Bristol: A city of sanctuary and opportunity

The expertise of people who think in different ways is increasingly vital to humanity as we face existential challenges such as climate change.

This is one of the key points underpinning a ‘changemakers’ project that is rethinking the asylum process in Britain to offer a better future for those who seek sanctuary here as part of a shift that can benefit all.

The work, led by social enterprise ACH, examined local and regional policy effects on refugees who have fled conflict and identified opportunities for positive economic and social change to ensure people could lead happier and self-sufficient lives in their new home.

Following the launch of the Sanctuary to Opportunity report, which covers key areas of housing, health and mental health support and access to work, Paul Hassan from ACH spoke on the Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast about the current environment, Homes for Ukraine and the urgent need for diversity of thought and skills.

“It has been a hallmark of Britain for hundreds of years that we’ve been this safe sanctuary for communities fleeing persecution,” says Paul, the regional partnership manager for ACH across the West of England.

“One of the bugbears for us is this idea of a two-tier system where some migrants come here through resettlement programmes or through schemes like Homes for Ukraine and others come here as undocumented migrants – the reality is these people are coming here as refugees fleeing war and persecution.”

ACH focuses on housing and access to work to help support refugees to lead fulfilling lives in the UK – photo: Himilo/ ACH

ACH is among the many organisations calling for the government to lift the ban on asylum seekers working in the UK while their applications are being processed.

Pilots are underway to allow some asylum seekers to work in sectors where there are skills shortages, but Paul warns this in itself throws up inequities in the system.

“Most people don’t want to claim the small amount of resource they can get from the state but actually want to contribute to the society they are in,” he says.

“It’s always been something that brings a lot of benefits – people coming through that system seem to be disproportionately entrepreneurial, they tend to add value to our culture. From food to music to that ability to think about challenges from a different perspective

“If we are going to survive and thrive internationally, not just economically but understanding some of these big existential challenges such as climate change, we need their expertise and we need people who think about things in different ways – that’s good for everybody.”

Commenting on the new Nationality and Borders Bill, Paul says: “The new legislation will potentially penalise people who, through no fault of their own, are fleeing persecution and war. It will reinforce a two-tier system where those who come from the small number of official resettlement programmes get treated completely differently from those who have not.

“Instead, we need to tap into the outpouring of empathy and support the public has shown the Ukrainian refugees and apply this spirit to all refugees.

“Refugees are here for no fault their own and simply want to put their troubled past behind them and begin contributing by working or setting up businesses whilst integrating into their new home country.”

There has been an outpouring of support for people affected by the war in Ukraine – photo: Martin Booth

ACH has been helping South Gloucestershire Council run its Homes for Ukraine programme.

Paul says there are still teething problems with the scheme.

“The challenge is that you’re only actually guaranteed accommodation for six months over the programme,” he tells Bristol24/7.

“There’s a need for support in medium to long term and not just for short-term bursts.”

Paul says initiatives such as welcome centres, being opened across Bristol, are good as they allow refugees to come together, combatting isolation, and they can also access services such as English language classes.

He adds: “There also needs to be more support for the host. There’s this amazing generosity of the British people to open their homes in the way they have but I think there needs to be more work done to support them.”

The Sanctuary to Opportunity report covers key areas of housing, health and mental health support and access to work – photo: ACH

Main photo: ACH

Read more: First Ukrainian refugees are welcomed into the city 

Listen to Paul Hassan on the latest episode of the Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: