asylum – Govan Community Project

The Home Office has announced it will extend the ‘move-on’ period of time given to newly granted refugees from 28 days to 56 days.

Govan Community Project Head of Charity, Traci Kirkland, welcomed the news.

“GCP are delighted to hear the news that the Home Office have extended the move-on period for newly granted refugees to 56 days, something that many organisations across the sector have been campaigning for for a long time. We hope this will see less people being forced into destitution as they take the next steps in rebuilding their lives in our communities.

“We note however that this is currently announced as a ‘time limited trial’ and we would urge the Home Office to make this a permanent policy change, to ensure that all refugees are provided with a more appropriate timescale to access their rights and entitlements, reducing the risk of homelessness.

“Whilst this is a hugely positive step, it does not sit in isolation of other policy and process and individuals and families will only fully benefit from the increased timescale if other barriers are reduced, such as ensuring access to e-visas and notice periods are received within the correct timescales, in the right order.”

In March, GCP staff and members of our Ending Destitution Together Group attended the No Accommodation Network (NACCOM) annual conference, which promotes shared learning and good practice amongst members.

The Guardian’s Social Policy Editor, Patrick Butler, was the keynote speaker who talked about the current political and media context surrounding refugee and migration issues. He discussed the important role journalism can play in highlighting injustice and inequality and promoting compassion instead of hostility.

Other speakers included Reneae Mann, from the Refugee Council, Eiri Ohtani from Right to Remain, and Sonia Lenegan, Editor of Free Movement and asylum and public law solicitor. Participants had the opportunity to take part in workshops on themes such as setting up and diversifying housing models, working with people with complex needs, setting up and running lodgings schemes for newly granted refugees , safeguarding support in storytelling and working with the media, influencing in a general election year and building lived experience representation.

Wellbeing was a large feature of the day with all participants enjoying some amazing food and taking part in various mindfulness activities throughout the day.

We asked our group members to tell us the key things they took away from the conference:
● Importance of raising awareness/education
● The power in tackling challenges together
● No one deserves to be homeless, humanity and collaboration is so important
● Planning, mitigation and advocacy are key factors for influencing change

Feedback from our group members on their attendance was very positive and they felt the quality of the keynote speakers was very high.

One group member said: “It was a good experience to attend this kind of conference for the first time outside of Scotland. It was good from a learning point of view, to understand housing issues and case studies. Very practical approaches and we made good relationships with other organisations.”