Newsletters

The national day of action to support this bill is Monday March 21st
The groups are planning actions this week – details will be sent out next weekend – please take part if you can in discussion and/or the action.

NB As noted in Stella’s article, donations of clothing for Ukrainian refugees from the UK are causing more problems than they are solving

.However BIASAN, an organisation which provides advocacy and support for asylum seekers in

Bradford and with close links to the Craven network, say there is still an urgent need for men’s clothing (winter clothing and all -seasons items such as T shirts), men’s trainers, and suitcases for asylum seekers in hotel accommodation in Bradford.

Many of these are refugees from Afghanistan who made their way to the UK outside the formal resettlement schemes.

BIASAN are not able to accept household equipment, beds etc at the moment.

The Leeds Women’s and Children’s group still needs donations of children’s clothing.

If you have anything suitable please contact Charlie Dobson (01756 793626 or 07415 477100).

February 2022

CRSN NEWSLETTER

February has been an important month in that a distinction has been made between Skipton and CRSN membership.

January 2022

Newsletter 9th January 2022

Happy New Year

Event reminder

Thursday January 13th starting at 7.30 pm

Speakers with ‘lived experience’ are from Allies for Justice which is part of Detention Action https://detentionaction.org.uk/about-us/lived-experience-campaigning

They plan to shine a light on the current system and discuss what might be done to improve a pretty uncivilised way of dealing with human beings who find themselves in precarious circumstances..

The issues surrounding detention and deportation are both in the public eye at the moment being subjects of the Nationality and Borders Bill currently, being debated in the House of Lords

This will be a thought provoking session and we do hope you can make it.
Angie has the Zoom link please contact her if you wish to attend – angie.pedley@gmail.com

See poster

In mid-December a small but dedicated bunch took part in a Christmas Non-Pub Pub Quiz on Zoom. They donated whatever they would have spent on drinks in an actual pub to BIASAN & Abigail Housing.
Those who took part really enjoyed it and Nicky Cope has plans for another around Easter.

If you are not on the mailing list you might like to read Stella Perrott’s UWRSG’s January newsletter which includes :-
– a report and pictures of the Upper Wharfedale churches, schools Federation and UWRSG Christmas collection
– an invite to engage in English conversation with refugees

BIASAN STORE .. Judy Rogers shared this message on facebook
Please email Paola direct paola.polla.51@gmail.com if you have items to donate.
Remember goods should be in excellent condition and only items which are needed.

“The store we have is open to all seeking sanctuary and refugees; we accept/collect household items as well as toys, footwear and clothing. A lot has been donated recently and our space is quite limited, so please can people let us know what they are planning to donate beforehand. Thank you again.”

https://www.facebook.com/BiasanYorkshire

Schools of Sanctuary

There are several schools in both the Skipton and Settle areas which have had a good deal of input into deeper understanding of refugees, welcoming newcomers and becoming a School of Sanctuary. Fiona Protheroe and Judy Rogers put a lot of work into these projects and as a result two schools in Craven have that designation. This subject was discussed at the Zoom AGM. It was muted that it was time to continue this work in other schools if there are people willing to do it.

Angie Pedley has been talking to Megan Greenwood, the lead person on schools at City of Sanctuary and Megan is happy to do a couple of sessions for people willing to engage in this. She would do training for volunteers and then another session of training for school and college staff, assisting our volunteers, supporting questioning and plans for progressing the ideas.

If you would like to help with this can you get in touch please? It was discussed at the AGM and there was potentially some interest.

Initially please contact Viv Dawson

Other Information

Care for Cala is along with the Border Force union (PCS) are taking the government to court to stop pushbacks. Pushbacks are the forcible turning around of boats carrying refugees to stop them from reaching a country’s border.

Together With Refugees – an update on the Nationality bill

December 2021

Newsletter 12/12/21

Event reminders… A NON-PUB PUB QUIZ

Tuesday 14th December starting at 7.30pm

Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88323264876

Please start to log on from 7.15pm

Donations requested for Biasan and Abigail Housing.

Pay what you might have spent on drinks in the pub

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/skipton4refugees

Thanks to Nicky Corp

ALL WELCOME

December Thursday 23rd – Carols in foyer Tesco Skipton, 2.00pm-4.00pm.

Churches Together, Upper Wharfedale are planning their annual event to raise money for refugees and asylum seekers. All comers welcome 🙂

ALSO please note *Upper Wharfedale – Refugee Christmas Collection ends Friday 19th Dec
AND big thanks to all who responded at such short notice to the call for vigils
PLUS the link to “Working at the sharp end” – From the Frontlines of Refugee Support with Tina Brocklebank and Phil McCarthy

AND a short report of ‘From the Frontlines of Refugee Support’ zoom session plus Ways we can help support refugees and asylum seekers

New Event – January 2022

Another interesting Zoom event is planned for Thursday 13th January with Allies for Justice
– a campaign group for people with lived experience of navigating the UK’s asylum system, immigration detention and deportation system.
https://detentionaction.org.uk/about-us/lived-experience-campaigning/
It will address their campaign for a fair asylum system and issues around detention and deportation.
More info and poster

Extract from UWRSG Refugee update from Stella Perrott

Borders and Immigration bill

The bill passed its 3rd reading in Commons on Tuesday and will now be discussed in the Lords.
I wrote (email attached) to Julian Smith on Monday, before the vote on Tuesday, urging him to vote against its worst provisions. He voted on the bill in its entirety.

There is probably no point in writing to JS again before the bill returns to the commons but writing to members of the House of Lords is still worthwhile.

November 2021

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