- jointrefugeeaction
April 2021 Newsletter
We hope everyone is well and looking forward to the Spring as we emerge from lockdown. In the next weeks and months, we have some exciting initiatives planned for the JRAN Network in ways we can work together and support each other. This is your network and we want to make sure that whatever we do meets your needs and increases your potential impact.
The JRAN website is now live at www.jran.uk, where you can read all about who we are, our aspirations, what we do and who your fellow JRAN Network members are. We hope you’ll find it helpful and inspiring as the year progresses.
JRAN Learning & Networking Events
After our very successful inaugural JRAN Forum last August (picture below), many members have asked us to create further focussed events that address the challenges that we all face. Our first event at the end of April will look at mentoring and coaching programmes. We’ll be sharing success stories, hearing from mentors, mentees and coaches and learning why these programmes work. If your organisation is interested in sharing your experience, then please be in touch. We are particularly looking to share the stories of refugees who have been part of these programmes – illustrating the impact that they make and lessons to learn. Final dates and times to be confirmed soon.
From Our Members: News & Opportunities
STAR are campaigning on the Digital Divide. There’s a digital divide and, all too often, refugees and asylum seekers are stranded on the wrong side. We encourage JRAN members to take action together. To help STAR put pressure on phone companies to do more please consider signing this petition.
May Project Gardens seeking venue space
May Project Gardens is a grassroots organisation empowering marginalised groups to address poverty, disempowerment and access to resources and influence. Their youth programme Hip Hop Garden in partnership with Choose Love, supports young, unaccompanied refugees and asylum seekers in London.
They're looking for venues / spaces near Merton, Croydon or Lambeth to host a variety of youth work sessions. They're open to anything; closed offices, cafes, empty houses, music venues, studios etc, for small, or slightly larger groups.
Please contact team@mayproject.org if you can help.
The Bike Project is looking for a new chair.
If you are passionate about refugees and have previous experience as a trustee of a charity then this could be for you. For more information about the role and how to apply, check out the application pack.
The deadline for applications is midday on Monday 12th April 2021.
SIREE in action: We Webinar: Communicate. Connect. Include. 8th April.
Nobody said that changing the world through communication would be easy, but we are giving it a try!
We Webinar is a FREE online SIREE event that offers practical advice on how to drive action in communities with a migration background through effective communication.
The Refugee Employment Network (REN) is a charity that ensures that refugees in the UK can access appropriate, fulfilling, paid employment or self-employment. By doing so, REN unlocks the added value to society that they know refugees are capable of.
If you are a qualifying organisation and you are interested in joining REN then JRAN members are invited to join by filling out this form.
Choose Love
On Saturday 13th February 2021, Choose Love held a 'Love in Action' Youtube event which gave uplifting insights into partner projects in Lebanon, Greece and the UK. These insights were accompanied by music performances from Anoushka Shankar, Emmanuel Jal, Gabrielle Alpin and Shingai. If you missed the event you can still watch below.
Safe Passage are always open to new members for their Young Leaders group.
Safe Passage Young Leaders is a group of young people from refugee & asylum-seeking backgrounds, working together to make a difference and campaign for change. The group meets every week online, to make friends, learn new skills and work together to make change and challenge injustice.
Safe Passage Young Leaders are experts by experience on issues and policies that affect young refugees. They have a lot of ideas and suggestions that those in power need to take seriously, and they care passionately about creating safe and legal routes for young people like them. Find out more
Reminder: This is YOUR network!
If you have ideas or thoughts or something that you'd like to share with the network then please do be in touch and email steering group member, Juliet Simmons at: jointrefugeeactionnetwork@gmail.com. We're looking forward to hearing from you and to seeing JRAN grow and develop. We have set up a Steering Group and working groups which are looking at ways to address some of the key issues that arose from the forum.
If you'd like to be involved in either of those we'd love to hear from you.