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Recommended Viewing

These powerful films within the Uprising section of the Surviving to Thriving project were made by unaccompanied asylum seeking young people in the UK. Rebecca, our UASC Liaison Worker, writes, “I have watched both Prejudice and Loneliness, which speak very clearly of young people’s experiences here. The films are made to be shown freely, so please share!“

Sitting in Limbo. Rachel, our women’s worker, highly recommends watching this 90-minute programme: inspired by the Windrush scandal, it touches on issues that many of our clients face. Currently (summer 2023) available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

The Real Mo Farah – this documentary, made for the BBC, follows Mo Farah as he talks about his true history of being trafficked into the UK as a young child, and what this may mean for his immigration status and therefore his family life. Please note, you will need a TV License to be able to watch this programme, as it is only available on BBC iPlayer.

In This World – film, directed by Michael Winterbottom
This film follows two unaccompanied youngsters on their journey to the UK

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Recommended Reading

Refugee Boy by Benjamin Zephaniah
Suitable for older teenagers as well as adults, this book is a good introduction to refugee issues in the UK

The Silence Seeker by Ben Morley
A thought-provoking younger children’s picture storybook

The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q Rauf
A refugee child joins a school and a boy goes out of his way to welcome him. Suitable for junior school children

Adam’s Diary: a refugee’s story by Michaela Morgan
A book in diary format, focussing on a child settling into his new life in the UK. Suitable for junior school children

Boy Giant: Son of Gulliver by Michael Morpurgo
Inspired by Gulliver’s Travels, this story follows a boy fleeing from Afghanistan. Suitable for junior school children (and adults!)

No Ballet Shoes in Syria by Catherine Bruton
This book follows the story of an 11-year old Syrian girl and her family, who are seeking asylum in the UK. Winner of the Angels and Urchins Book Award for Older Readers, nominated for the 2020 CILIP Carnegie Medal.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Also an excellent film, a fascinating insight into life in Afghanistan under the Taleban

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Focuses on the life of women in Afghanistan before 9/11

The Other Hand by Chris Cleave
A gripping, and chilling story set in Yarlswood, London and Nigeria

Waterstones gathered together this wide-ranging list of books (which include true stories, fiction, and books for children) in recognition of Refugee Week 2021.

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Education Pack

Please see here for our free comprehensive Education Pack, designed for use in school and colleges.

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Myth Busting

Definitions:

Here is a quick guide to the definitions regularly used and misused

• Asylum seeker: is someone who is fleeing persecution in their homeland and has arrived in another country, made themselves known to the authorities and legally applied for the right to be recognised as a refugee
• Refugee: is someone whose asylum application is successful and is allowed to stay in the host country
• Failed asylum seeker: has had their application turned down and is awaiting return to their home country. It may be unsafe to return and therefore be sometime before they can.
• Illegal immigrant: is a person who arrives in another country and does not inform the authorities of their presence.
• Economic migrant: is one who has arrived in a new country in order to work

Asylum seekers just want to be safe:

• they have the right to apply for asylum in the UK – therefore cannot be “illegal” or bogus.
• they do not come for economic purposes
• the UK is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention on the Rights of the Refugee and therefore guarantees the right to anyone to apply.
• Most refugees in the world have no choice in their destination and only go to a neighbouring country
• The UK system is tough – there have been several recent pieces of legislation that have made this tougher
• Asylum seekers do not get large handouts from the state, they receive 30% less than those on benefits and are not allowed to work
• Asylum seekers are more likely to be the victims of crime than the perpetrators
• Refugees make a huge contribution to the UK.

Other resources

• This article from the ‘Guardian’ focusses on Afghan boys who have fled to Europe. Whilst it was written several years ago it is still relevant, particularly in light of recent changes in Afghanistan
• This clip explaining international migration is an impartial look at what migration is, and the factors that create it.
• This image shows the size of Africa in a unique way.
• Families Together Christmas campaign 2022: on Twitter; Facebook; Instagram

If you have any other books or resources you recommend, please let us know.