Thank you for reading this edition of Together.
It is important not to forget the lived experiences of people as they navigate the complexities of the asylum system and a cost-of-living crisis. In our Lent Appeal, you’ll hear from Shawn about the challenges he faces and some of the services JRS UK provides, and in this newsletter you’ll find a thought-provoking upiece by Nayla on food insecurity; a reflection from the Destitution team and an update from our Senior Policy Officer Sophie on the Brook House Inquiry.
Yet, confronted by these challenges, there are so many things to bring hope – in this newsletter you’ll also meet some of this year’s London Marathon runners who will be raising funds for JRS UK’s work; as well as Abdul, Ali, John, and Michael, who share inspirational reflections on volunteering. These are some of the things that keep us going.
"Your support and donations to JRS UK's work make a difference to someone's life, because you know that there is someone out there who is supporting you. You feel cared for."
Nayla, JRS UK Refugee Friend
Take a peek inside...
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Championing Change
Page 2
After more than two decades of conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), violence has escalated between the government and armed groups in the last two years. As well as facilitating access to basic survival needs, a primary focus of JRS DRC is education in emergencies.
What we're reading
Page 3
We have many keen readers at JRS UK. For World Book Day in March, we asked refugee friends, volunteers, and staff for their book recommendations.
Nayla's story: accessing food
Pages 4-5
Nayla has been waiting for asylum for 13 years. Throughout this time, she has lived in many different settings, and access to food has always been difficult.
Holistic, ongoing, and proactive support
Page 6
Refugee friends supported by JRS UK face factors that can result in prolonged periods of destitution. Our caseworkers provide holistic, ongoing, and proactive support. There is no one-size fits all approach as refugee friends are individuals and therefore treated as such.
The Brook House Inquiry and detention
Page 7
We are approaching six months since the publication of the Brook House Inquiry report. It reflected problems throughout detention centres that have frequently been highlighted before.
Stay tuned for our forthcoming report on Detention in the context of the Inquiry later this year.
Meet our Marathon runners!
Natalia Lopez
Meet our Marathon runners!
Pages 8-9
Anthony and Colm Fahy
Meet our Marathon runners!
Mark Dunn
A confluence of three rivers
Pages 10-11
In December, JRS UK refugee friends joined sixth-form students at Bacon’s College to host a Christmas party for local older people with Age UK.
Abdul, Ali, John, and Michael came together to tell us about the event, and what volunteering means to them.
Pray Stations of the Cross online with JRS UK
Page 12
On Thursday 21st March, JRS UK is hosting an online Stations of the Cross prayer, inviting you to reflect on the experiences of refugees and forcibly displaced people.
You're invited...
The Way of the Cross, or Stations of the Cross, are a traditional way of praying during Lent. It is a way of praying which helps us reflect on the suffering of Jesus in his passion that he endured to save all.
JRS UK has prepared its own Way of the Cross, inviting you to reflect on the suffering of refugees and forcibly displaced people in the world today, in light of the suffering that Jesus endured.
This webinar will launch Sustain’s new briefing exploring food experiences of asylum seekers in London and key areas for local action.
The London Legal walk brings together law firms, barrister chambers, corporations and organizations, like JRS UK, to walk 10km across London, all to raise funds for not-for-profit and legal aid providers. This year, JRS UK will be walking in support of its own in-house Legal Project.
