Locked Down But Upbeat Volunteers
On a sombre note, the lockdown has had a serious impact on asylum seekers and refugees. Yet, although the asylum process has ground to a halt, this doesn’t mean that the life of an Upbeat volunteer is devoid of meaningful activity. Beyond the realms of my own somewhat comfortable lockdown lifestyle, for me, volunteering has conferred a crucial widening of horizons in supporting people who are more vulnerable.
The most significant aspect has been maintaining continued contact with asylum seeker neighbours via Whatsapp and Zoom. From a personal angle, I have been able to check in with neighbours to make sure they understood what lockdown meant for them, along with discussing any needs such as food, registering with GPs, maintaining contact with their lawyers and seeking mental health support where appropriate.
Upbeat quickly shifted English classes to Zoom, which have proved very popular, so it was a case of checking that all had been made aware of the dedicated Upbeat Whatsapp number. Support for asylum seekers in navigating through this period has been immense, supplied by a network of providers across Derby.
Food banks have become essential to many people thrown into more severe hardship. Upbeat has been distributing donated food parcels to asylum seekers and refugees living in non-temporary accommodation. It has been great to get involved in this; all the neighbours I have met on my ‘car deliveroo rounds’ have been extremely grateful for the food and at least a bit of time to talk about their situation — and, for one young man, a chance to impress with his guitar.
With so many asylum seekers having experienced extremely stressful journeys escaping from persecution and war, to be in a strange country confined to unfamiliar living arrangements has meant a further layer of complication and, for some, exacerbated anxiety and trauma. I was also made aware of the difficulties for families with children desperate to release energy, see their friends and continue their schooling. As far as possible, Upbeat has stepped in with donated clothes and games for families along with continuing women’s coffee mornings on Zoom.
The sense of isolation and limbo has been extremely challenging for many asylum seekers. However, the resolve and determination required to flee their homes and families has given many the inner strength to get by. I have been seriously impressed by this, as well as the determination of many of the men to occupy themselves by undertaking online training courses in English or IT programming, or else making their often very basic accommodation conducive to home life. Increasingly, it has been feasible to meet socially distanced in gardens and I am arranging a men’s bake off competition between myself and two Turkish men – I’m sure I will be found seriously lacking in cookery skills!
Away from direct contact, the lockdown has given me an opportunity to reflect on a range of issues facing asylum seekers and refugees, as well as the importance of standing up for their rights. Upbeat has also helped with the wider context by providing very timely and helpful training sessions on Zoom for volunteers, with a focus on the work of other agencies in the Derby network, for example DRAC (Derby Refugee Advice Centre), the Red Cross, and Rebuild.
Giving asylum seekers a voice is so important and I was pleased that Einir (Upbeat staff member) organised a feedback session for neighbours to give their take on what they have gained from Upbeat and what they would like to see happening to support them. One Turkish asylum seeker mentioned that he was impressed with this consultation session.
As the lockdown eases, as a volunteer I am looking forward to getting involved in activities that Upbeat may start up again in the ‘new normal’!
- Don, Upbeat volunteer