Newsletter October 2007
ASYLUM DESTITUTION SUPPORT NETWORK
Newsletter October 2007
Introduction
Apologies for there been a gap in contact from Destitution Network - a combination of staff changes, workload pressures and IT glitches has meant that the Network has not been able to be as active as it had hoped. The problem of destitution has however not gone away and we have been working behind the scenes to plan a series of activities and campaigns over the coming months. This newsletter updates you on some of what has been happening. We will be having an open network meeting on Friday November 23rd 2.00pm at PAIH (more details below), so if you want to contribute to the work of Destitution Network please come along and help us out.
Some of the recent publicity includes:
http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.1758646.0.0.php
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article3084346.ece
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6221704.stm
Destitution Network - November Meeting
You are invited to our next open meeting : Friday 23rd November 2.00pm - 4.00pm at Positive Action in Housing offices, 98 West George Street, Glasgow. The meeting will include an update as to the general destitution situation and review the work and priorities of the destitution network. A full agenda will be circulated nearer the time.
Welcome Update
In 2003 Camcorder Guerillas made a pioneering film WELCOME highlighting the problems of destitution amongst Glasgow’s asylum seekers. The film was released on VHS format only. Funding has been secured to update the film and release it on DVD format, along with a campaign toolkit. Work has started on this and we hope the DVD and toolkit will be ready some time in December. Once released it will be an excellent tool for highlighting the issue of destitution and spreading the word about the plight of some of the most vulnerable members of our community. In the New Year we then hope to train a number of destitution network members who can go out in the community to give talks on destitution.
Church Action on Poverty Destitution conference
Church Action on Poverty have been at the forefront of the campaign against destitution - running a high profile Living Ghosts campaign. As part of their work they are organising a series of destitution seminars across the UK. We are finalising the details of an event to be held in Glasgow and will let you know more soon.
Impact of New Asylum Model/Legacy Cases
Delays in accessing benefits, tax credits and NI numbers has lead to an increase in people experiencing destitution when they are granted status - often going for several months with little or no means of support. We would be interested to hear your experiences on this and ideas as to what could be done to improve things. Email us info@destitution.net with your ideas and experiences.
Ongoing concerns re delays in Section 4/Angel properties
Many asylum seekers experience destitution when waiting for Section 4 payments to be processed. One of the providers of S4 accommodation - the Angel Group, continue to receive very mixed feedback - some asylum seekers being very happy with their Angel flats, others being little better off than when they were sleeping rough. One property we visited recently had no heating for 2-3 months and despite complaints being made Angel staff did not take it seriously. This is a problem often raised at meetings, but little action being taken to progress. Again please email us info@destitution.net to share your ideas or experiences.
Mailing List - subscriptions
To be added to our mailing list please email info@destitution.net heading your email SUBSCRIBE
To be removed from our mailing list please email info@destitution.net heading your email UNSUBSCRIBE
