Advocate
[to uphold, to defend, to intercede for]
You may have read about the government’s latest proposals for the asylum system, in their New Plan for Immigration (NPFI).
Read our latest blogs on why the NPFI is inhumane & dishonest.
Read our latest report which sets out core principles for a just, person-centred asylum system
Read more resources on the NPFI
To make an impact, we need your help.
Scroll down to see how you can get involved & learn more about JRS UK’s approach to advocacy.
We believe that by working together to promote understanding and offer hospitality, we can make things better for those seeking sanctuary.
Join Souleyman & JRS UK in taking action to advocate for a person-centred asylum system, and creating a better world for refugees. There are many ways you can take action.
WHAT CAN I DO?
"I advise others who are coming to JRS to 'go for it' as well, not just coming to get bus fares and food. It is good to do something for the community as a way to help yourself." - Souleyman, refugee and anti-detention campaigner
Being Human – Advocating for a person-centred asylum system
JRS UK’s report seeks to envisage a just and person-centred asylum system by bringing refugee experience and policy analysis into conversation with Catholic Social Teaching, against the backdrop of new, deeply troubling government proposals for an overhaul of the asylum system.
Contact your MP
Write to your MP to voice your concerns over the government’s treatment of those who have been forcibly displaced. By contacting your MP you will take a step towards opposing the New Plan for Immigration, and holding the government to account.
Accompaniment in Action
Our monthly series of events takes a closer look at the various ways that JRS accompanies our refugee friends and they us. We speak to members of staff, volunteers and hear from our refugee friends. Accompaniment is very much the bedrock of all we do at JRS UK and we are excited to be able to share with you the way this impacts our various projects.
ADVOCACY AT JRS UK: the principles & values which underpin our advocacy
JRS UK advocates for the rights of refugees and for policies that protect refugees and allow them to flourish. Our advocacy starts by listening to refugees’ concerns and then working with them to find solutions.
Our advocacy involves:
- Raising awareness of policy issues that shape refugees’ lives and experience. We conduct and publish policy research and contribute to public policy consultations and advocacy campaigns, working with other organisations, faith-based and secular, to bring about a more just world;
- Trying to create space where people can encounter refugees as whole people with hopes and dreams, interests and gifts, just like any other; and seek to encourage authentic human relationships to grow;
- Helping to transform the public conversation about refugees, exposing the real stories about their lives, including the hardships that they face in the UK, especially during the period they are seeking asylum. We believe it is vital that refugees’ own voices are at the heart of this conversation.
Refugees Call for Change
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‘Refugees Call for Change’ is a group who come together to share their experiences and advocate for change in the asylum system, and the UK laws and policies that affect them. One of the group’s aims is for their voices to be heard so that others can have an idea about what is life like as an asylum seeker in the UK.
LATEST WORK
We advocate on behalf of those we accompany and serve, and we do so with their participation. Our advocacy at JRS UK focuses on issues relating to immigration detention, destitution as these are the focus of our services.
Much of our current policy and advocacy work focuses around challenging the ‘hostile environment agenda’.
Learn more about the Together with Refugees coalition
Watch our director Sarah Teather speak at the Vatican press conference, for the launch of the World Day of Migrants & Refugees 2021
Read our joint open letter with Refugee Action on the ‘New Plan for Immigration’
Read our report Being Human in the Asylum System – our latest report which envisages a more person-centred asylum system
Read the JRS Briefing on the experience of reporting to the Home Office among those refused asylum – September 2020 download here
‘For our welfare and not for our harm’: Report on the experience of destitution and detention amongst those seeking asylum: download here
Invite JRS UK to speak at your school, parish or event
If you are interested in finding out more about our work, and how you can help us work towards a more person-centred asylum system, we encourage you to invite JRS’s Outreach Officer Nick to speak to your community or parish.
Volunteer with us
JRS UK volunteers are integral to our work. Without our dedicated volunteers, we could not help those seeking asylum. There are many ways you could donate your time and help us accompany those who have been forcibly displaced.
Follow us
Keep track of our latest advocacy work by following us on social media. Details of our twitter and facebook page can be found below.
- RT @CaritasWestm: Steve (not his real name) shared something of his experience at our recent @RCWestminster #Refugees & #Migrants network m…
