jonbeech

About Jon Beech

I joined LASSN as the Director in December 2013. I've a particular interest in mental health, ethnicity, and helping people make sense of their world and their community.

Back to Resources Homepage

NEW: LASSN English Teaching resources online

Resource Information







2024-09-26T08:24:59+01:0014th June, 2016|Tags: , , , |

We've decided to open up all our online resources for teaching English to anyone that wants them: more than 800 different teaching resources*. We usually recommend to our Volunteers that they speak with the English at Home Volunteers manager before using them - to make sure that they're suitable - but they're now completely available to anyone who wants them. Written resources: https://lassn.org.uk/teachingresources/ In addition, we have revised and updated our list of online ESOL resources and published a list of local ESOL classes. The expanded and updated Learning English Leeds website [now Learning English in Yorkshire and Humber] is due to be updated in late June 2016, so we're hopeful this will be the last time we need to publish this. *Please note - although we produced many of these, we didn't produce all of them ;o)  

Friends of LASSN Newsletter- June 2016

Resource Information







2024-01-16T11:35:13+00:002nd June, 2016|Tags: , , , |

Here's a link to our online newsletter, Friends of LASSN which we publish every few months. Contents Grace Hosting: "I wish I had time to write something, will a conversation do instead?" Leeds and the impact of *that* picture ‐ a blog about people, politicians and the refugee crisis. English at Home: an evaluation of the last 3 years helpinleeds.com ‐ the new LASSN Directory LASSN online LASSN at your place Befriending goes from strength to strength Subscribe to the Leeds MultiAgency Newsletter And more besides

English at Home: an evaluation of 2013 – 2016

Resource Information







2016-11-29T11:23:40+00:0031st May, 2016|Tags: , |

In April 2016, Catherine Tonge completed an evaluation of English at Home, drawing on the experiences of learners, volunteers, and partner agencies. The difference English at Home makes The number of clients and volunteers have increased year on year, and the project has now reached capacity: the Volunteers Manager cannot support more than 70 matches at any one time, on 30 hours a week. To clients Over the last three years 215 asylum seekers and refugees who were excluded from other English classes have improved their English through contact with English at Home. They have learned at their own pace in a safe environment. They have learned the English that they want to learn. They have improved their level of English, increased in confidence and been able to use English outside the home to manage their everyday lives. Over 40 have moved on to English classes. To volunteers Over 200 volunteers have been well trained and supported to teach informal English lessons. They have found the experience rewarding and enjoyed forming relationships with people they would otherwise never have met. They have helped and assisted clients with more than the learning of English – they have provided them with knowledge and understanding of British culture and life in Leeds. Many have made lasting friendships. To referrers Over 40 organisations have been able to refer clients who could not access English lessons in any other way. They understand the enormous value of learning English to their clients and are clear about what the service offers. You can read the full report here Many thanks to everyone involved for helping to make this project such a success, and the for the enormous difference you have made to the lives of asylum seekers and refugees living in Leeds.

Benefit Gig Raises £1,100 for Leeds Hardship Fund

Resource Information







2018-11-09T11:18:10+00:0023rd May, 2016|Tags: , |

A group of local musicians have raised more than £1,100 to support destitute asylum seekers living in Leeds. Harmony Choir, Garforth Jazz Rock Band, Free Range and Ubunye performed a benefit gig on Saturday 21st May 2016 at the Jubilee Social Club LS6 attracting more than 150 people. The Audience were encouraged to “pay as you feel” – with all funds raised going to the Leeds Hardship Fund. “People’s generosity is amazing” said Ali Mahgoub, of the Leeds Refugee Forum, “and the hardship Fund is needed more than ever. Over the last 5 months we’ve made more than 200 grants to asylum seekers who have no income at all, and who cannot get help from the Home Office or Social Services, or mainstream food-banks. A payment of £25 a week to someone with nothing is literally the difference between eating and going hungry”. “We’re proud to be associated with Harmony Choir. They bring together singers from all across the world to perform, celebrate culture, break down barriers and show solidarity. There are no borders to musical expression, and no barriers to people joining in. If you want to come to meet new people and to have a good time, Harmony is fantastic.” Jon Beech, Director of Leeds Asylum Seekers Support Network and Chair of Leeds Migration Partnership is particularly worried about next winter. “Last year, our volunteer hosts provided 2,876 nights of accommodation to 100 destitute asylum seekers in Leeds. The New Immigration Bill will make even more individual asylum seekers and their families homeless. The Council want to help as much as they can, but even they are powerless to stop the Government from implementing this cruel and dangerous legislation. It’s increasingly up to the ordinary people of Leeds to provide a safety net to frightened people a long way from home.” If you would like to make a donation to the Leeds Hardship Fund please go to leedsrefugeeforum.org.uk and click on “I want to donate.” Harmony Choir meet every Thursday 6 – 7.30pm at the Angler’s Club, Stoney Rock Lane LS9 If you would like to find out more about volunteering as a Host with Leeds Asylum Seekers’ Support Network, please visit lassn.org.uk/volunteers In 2015/16, the hardship fund made 218 payments totalling £5,600.

LASSN appear on Made in Leeds TV

Resource Information







2016-03-29T15:01:13+01:008th December, 2015|

On December 2nd 2015, LASSN were invited to take part in a local TV discussion on Made in Leeds TV. Jon, the LASSN director, joined Lorn Gledhill from Regional Asylum Activism and Ali Mahgoub from the Leeds Refugee Forum in discussing the impact of refugee settlement on Leeds, and the impact of Leeds on resettled refugees. The programme is in 2  parts, and is well worth a look. Part 1 Part 2

5k small sparks funding for individuals

Resource Information







2018-11-09T13:44:01+00:0018th September, 2015|

Unltd have this week announced a £100,000 fund for social entrepreneurs who wish to establish a venture, or develop a new service at an existing venture, to work with refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. Its essentially small grants and support. Eligible areas include: -          Organising & managing accommodation for those who need it; whether in private homes or unused spaces -          Collecting, restore and distribute clothing and furniture; -          Interpretation and English language learning opportunities; -          Organising meaningful voluntary experiences that can help integrate people Link here - https://unltd.org.uk/2015/09/16/social-entrepreneurs-wanted-to-help-refugees-build-new-lives-in-britain

#refugeeswelcome – the Public Meeting at West Yorkshire Playhouse, 15th September 2015

Resource Information







2018-11-09T13:43:47+00:0018th September, 2015|

On Tuesday night, a couple of hundred citizens of Leeds pitched up to the West Yorkshire Playhouse to find out how they could respond to the Refugee Crisis unfolding in Europe. The event was organised by Leeds City of Sanctuary, with help fromTogether for Peace, Migration Yorkshire and  Leeds Asylum Seekers Support Network. The focus of the meeting, was on helping turn concern into action, and to help people find the most practical and useful ways of helping out. Although Leeds has not yet seen an increase in the number of asylum seekers and refugees resulting from the current crisis, we are already home to people from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan and many other countries from across the world. Many families are struggling with reduced financial support, and some are even having to sleep rough. After Ed Carlisle briefly set the international and local scene, Aster went on to speak movingly of her passage into the UK, and the reception she received when she arrived. The big group then split down into smaller workshops – themed around activism, campaigning, teaching english, collecting things, volunteering, arts and faith, health and other topics. The aim of each group was to help people find a way of helping out that suited their skills and interests. We hope each of those groups will feed back and give us updates on their progress. Many thanks to West Yorkshire Playhouse – the world’s first Theatre of Sanctuary – who also offered participants discounted tickets for that night’s performance of The Glass Menagerie. That same evening, Leeds City council announced their intention to help resettle 200 refugees over the next 2 years, and to ensure third sector organisations supporting refugees and asylum seekers receive money to safeguard their essential services.

Grace Hosting – an update for new volunteers

Resource Information







2024-09-26T08:08:50+01:0011th September, 2015|

Many thanks to everyone who has contacted us to offer accommodation through our Grace Hosting Scheme. If you are offering to specifically house new refugee arrivals in the UK, you need to know that it is unlikely that the UK will be taking in any refugees direct from Europe. The Prime Minister has pledged to take 20,000 Syrian refugee (children) direct from refugee camps in the Middle East over a period of five years, and is relying on local authorities to find places for them. That may be with host families, but it will not be a quick process. The UK pledged to take 2,000 from those camps in 2013, and up to now we have only taken 216, so unless there is huge pressure on government to change policy, many offers of help will not be taken up. If you want to urge the government to do more, there are a number of good petitions being circulated. Hundreds of thousands have signed up already. You can find them on change.org , 38 degrees and avaaz People who come to the UK and claim asylum (31,000 in total last year) are given accommodation while their case is being heard. That means that there is little opportunity to accommodate them in host families, except for some unaccompanied minors, who may be placed in foster families. If you are interested in doing that, please contact your local social services for information.  Home for Good is an excellent initiative working with churches to place children in families, including refugee children. LASSN Hosts offer accommodation to asylum seekers whose claims have been refused, and who have been made homeless and destitute in the UK*, and refugees (people who have had their asylum applications accepted) who have not yet been able to sort out accommodation for themselves If you think this is something you can help with, then please complete our online application form, and let us know if you can attend attend one of our breifing sessions on Thursday 24th September 6.30 – 7.30pm Tuesday 29th September 6.30 – 7.30pm Saturday 3rd October at 11.00 – 12.00pm The briefing sessions will be held at our offices in town – Ebor Court, Westgate, Leeds LS1 4ND. Here’s a link to a Google Map: http://bit.ly/lassnparking  Please email Jo Carter, Grace Hosting Manager on [email protected] to book a place. *In the case of refused asylum seekers, our aim is usually to provide accommodation whilst they get help to apply for financial and/or housing support or putting in a fresh claim.

LASSN at your place?

Resource Information







2018-11-09T12:49:47+00:0010th September, 2015|

At LASSN we're tremendously grateful for all the support you give us, and we love to talk about what you help us to achieve. Why not invite us along to your school, or place of worship to explain a bit about what we do, and how we try to help Leeds to be a kinder, friendlier place? In July we visited Garforth School. We were invited to visit by long term supporter and sometime English at Home Coordinator, David Skivington. We went with Emily - a refugee from Zimbabwe - who shared her story with 250 pupils. Emily told a difficult story of persecution, trafficking and modern slavery to the whole of year ten, who then asked questions about her journey, and completed an exercise (based on this useful game about escaping from Syria) where they were asked to image making a dangerous journey from a war-torn country in an attempt to reach safety.    Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected] or by calling 07845 298 047 and let us share some our stories with people you know.

Translate »
Go to Top