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.

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Community Sponsorship: a new Resettlement Scheme for Refugee Families

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2018-11-09T13:44:44+00:0021st July, 2016|Tags: , , |

On 19th July 2016, Amber Rudd, the new Home Secretary announced the launch of a Community Sponsorship Resettlement Scheme for refugee families. The scheme aims to open up a new resettlement route for refugee families to settle in the UK, and is based on community organisations taking on the responsibility for planning and paying for and arranging the wrap-around resettlement of a refugee family. Additional guidance for people wishing to find out more about Community Sponsorship can be found here. To be successful, the scheme (and sponsors) will rely on the active support of the Local Authority and advice of the Regional Strategic Migration Partnership. Although this initiative has been announced, the fine detail has yet to be worked out, and Leeds City Council and Migration Yorkshire (the Regional Strategic Migration Partnership) are still working out how this scheme might work in Leeds. LASSN works closely with both Leeds City Council and Migration Yorkshire and we share a common aim of involving people and communities directly in the welcome and resettlement of refugees in Leeds. LASSN would like to see an increase in the number of refugees resettled in Leeds, and will continue to encourage our partners to support this. For the time being, we're seeing how things work out, and we will keep you posted on developments. If you wish to get involved in this scheme, you could follow the instructions in the guidance above and contact Migration Yorkshire for more details.  However, we will update our information as soon as we have more details to share. 

The difference LASSN made in 2015/16

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2018-11-09T13:54:06+00:0015th June, 2016|Tags: , , |

We've updated all the pages describing the difference we make through our various projects Befriending We matched 51 volunteers with 54 asylum seekers and refugees. Most referrals for befriending come from health and children’s services, who recognise the significant impact that loneliness can have on both physical and mental health. Volunteers provide support for about 9 months, although some matches can continue for several years. Volunteers also provide practical support to the people they are matched with: helping people to access health and social care services, to make stronger connections with community organisations and to make friends. Befriending underwent a full evaluation during this period and can be downloaded here. We secured 3 years National Lottery Funding to sustain and grow the project English at Home In 2015/16 we offered tailored English lessons to 140 people from 15 different countries, who would otherwise be excluded from learning English. We increased the number of volunteer tutors to 113, who in turn provided almost 1,655 hours of teaching. Our 6 month reviews with learners found that in all cases there had been an increase in the level of confidence, with nearly all clients reporting that they now used English much more outside the home. By building people’s confidence, we have supported 11 people to successfully take up college courses and 15 to move on to weekly classes outside the home. We've published all our learning materials online so that anyone can use them, and we also keep a list of online resources that other people have produced. In addition, you can download a full Evaluation of English at Home 2013 - 16 Grace Hosting In 2015/16  84 guests spent a total of 1289 nights staying in emergency accommodation – about the same number of guests as the previous year, with people staying on average 15 nights - a week longer than people did in 2014/15. The number of people staying in longer stay accommodation halved to 6 (from 12) and Guests stayed a total of 1587 nights. The average length of stay increased slightly from 40 weeks to 45. Between September and December 2015 we recruited and trained 27 new hosting households - making a total of 49 places that people can stay. Overall, in 2015/16, Grace Hosts provided more than 2876 nights of accommodation: more than 410 weeks, or the equivalent of almost 8 years. Information and Awareness We lobby Government and submit evidence to help improve the situation of refugee and asylum seekers We appear in the local and national media, commenting on issues, and trying to make sure voices of experience are part of the discussion We give talks and host discussions of asylum and migration issues, at community groups, places of worship and in schools and colleges - here's the presentation on Migrant Families Under Pressure that we we did for social care students at Leeds Trinity in March 2016  We collaborate with Journalism and Media students, to help broaden their understanding of the issues, and challenge misconceptions - here's the [...]

NEW: LASSN English Teaching resources online

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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