In our new blog series we will be featuring an interview with different charity partners. To kick-off, we spoke to Olivia Lewis from Refugee, Asylum Seeker and Migrant Action (RAMA), who are one of our newest partners.
Organisation name: Refugee, Asylum Seeker and Migrant Action
Your name and role within the organisation: Olivia Lewis – Caseworker and Social Media Lead
Describe your organisation: RAMA was originally founded in response to the suffering and exploitation of refugees and asylum seekers in Calais during the summer of 2015.
We are a charity organisation that works to support refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants. We are based in Colchester, Essex and support individuals in the Northeast of Essex. RAMA supports a variety of clients from over 100 countries, from single men and women to families. Ensuring that the challenges of transitioning to a new country are overcome by integrating individuals within society, enabling them to learn English and be part of activities and events. Our service is adaptable to our clients’ needs, we can support them with accommodation/housing, education, employment, healthcare, access to legal aid and financial support. We aim to enable people to build safe and productive lives in the community they live in.
RAMA has achieved so much greatness in recent years, we became OISC registered in 2023 which allowed our authorised caseworkers to provide immigration advice, and we received The Kings Award for Voluntary Service 2023 in response to the amazing work put out by our volunteers, the support we have provided to our clients has been recognised by independent businesses in Colchester and RAMA has been the chosen charity of choice for fundraising. We have enabled our clients to be part of many great opportunities such as activity days out, cooking clubs, free gym access and much more.
Who are the people that you typically support?
Our work is aimed at supporting Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants in the Northeast of Essex. We work with clients who have experienced Domestic Abuse/Violence, homelessness and both complex and non-complex immigration issues.
What are the key challenges that those people face?
Refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants face significant challenges when transitioning to a new country. One of the primary difficulties for individuals is securing a safe and stable life during their asylum claims when they enter the UK. Many individuals within these groups experience great effects on their ability to integrate within their new community and experience a sense of normalcy.
Access to education is another significant challenge. We have found that language barriers, diverse educational backgrounds, and limited availability of resources tailored to the needs of asylum seekers and refugees restrict their future opportunities, as proper education is essential for advancement and integration into society. This leads to employment which is equally challenging for refugees and asylum seekers.
Healthcare access is problematic for many individuals due to language barriers and a lack of knowledge about the available healthcare services that can support them. Many have experience navigating complex bureaucratic systems. We have noticed an increase in asylum seekers and refugees with unique health needs stemming from their pre- and post-migration experiences, which require specialized care. Additionally, asylum seekers and refugees face high levels of difficulty in accessing social care services that could improve their quality of life.
Currently, there is a legal aid crisis, which impacts many asylum seekers entering the UK as this leaves them without legal aid to support them through the immigration system. The risk of this is having claims mishandled or denied. This makes what would already be unstable circumstances even worse. There can be an extreme sense of feeling overwhelmed and worries about not having the right support during a time that sets out their future.
Asylum seekers are eligible for financial assistance via Section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act. When individuals arrive in the UK, it is most likely they have no financial resources therefore this support is put in place to assist. The financial support provided excludes any form of benefit until they reach their positive decision, therefore are limited to meeting their basic needs and achieving stability.
We support many individuals who experience mental health issues, and this is very prevalent among refugees and asylum seekers due to the experiences and trauma they’ve faced. This can be heightened due to the stress of their uncertain status and adaptation to other challenges that may arise during their asylum claim. Access to mental health services is very limited, leaving many without the support they need to address these critical issues.
Language barriers are a significant issue that individuals face when accessing all of the above which can hinder social integration. At RAMA we believe that individuals should be given an option to be able to speak freely in their native language and given the opportunity to learn the national language in the UK. Despite learning the national language to enable effective communication, we see this from a viewpoint where it can be challenging for individuals.
What specific support do you provide?
At RAMA we offer support to individuals navigating the challenges of starting life in a new country, providing advocacy and casework support to help people become part of the community. We provide essential assistance to help individuals restore their dignity, including advice and guidance on the asylum process. Our support extends to various needs such as school applications for children, medical visits, referrals to healthcare services, legal aid and more, job applications, English lessons, obtaining furniture for new accommodations and toys/educational resources for children.
We connect individuals with local befrienders and offer a range of sessions in computing, crafts, gardening and many other activities.
RAMA’s goal is to help people establish safe and productive lives within the community.
What is the impact of the clothing gift cards we provide for your service users?
Providing clothing gift cards to our clients will have a huge impact by restoring their dignity and boosting their confidence. The gift cards will empower individuals by giving them the autonomy to choose clothing that suits their identity, personal style and needs. By addressing this basic need, enhances the overall well-being of an individual and reduces the sense of being an outsider.
Learn more about RAMA on their website.
You can view our other charity partners here.
Comments