On Tuesday 8 October, we hosted our 17th flagship Knowledge is Power session.
Knowledge is Power is an entry-level online workshop which aims to increase knowledge of the UK asylum and immigration system, and to provide people with the tools to navigate it.
The workshops are mainly attended by people who are in the system, and people who support them (from grassroots groups as well as larger organisations).
During our latest workshop, we went through Right to Remain’s resources, particularly the Toolkit. The participants engaged in an interactive activity to test their ability to navigate the Toolkit and find key answers within it.
Then, we took a look at the asylum system as it stands now. Over the last few years, the asylum process in the UK has taken many turns, and it is important for our community to remain updated with its latest iteration. Importantly, every piece of information or activity we carry out during the Knowledge is Power workshops is contained within the Toolkit itself.
This exercise can be quite overwhelming, as the asylum process is complex and far from straightforward. For this reason, we use a number of interactive polls to break up the activity, and always take a break halfway through.
We then went on to consider the differences between providing legal support and legal advice. Knowing and implementing the difference between the two is very important, particularly as the collapse of Legal Aid provision means that many support organisations are stepping into more of a hands-on role with people in the system – it is both an empowering and cautionary exercise to know what non-legally qualified people can do to support someone’s asylum or immigration journey.
There is always a bit of debate or confusion when it comes to the legal support and advice activities – and this is intentional. The examples we use for our activities are taken from real life situations, which highlights how tricky it is to toe the line, and how important it is to be aware of our own limits (and also, just how much we as a community can actually do for people in the system, regardless of legal qualifications).
We received really positive comments from participants on what actions they will be taking following the workshop, including the following:
I will add them to my case and help share the information to my fellow asylum seekers as well
I am going to go through the toolkit to equip myself with knowledge first, then I am going to have a small workshop to signpost… to this precious information.
continue supporting people claiming asylum … at the [Home Office] hotel and use the toolkit. Already done a mini presentation for the men, will do another on the interview next.
The toolkit. Understanding a lot more about the process. I have already signposted two people to the website for support in their journey. Bloomin’ great!!
We look forward to hosting our next session soon!
Discussion: