reprieve during this freezing weather when many services will shut down and strikes are expected.

Friday, 16 December 2022

Winter Refugee Appeal - Donate today

Logo

Winter Appeal

Raising funds to provide essential humanitarian relief to refugee families, children, lone women and men who are fleeing wars and persecution.

Donate securely via CAF, JustGiving or PaypalGiving


Please donate to our Winter Refugee Crisis Appeal, supporting refugees and asylum seekers who are banned from working and forced to live on as little as £1.17 a day.


Our Winter Surgery is underway until Christmas Eve. Despite the freezing weather, postal and rail strikes, our staff and volunteers are out distributing emergency support to 328 adults and 202 dependent children from refugee and asylum-seeking families , who have fled war and persecution, including those from Iran, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.


We will provide vouchers to buy essential food items and warm clothes, small crisis payments for phone top-ups, and bus travel. We will also provide essential digital tech to help people stay connected.


As well as Glasgow, we are providing emergency relief to asylum seekers in Paisley, Greenock, Aberdeen, and Perth. We are also providing support to a small number of destitute refugees in London and Brighton, including those transferred from Manston.


We are under increased pressure to assist Ukrainian war refugees to find safe hosted accommodation (so far, we have provided shelter for 405 Ukrainian families and children).


We know too well that times are tough for everyone, and we appreciate any donation you can give. The ongoing cost of living crisis has seen a reduction in charity donations. Regular donations help us to plan life-saving interventions.


Read more about our Winter Appeal here.


See our Latest annual review and check us out in the Guardian.

How to Donate

  1. Donate securely via CAF, JustGiving or PaypalGiving

  2. We can invoice you for your chosen amount. Just email home@positiveactionh.org

  3. Send cheque payable to Positive Action in Housing (Winter Appeal) and post to: Positive Action in Housing Ltd 98 West George Street, Glasgow G2 1PJ

  4. Bank transfers – email home@positiveactionh.org (Remember to fill in the gift aid form to add 25% to your donation at no extra cost).

  5. For other ways to give, go to www.positiveactionh.org/donate

About the Lifeline Service

In 2021/22, Positive Action's Lifeline Service supported 1,737 destitute refugees and asylum seekers needing advice, shelter, and crisis support at crucial stages in the asylum process. Our Room for refugees Programme provided shelter through volunteer hosts for over 4,000 refugees from Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen. Our Ukraine Programme has so far sheltered over 400 Ukrainian refugees. We distributed almost £100K from our Emergency Relief Fund – a genuine lifeline. These life-saving payments are primarily used for food, essential clothing, hygiene products, baby items, or travel required to access doctors, solicitors, or Home Office appointments.


This year's winter appeal in 2022 will benefit 530 beneficiaries (328 adults and 202 children) from 48 countries, including Iran, Syria, Iraq, Sudan, Eritrea, Yemen, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Palestine, and Somalia, over the Christmas and winter period to help refugees and asylum-seeking families get a little reprieve during this freezing weather when many services will shut down.


Why your help is needed

The asylum system is causing misery. Many would-be refugees are instead being "fast-tracked into poverty - forbidden to work and forced to live on as little as £1.17 a day.

  • Asylum seekers receive less than £6 a day for all their basic needs. Those in hotels receive only £1.17 a day. Rising food and energy prices have made life more difficult.

  • Our Room for Refugees Programme is under increased pressure to assist elderly Ukrainian war refugees to leave their homes and find safe, registered hosts. So far we have found shelter for 405 refugees.

  • The controversial "Rwanda policy" has made people more fearful of the Home Office and its accommodation contractors, for fear it affects their asylum claim.

  • The bureaucratic indifference, delays and unsuitable accommodation have left many with deteriorating mental and physical health.

  • Thousands of able, skilled refugees are banned from contributing to the workforce. People must depend on the Home Office and its contractors for housing and support.

  • The backlog of people waiting for a decision in the UK has reached over 122K, with hundreds waiting over five years.

  • Even those who have "papers" are often left without support. They depend on humanitarian relief while our caseworkers work to help people rebuild their lives throughout the year.

Wednesday, 14 December 2022

Winter Refugee Appeal - Please donate today

Logo

Winter Refugee Appeal

Raising funds to provide urgent essential humanitarian relief to refugee families, children, lone women and men — including torture survivors and those fleeing wars and persecution.

Donate securely via CAF, JustGiving or PayPal Giving


Please donate to our 2022 Winter Refugee Crisis Appeal, supporting refugees and asylum seekers who are forbidden to work and forced to live on as little as £1.17 a day.


Our Winter Appeal is underway until next Friday 23 December. Despite the freezing weather and postal and rail strikes, our staff and volunteers are right now distributing emergency support to 328 adults and 202 dependent children from refugee and asylum-seeking families and individuals, who have fled war and persecution, including those from Iran, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.


We will provide vouchers to buy essential food items and warm clothes, small crisis payments for phone top-ups, and bus travel. We will also provide essential digital tech to help people stay connected.


As well as Glasgow, we are providing emergency relief to asylum seekers in Paisley, Greenock, Aberdeen, and Perth. We are also providing support to a small number of destitute refugees in London and Brighton, including those transferred from Manston.


We are under increased pressure as we support Ukrainian war refugees to find safe hosted accommodation (so far, we have provided shelter for 405 Ukrainian families and children).


We know too well that times are tough for everyone, and we appreciate any donation you can give. The ongoing cost of living crisis has seen a reduction in charity donations. Regular donations help us to plan life-saving interventions.


Read more about our Winter Appeal here.


See our Latest annual review and check us out in the Guardian.

How to Donate

  1. Donate securely via CAF, JustGiving or PayPal Giving

  2. We can invoice you for your chosen amount. Just email home@positiveactionh.org

  3. Send cheque payable to Positive Action in Housing (Winter Appeal) and post to: Positive Action in Housing Ltd 98 West George Street, Glasgow G2 1PJ

  4. Bank transfers – email home@positiveactionh.org (Remember to fill in the gift aid form to add 25% to your donation at no extra cost).

  5. For other ways to give, go to www.positiveactionh.org/donate

About the Lifeline Service

In 2021/22, Positive Action's Lifeline Service supported 1,737 destitute refugees and asylum seekers needing advice, shelter, and crisis support at crucial stages in the asylum process. Our Room for refugees Programme provided shelter through volunteer hosts for over 4,000 refugees from Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen. Our Ukraine Programme has so far sheltered over 400 Ukrainian refugees. We distributed almost £100K from our Emergency Relief Fund – a genuine lifeline. These life-saving payments are primarily used for food, essential clothing, hygiene products, baby items, or travel required to access doctors, solicitors, or Home Office appointments.


This year's winter appeal in 2022 will benefit 530 beneficiaries (328 adults and 202 children) from 48 countries, including Iran, Syria, Iraq, Sudan, Eritrea, Yemen, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Palestine, and Somalia, over the Christmas and winter period to help refugees and asylum-seeking families get a little reprieve during this freezing weather when many services will shut down.


Why your help is needed

The asylum system is causing misery. Many would-be refugees are instead being "fast-tracked into poverty - forbidden to work and forced to live on as little as £1.17 a day.

  • Asylum seekers receive less than £6 a day for all their basic needs. Those in hotels receive only £1.17 a day. Rising food and energy prices have made life more difficult.

  • Our Room for Refugees Programme is under increased pressure to assist elderly Ukrainian war refugees to leave their homes and find safe, registered hosts. So far we have found shelter for 405 refugees.

  • The controversial "Rwanda policy" has made people more fearful of the Home Office and its accommodation contractors, for fear it affects their asylum claim.

  • The bureaucratic indifference, delays and unsuitable accommodation have left many with deteriorating mental and physical health.

  • Thousands of able, skilled refugees are banned from contributing to the workforce. People must depend on the Home Office and its contractors for housing and support.

  • The backlog of people waiting for a decision in the UK has reached over 122K, with hundreds waiting over five years.

  • Even those who have "papers" are often left without support. They depend on humanitarian relief while our caseworkers work to help people rebuild their lives throughout the year.

Wednesday, 2 November 2022

Latest Non Profit Jobs

Latest Non-Profit Jobs Bulletin

Publishing vacancies in the non-profit sector and targeting people from BME, refugee and migrant backgrounds and those already working within the non-profit sector. To target your recruitment and attract more diverse candidates, send us an email with your logo, and text and link  Reasonable advertising rates to a  diverse audience OF UP TO 40K subscribers. Sign up for mailings.
The following posts has become available.
The Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER)
Executive Director

Type: Full-time and Permanent
Location: Glasgow City Centre (Hybrid)
Salary: £55,000 plus membership of Strathclyde (local government) Pension Scheme
Closing Date: Midday, Thursday 17th November
More Info
Positive Action in Housing
Advocacy and Campaigns Project Officer
C. £25,000 per annum
Deadline 12 Noon Friday, 25 November 2022
We are recruiting an Advocacy and Campaigns Officer to join our new campaigns team and expand the reach and effectiveness of our advocacy work. If you want to play a crucial role in ensuring our beneficiaries' problems are heard and addressed, join us.
link for more info
Positive Action in Housing is an independent, anti-racist homelessness and human rights charity (SC027577) dedicated to supporting women, children and men from refugee and migrant backgrounds to rebuild their lives. We believe in a society where everyone has the right to live safe and dignified lives, free from poverty, homelessness, or inequality. The following posts have become available. 

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