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(THE ULTIMATE RESOURCE fOR AfRICAN-CARIBBEANS, IMMIGRANTS & MIGRANTS)(THE ULTIMATE RESOURCE fOR AfRICAN-CARIBBEANS, IMMIGRANTS & MIGRANTS)

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ISSN No. 1751-1909

Blackbright News Magazine

Registered OfficeStudio 57 LU2 0QGTel: 01582 721 605

email: blackbrightnews@gmail.com

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Founder & Managing EditorMyrna Loy

Logo: Flo AlowajaPhotos taken from Google Images

Graphic Design: M Loy

For previous issues go to:www.issuu.com/blackbrightnews

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What’s Inside...?

- Editorial: What to do whensomeone dies unexpectedly

- Where to go when youneed advice?

- Shell-Shocked Britain

- Excellent Tips by WarrenBuffet

- Perceptions & Experiencesof Counselling by Blacksand Asians

- Supporting Child MigrantsRights

- Housing Pathways ofNew Migrants

- Meatworkers AbusedInquiry

- Did you know...?

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ground, beliefs, values, culture and experiences, we

all deserve to feel acknowledged, treated fairly and

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understanding, where people tend to mistrust those

who they do not understand. Individuals who are mis-

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Black-Bright News aims to redress misunderstand-

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3

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(Informing the Vulnerable ,

Disadvantaged and Disenfranchised)

Tel: +44 (0) 1582 721 605

Progress is Partnering with

Black-Bright Community Services (BBCS)

The lack of empathy within the health service seems to

have entered the UK now, especially if anyone is report-

ing to A&E for the first time, but instead of asking about

the validity of insurance cover, they ask for your address;

phone number, age, ethnicity, if you speak any lan-

guages, your blood type, your religion, if you’re a

smoker if you are taking any medication, if you have any

disabilities and this is all while you are rolling in agony.

The inordinate delay increases anxiety and exacerbates

one’s emotional condition.

Why do they need all this information before they treat

a patient? Like any other provider, they need to get paid

for administering services, and if they have not notified

the correct services, they could end up not getting paid.

Of course these technicalities are not evident to a dis-

tressed patient, who might flip a lid if they realised that

the questions had nothing to do with administering

healthcare and that the emotionally unmoved practi-

tioner has been trained to be that way.

EDITORIAL

Gone are the days when you can get someone on the

other end of the phone; and when you do, it is quite

rare to find the person you need to talk to without

getting the runaround first.

There have been many times when I have tried to get

through to service when I have felt desperate only to

get a voicemail or I am transferred from one person

to another. I have sat there so frustrated thinking - do

I have to die before they take me seriously?

When I lived in America, I found service representa-

tives so blase. For instance, I was in a car accident

where my knee was badly damaged. Luckily I was with

my cousin who had comprehensive Blue Cross Blue

Shield Coverage that covered the cost of everything -

but I remember going to the counter, with blood gush-

ing from my knee feeling traumatised as the recep-

tionist asked my cousin so many questions before

looking in my direction.

Is Death the Only Way to

be Taken Seriously?

It is human nature not to plan how to deal with a crisis

before it happens.

Blackbright News, wants to be that helping hand that

prevents you from being passed around from pillar to

post. Isn’t it great to have the information you need in

one place so you know where to find it when you need

it?

Please keep this Special Outreach Edition of Black-

Bright News in a safe place!

The Editor.

WHEN SOMEONE DIES...

We tend to take so much for granted, if someone we

have not been involved in the death of a loved one. So

in brief, this section will tell you what to expect when

someone dies.

First, a doctor must be satisfied about the cause of

death before he/she can certify it and the death can be

registered. If the doctor didn’t see the deceased at

least 28 days before the death occurred, or if he/she

isn’t satisfied about the cause of death, the death must

be reported to the Coroner. The Coroner must also be

informed if the deceased died as the result of an acci-

dent, or in violent or unexplained circumstances. The

role of the Coroner is to investigate sudden and unex-

plained deaths so that the death can be certified and

then registered. If death is unexplained or suspicious,

then an autopsy is done. This can cause stressed to the

bereaved family as they cannot bring closure until they

are able to bury the body.

Once the death is reported to the Coroner, if there are

no complications, the body is identified and released;

the death is registered, the inquest takes place and

then the funeral arrangements.

EMOTIONAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS

When someone dies it is a terrible loss and shock to

their families, friends, and community. Families and

communities who experience such losses often expe-

rience old feelings of hurt and pain as well as deep em-

pathy for those who are most impacted by the deaths.

Often parents are uncertain how to help their teens

and children reach out to those who are directly af-

fected, or how to help their teens and children manage

their own reactions.

How to help a friend or loved one who has experi-

enced a loss

In order for you and your family to support a friend or

loved one during this difficult time, it is important to

know that people respond very differently to traumatic

events and losses. Some may be very upset, cry, yell,

or shake. Others may seem calm and composed or

even numb, cold and detached. Some may want to talk

about the event while others may wish to remain

quiet. Some may want physical contact while others

may not want to be touched. Typical reactions to sud-

den death include any number of emotions including

feelings of fear, anger, guilt, sadness, and confusion.

Some individuals who have endured traumatic situa-

tions, despite how they are feeling, may believe it is

necessary to assure others that they are fine. They may

not want to “bother” others with their problems or

may want to get “back to normal.” It is common for

people to experience mood swings during this time,

and survivors may misdirect anger towards others or

towards themselves. Some survivors may feel overly

dependent upon or become overprotective of others.

Each individual will experience unique reactions and

may alternate among these reactions.

Communicate: Send a message of concern by phone,

mail, or email. Do something that does not necessarily

require a response from the person, as he or she may

already feel overwhelmed by the immediacy of the

event and the tasks they are confronting in the initial

days and weeks following a loss or traumatic event. It

may be tempting to compare their situation to one you

have experienced but it is better to simply listen to

what the person feels and wants as people may have

different reactions from you and may even feel differ-

ently from day to day.

5

NEED SOMEONE TO PLAY

AT A WAKE OR A FUNERAL?

Lady Loy(THE DJ FOR ALL OCCASIONS)

44+ (0) 7957 540 899

Engage in open communication. It is important that you

address your adolescent’s or child’s concerns and invite

questions. Listen to what your children have to say and

invite questions. If you have difficulty answering ques-

tions, it is okay to say that you do not know the answer.

Keep in mind that conversations about the event and re-

lated feelings may be ongoing among your teen or child’s

peer group. It is also important for you to anticipate that

your adolescent or child may not want to talk about the

event with you. The key is for you to create an environ-

ment in which your children feel supported and listened

to, and in which you communicate to your children that

you are available to talk at any time.

Expect emotions. Expect that your children will be expe-

riencing a number of emotions and that feelings will fluc-

tuate from day to day. Even if your child or teen is doing

well, it is possible that feelings and behaviours related to

the event may become apparent in the weeks to follow.

Alternatively, your children may not show any signs of

distress or worry related to the events. Pay attention to

your children’s emotions and behaviors, and talk with

them about any concerns you have about their reactions.

Validate emotions. A great variety of feeling is expected

as a result of a sudden loss. Show your children that you

understand how they are feeling and that they are being

heard. For example, you can say “I know how confused

you are about all this. I feel the same way” or “I can see

that you are very sad.”

Be honest and open. Your child or adolescent may be

more likely to open up about their feelings when you

take the lead and discuss your own thoughts and feelings

about the event. Sharing your own feelings may help to

normalize the experiences and reactions of your chil-

dren.

Seek professional guidance. If you see significant

changes in your children’s behaviours and emotions

that persist or are impacting their functioning, seek

professional help. As parents, you may also need to

seek professional advice to work through your feel-

ings and thoughts about the event or about how the

event has affected your family.

Source:http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/death/when_so

meone_dies_unexpectedly.html

6

Support: Often, friends and family feel a need to “prob-

lem solve” or offer advice. This is often not necessary.

For those who are close to a grieving person, physical

presence and support are usually more valuable. Sugges-

tions as to what a grieving person should have done or

should do now are usually not helpful.

Education: Educate yourself about trauma and the heal-

ing process. Learn about common reactions to traumatic

experiences and about resources by attending seminars,

searching the internet, reading books, or talking to a

counsellor.

Listen: Listen and allow the survivor to talk about the

traumatic experience at his or her own pace. Friends can

let the survivor know that they are there to listen and

give support when the survivor is ready.

Do not focus solely on the trauma: Take a break from

talking about it. Follow the survivor’s lead on when to

talk about it and when to take a break. Allow time for

mutual relaxation and engaging in ordinary tasks and ac-

tivities.

Return Control: By respecting the survivor’s wishes and

allowing them to make decisions, friends can help return

control to them.

COPING WITH YOUR FAMILY WHEN YOUR CHILD DIES

Do not make assumptions. Each individual has different

reactions and responses to a traumatic event. It is im-

portant that you do not make assumptions about your

children’s thoughts and feelings. It is recommended that

you speak to your adolescent or child directly and ask

them about their thoughts and feelings.

NEED ADVICE? WHERE TO GO...

Being bullied OR know someone who is?Luton Youth Service : 01582 548340

(10 yr olds – 19 yr olds)

Child Helpline: 0800 1111Learn Karate (Michelle Austin: 07989 967184)

Problems with Children in School?Every child has the right to an education which develops their

personality, talents and abilities to the full. Schools have a right

to set rules in relation to conduct both inside and outside the

school.

http://www.yourrights.org.uk/yourrights/the-rights-of-chil-

dren-and-young-people/education/school-discipline.html

Counselling Services (Your GP may refer)BBCS Counselling & Advisory Svs: 07957 540 899Cruse Bereavement Care (for Bereaved Adults)

Luton: 01582 595 300

Relate: 01234 356 350

Counselling for those experiencing the impact of change,

loss and bereavement

Talking Therapies: 01582 456 677

Crisis Response Team: 01582 548 800 (preventing hos-

pital admission)

Death of a Loved One Bedford Bereavement Services: 01234 353 701

(monthly group meetings at Norse Road Crematorium)

Contact: Cathy Appleby

Bedford Hospital: 01234 355 122 x 4621

CHUMS – Child Bereavement, Trauma & Wellbeing Serv-

ice: 01525 863 924 (Offering support to children, young

people, their parents and carers)

The Compassionate Friend: 0845 123 2304 or 01767

689 781(Supporting Bereaved Parents)

Luton & Dunstable Hospital: 01582 491 166

(There is a Macmillan Unit for Cancer Patients) also

They provide information and support for those affected

by post-mortem procedures)

(ask for Margaret Malcolm or Barbara in Bereavement

Support)

Keech Hospice Care: 01582 492 339 ask for Jeff Lew-

cock or Steve Andrews

Road Victims Trust: 01234 843 345

A support service for anyone bereaved by a road collision

Samaritans UK: 08457 909090

Emotional Distress, Despair, Feeling Suicidal

Tel: 01234 211 211 (Bedford)

Tel: 01582 720 666 (Luton)

Sands: 07900 106 543 (if a baby has died through mis-

carriage, still birth or neonatal death, i.e. a baby who is

less than 28 days old)

Sue Ryder Bereavement Service: 01767 642 429

(supporting families and friends following a death at St

John’s Hospice following terminal illness)

Victim Support: 01582 723 779 (Luton) 01234

844 281 (Bedford) Offers support to those be-

reaved by homicide (murder) or who have been af-

fected by crime

DebtCitizens Advice Bureau : 0844 245 1285

Luton Rights: 01582 453 372

Domestic Violencewww.luton.gov.uk/safefguardingadults

Luton Police Station 01582 401 212

Women’s Aid: 01582 547124

Office of Public Guardian 0845 330 2900

Stepping Stones: 01582 457 114

Get Connected: 0808 808 4994

Concerns about a vulnerable adult: 01582 547

659 (9-5) or 08702 385 465 other times.

DrugsStepping Stones : 01582 457 114

Luton Drug and Alcohol Partnership (LDAP)

Tel: 01582 709231

Luton alcohol Addiction Treatment: 0800

0322 880 (From outside the UK, call +44

1721 722 763

FIRE/POLICE/AMBULANCEE

EMERGENCY ONLY: 999 OR 112Call 111: if not serious enough for 999

Luton Police: 01582 401 212

Witnessed a Violent Crime: 101

Housing IssuesLuton Housing Advice: 01582 546 000

Luton Rights: 01582 453372.

Luton’s All Women’s Centre: 01582 416 783

Homeless? “Shelter” Call Free: 0808 800 4444

Eviction: Luton Law Centre: 01582 481 000

Legal IssuesEligible for legal aid? Tel: 0845 345 4345

https://www.gov.uk/civil-legal-advice

Luton Law Centre: 01582 481 000

www.lawjustanswer.co.uk

Welfare Benefits

Luton Law Centre: 01582 481000,

Luton Rights: 01582 453372

Work Related Problems? Call Luton Rights or

Citizens Advice Bureau: 0844 245 1285

to spark a truly overwhelming down-turn in the econ-

omy is not clear, though one thing is blatantly clear to

the point of it being palpable and that is the effect it is

having on our young adults. So this is a two-tier analysis.

On the one hand we are told constantly that our young

people are the future and so it is necessary to nurture

their academic, employment and career growth with the

25-50 something’s contributing in their stabilising of the

economy though what we are really seeing is a clear ero-

sion of this enduring ethos.

A recent Guardian article chimed in over the state of our

youth’s future by saying that ‘Two thirds of young peo-

ple believe the economic downturn will cast a shadow

over their job prospects for years to come. A survey of

nearly 6000 13-25year olds revealed that while 85% of

under 17s polled were confident that their education

had prepared them well for employment, the figure

fell to only 53% among the over 17’s, findings in a poll

for the education charity. Edge, will add to fears that the

young are bearing the brunt of the UK’s economic diffi-

culties, with recent figures showing that 40% of those

out of work by the end of the year are expected to be

under the age of 25, while a million 18-to-24 year-olds

are currently not in education, employment or train-

ing.’

It would appear to be a post-apocalyptic testament to

the failings of a society pre-occupied with dragging itself

away from a self-imposed debt foisted upon it by the

powers that be. But then that would be clearly letting

the powers- that- be off the hook with an unhealthy

caveat emptor; if you will, implemented by stealth, like

a leaked dossier on the condition of our state-run -

schools. I feel it goes deeper than this initial offering and

to this mix I add my second tier as now there is a new

outcry sitting uncomfortably alongside a forgotten dis-

affected youth and the globalisation of these protracted

thoughts. That of the traditional stabilisers of the econ-

omy the 25-50 something’s being put out ‘to grass’ pre-

maturely by a government more focused on the EU’s8

Artist is Raymond Watson, Ireland

Recently Mervin King; Governor of the Bank of England

stated “economic recovery is fragile” suggesting that a

‘double-dip recession in an already economically shell-

shocked Britain rocking back on its heels, may not be far

off. Fortunately, I am old enough to remember a time

when inflation and the cost of living effectually balanced

each other out; where dietary essentials did not warrant

a place in the ‘exorbitant because of costly genetically

modified additions via over-zealous farmers’ and target-

driven supermarkets looking to make an even bigger

profit out of the common man.

Remember a time when a disaffected youth, still very

much influential because of their angst ridden vocalisa-

tions, free-thinking state and sheer belief by concerted

belief in an alternative socio-economic infrastructure,

shaped economically the Britain we see today.

The 60’s, 70’s and 80’s saw the golden years of growth

take hold and mould a different type of financial mind-

set. One where a unified strive towards financial ho-

mogeny across sex, class and race was a true melting pot

for people to create entrepreneurial heaven and claim a

piece of the pie. What exactly has happened since then

9

daily machinations to create a state detrimental to nur-

turing of the free voice in favor of eliminating institu-

tions and organisations specifically formed to aid the

mature back into full-time education and real work, not

government aided schemes designed to create a false

picture of the realities of our collected situation eco-

nomically.

When we see a completely new drive in favour of aiding

the 25-50 something’s in their quest to not only remain

valuable members of society enabling them to support,

nurture and guide our young to a more satisfying place

educationally, economically and career-wise we will

come to see a healthy reflection of what our society is

really all about. Our economy needs the young to pros-

perat the highest level, it needs realistic, holistic guides,

though most importantly it needs the government to

value it more and build a new socio-economic infrastruc-

ture to support its young’s ambitions, no matter what

they be.

© Syandene.

Perceptions and Experiences ofCounselling Services among

Blacks & Asians

Despite increasing recognition of thevalue of counselling in supporting mentalwell-being, and the rapid expansion ofsuch services, uptake by black people re-mains low. This study, carried out by theScottish Ethnic Minorities Research Unitin Edinburgh College of Art/Heriot WattUniversity, evaluated the accessibilityand appropriateness of counselling pro-vision in the voluntary sector based onthe accounts of Asian people.

Awareness of counselling among people whohad not used the service was low, although allwere experiencing stress, anxiety and depres-sion. When informed about the nature of theservice, many felt it would be useful since in-formal support available to them was limitedor constrained by other issues.

Most people who had used a counselling serv-ice had done so after major life events such asbereavement, marital breakdown and redun-dancy. Most found that counselling had a verypositive impact: it provided time and a safespace to explore their circumstances and feel-ings, to build self-esteem and develop copingstrategies.

Both clients and non-clients of counselling ex-pected counsellors to enable them to workthrough their feelings and problems, and totreat them with respect, as equals. Their mainpreferences were to be consulted on thechoice of counsellor and language used. Thegender, age and ethnicity of the counsellorwere important considerations for most peo-ple, but not always in ways that conformed to

professional assumptions.Generally, agencies’ ability to provide clients withchoice was limited. The tendency of most main-stream agencies to provide counselling only inEnglish was worrying, given the very limitednumber of black-led agencies providing coun-selling.

Black-led agencies stressed the importance ofpossessing a deep understanding of the racial andcultural background of their clients. In contrast,most mainstream agencies tended to trust thatissues about race or religion would emerge incounselling sessions and that counsellors wouldlearn the significance of these issues from theirclients.

Few mainstream agencies involved in this studyhad specifically targeted black communities inpublicising their services. Some were wary of cre-ating demand they could not meet due to lack ofcapacity, or lack of confidence in dealing withblack clients.Joseph

Improving counselling services for blackpeople

The following strategies by counselling providers– and those who fund them – would increase theaccessibility and appropriateness of counsellingfor black people. The full report also sets out clearrecommendations, questions and suggestionsaimed at service providers, potential referrers(e.g. GPs, social workers), community leaders,training bodies and funders on how to improveaccess and appropriateness. Increasing accessto counselling: increasing the number of externalreferrals by liaising with agencies or professionalswhose work brings them into contact with blackpeople; encouraging a greater number of self-re-ferrals through developing a targeted outreachand publicity strategy; providing more flexibleservices e.g. drop-in services, surgeries in black-led agencies. Increasing appropriateness ofcounselling: increasing the number of trainedcounsellors from diverse communities by provid-ing financial support for training; increasing cul-

tural sensitivity of existing counsellors throughadequate training and by involving black counsel-lors or professionals with relevant experience;collaborating with and learning from agencieswith relevant expertise. Reviewing service pro-vision: carrying out ethnic monitoring; maintain-ing contact with black clients who have completedcounselling to examine the long term impact ofthe service; organising focus group discussionswith black clients to obtain feedback.

Black communities too have a role in promotingawareness and acceptability of counselling serv-ices by examining their own attitudes to mentalhealth and encouraging people from their com-munities to seek appropriate support with psy-chological difficulties and distress.

Blackbright-Community Services Limitedprovides indigenous Counselling & Advisory Serv-ices for African-Caribbean’s experiencing distressand confusion. Tel: 01582 721 605

About the study

Exploratory focus group discussions were organised at the be-

ginning and end of the fieldwork with users of two black or-

ganisations which provide counselling. In-depth interviews

were conducted with 38 Asian people, who were identified

through liaising with black-led organisations. Nineteen of the

participants had identified themselves as experiencing anxiety,

depression or stress while the rest had been for counselling.

Ten counselling providers in the voluntary sector in Glasgow,

Leeds, Bristol and London were identified, including those in-

tended to serve the whole population (mainstream) and those

which catered specifically for the needs of one or more minor-

ity ethnic groups (black-led). Additionally, the policy and prac-

tices of three umbrella organisations with strategic

responsibility for the planning and provision of services were

also examined.

The cooperation of Saheliya in Edinburgh and EACH (Ethnic

Alcohol Counselling in Hounslow) in London was extremely

valuable in ensuring that users were involved at key stages of

the research.

Published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation is an independ-

ent, non-political body which has supported this project as

part of its programme of research and innovative development

projects, which it hopes will be of value to policy-makers,

practitioners and service users. The findings presented here,

however, are those of the authors and not necessarily those of

the Foundation.(March 2001)

The full report, A suitable space: Improving counselling

services for Asian people by Gina Netto, Sabine Gaag and

Mridu Thanki with Liz Bondi and Moira Munro, is published

for the Foundation by The Policy Press (ISBN 1 86134 317 5,

price £10.95).

FURTHER INFORMATION FROM THE ROWNTREE

FOUNDATION.10

OUTSOURCING ABUSE?

Supporting child migrants rightsDianne Abbott (Extracted)

There have been a number of shocking reports concerning the sit-

uation of child migrants living in this country. I see a lot of chil-

dren and young people who come to my advice surgery, on their

own or with their parents, and who are in desperate need of help.

These children are often confused about their rights, and some

have been mistreated by the Home Office or other authorities in

this country. It seems that often it is forgotten that these are chil-

dren first, and immigrants second.

I tabled two Early Day Motions illustrating different ways in

which the rights of child migrants are violated in the UK. In May

2009.. Then in June I tabled a motion regarding the age determi-

nation process that unaccompanied child migrants must go

through when applying for residency. There have been many re-

ports suggesting that this process is carried out in an insensitive

and inaccurate and leads to many under-18s being treated as

adults when they really need someone to look after them.

In February 2010 I continued the campaign against child deten-

tion by participating in a debate on the Yarl’s Wood detention fa-

cility where I condemned the treatment of all migrants there,

particularly the children. Healthcare was an issue I drew particu-

lar attention to, as it is well documented that detainees especially

female detainees, have very little confidence in the standard of

healthcare on offer. Prior to this debate I had tabled an early day

motion highlighting the harmful psychological effects of child

detention and also highlighting the excessive length of time some

child detainees have been held for.

I am now keen to extend my work on child migrants in the UK

by continuing to raise awareness of this important issue and by

pressing Ministers to change their approach to children and im-

migration.

I am disappointed that the Coalition government has decided to

postpone its decision to close family wings in detention centres

until at least March 2011. I believe we need to end detention

sooner rather than later.

http://www.dianeabbott.org.uk/campaigns/child-migrants.aspx

THE HOUSING PATHWAySOF NEW IMMIGRANTSDavid Robinson, Kesia Reeve and Rionach Casey

This research explores the arrival experiences and settle-

ment stories of new immigrants. It focuses on the housing

experiences of new immigrants and considers the conse-

quences of their arrival for local housing markets and neigh-

bourhoods.

Key points

The arrival experiences of new immigrants were largely de-

termined by their immigration status, associated legal rights

and related opportunities. This led to clear distinctions in the

housing situations of different groups. For example, asylum

seekers were initially reliant on the National Asylum Support

Service for accommodation and subsequently moved into so-

cial housing, once granted leave to remain. In contrast, the

restricted rights of migrant workers to welfare benefits meant

they were reliant on the private rented sector for a place to

live

New immigrants tended to fill voids in the housing stock left

behind or avoided by other households. The result was the

concentration of new immigrants in particular sectors of the

local housing market and in specific neighbourhoods.

Most new immigrants moved into temporary accommodation

upon first arriving in the UK. Poor living conditions, lack of pri-

vacy and concerns about safety and security were often as-

sociated with temporary accommodation and were

sometimes endured for many months.

Some new immigrants reported problems of insecurity and

poor living conditions in more permanent, long-term accom-

modation. Basic material needs were often not satisfied and

security of tenure proved to be an illusion, with people strug-

gling to maintain, and in some cases losing, their place in the

housing system and becoming homeless. The new immi-

grants did not live in isolated ethnic clusters and their resi-

dential settlement patterns were rarely the outcome of

self-segregating tendencies. They quickly developed an af-

filiation with the place where they lived, which resulted in

many wanting to stay in the neighbourhood where they first

settled.

Where new immigrants live was found to be an important de-

terminant of settlement experiences. Problems, including ha-

rassment and abuse, were found to be more extreme in

neighbourhoods with little previous history of accommodating

diversity and difference.

Over time, some new immigrants were able to exercise

greater choice about where they lived, as they secured new

rights and resources. However, exercising housing choice

was often dependent upon the support and assistance of

friends, relatives and community-led services. November

2007

Background

For all the heated debate about the impacts and conse-

quences of new immigration in the UK, surprisingly little is

known about the realities of life for new immigrants. This has

not stopped media speculation about the motives of new im-

migrants, the priorities of statutory agencies and service

providers and the consequences for long-standing residents.

Much of this increasingly divisive debate has focused on the

issue of housing and questions about who gets what and

why, and the knock-on effects for local neighbourhoods, in

terms of population change, community relations and sus-

tainability.

This study ventures beyond speculation to explore the early

settlement stories of new immigrants, with a particular focus

on their housing experiences during the first five years of set-

tlement in the UK and the consequences for local housing

markets and neighbourhoods.

Attention centres on the sequence of dwellings that new im-

migrants occupy during the first five years of settlement, and

their experiences while living in these different situations.

Fieldwork involved in-depth, qualitative interviewing with four

groups of new immigrants in the city of Sheffield – Liberian,

Pakistani, Polish and Somali – with different identities (eth-

nicity, religion, nationality and race) and distinct histories of

settlement in the city, who have arrived into the UK via differ-

ent routes and with different packages of associated legal

rights.

Experiences on arrival

The housing problems that the new immigrants encountered

in temporary accommodation – lack of privacy, freedom and

control, poor living conditions, insecurity, safety concerns –

reflect dominant themes in the extensive literature on expe-

riences of homelessness in the UK. The problems they en-

countered in more secure, long-term accommodation –

restricted choice in the social rented sector, the corrosive ef-

fect of racial harassment, problems of insecurity and home-

lessness, poor conditions in houses in multiple occupation

(HMO), and overcrowding in the owner-occupied sector – re-

flect familiar themes in the extensive evidence base regard-

ing minority ethnic housing experiences in the UK.

The housing circumstances and experiences of the new im-

migrants interviewed might be familiar, but their opportunity

to effect a change was found to be distinct and different from12

a temporary situation, but a longer term commitment. At this

point, they often became dissatisfied with the accommoda-

tion provided by the private rented sector and, in particular,

by shared accommodation, and they developed preferences

for particular neighbourhoods, which began to inform their

residential choices. In contrast, some refugees appeared to

be keen on a period of stability, having finally achieved a po-

sition of relative security. Their long-term housing objectives

were skewed in favour of satisfying immediate priorities in-

cluding education, employment and family reunion, although

harassment had forced some refugee households to look to

move.

The importance of place

The new immigrants had little choice of what housing and

which neighbourhoods they lived in during the early years of

settlement. Their residential situations were dominated by

constraining factors and often bore little relation to the settle-

ment patterns of long-standing residents – for instance, new

Somali immigrants were allocated accommodation on es-

tates on the southern periphery of Sheffield, well away from

the established Somali population. Where new immigrants

were living in clusters this tended to be the consequence of

the common constraints they had encountered in the local

housing market, reinforced by the problems of abuse and ha-

rassment that many new immigrants had encountered living

beyond established areas of minority ethnic settlement.

New immigrants quickly developed an affiliation for the neigh-

bourhood where they first settled upon arrival in the city, and

this served to tie them to these areas. Some Liberian respon-

dents, for example, remained committed to their local neigh-

bourhood despite problems with racial harassment. Having

made an investment in the neighbourhood – becoming famil-

iar with the local environment, services and facilities and de-

veloped friendships and associations – they were loathed to

‘start again’ somewhere new..

About the project

The project team worked in partnership with six community

researchers to complete in-depth interviews with 39 new im-

migrants living in Sheffield during 2006 and 2007. Interviews

were conducted with 10 Liberian, 10 Pakistani, 10 Polish and

9 Somali new immigrants.

The research was qualitative in its approach and design, in-

volving a combination of semi-structured one-to-one inter-

views and ‘futures’ workshops with executive and

non-executive councillors, council officers and individuals

from community organisations. In total, 65 people partici-

pated in the research.

other disadvantaged groups. The system of constraints within

which the new immigrants made choices about their housing

was complex and tightly bound, and their scope to act to im-

prove their situation was severely limited. In addition to re-

stricted legal rights and limited resources, the new immigrants

had arrived in the UK with little understanding of the subtleties

of the housing system and were still getting to grips with issues

such as how to access different tenures. They were also rarely

skilled players of the welfare system.

Engaging with the housing system

The immigration status and associated rights of new immi-

grants served to root their early housing careers within partic-

ular sectors of the housing system. The migrant workers

interviewed were relying on the private rented sector, refugees

had entered social housing and new immigrants arriving in the

UK on a spouse visa had moved into the housing situation oc-

cupied by their spouse (typically owner-occupation).

The settlement patterns of respondents tended to reflect the

housing actions and residential mobility of others, with the new

immigrants filling voids in the housing stock left behind or

avoided by other households. Which particular gap they filled

within the local housing market depended upon the particular

rights and opportunities at their disposal and the constraints

within which choices were made. These included financial con-

straints in the private sector and the rules governing the allo-

cation of housing in the social rented sector.

Refugees have a right of access to social housing, but have

little opportunity to exercise choice in the allocation process.

They were typically in immediate and desperate need of ac-

commodation and therefore unable to wait for a tenancy in a

preferred location. As a result they tended to move into the

most readily available and easily accessible accommodation.

In Sheffield this was low-demand or difficult to let housing in

unpopular neighbourhoods. Clusters of new immigrants are

therefore living on traditional white British working-class es-

tates on the periphery of the city, which have little or no history

of accommodating difference or living with difference (new con-

tact zones of immigration).

In the early stages of settlement, migrant workers have no right

of access to social housing. The migrant workers interviewed

had therefore been drawn to neighbourhoods with a relatively

large private rented sector.

Through time, as new rights were secured and resources ac-

cumulated, the new immigrants became more active within the

housing system. A frequent motivation for migrant workers to

move was the realisation that residence in the UK might not be13

Meat workers abused, Inquiry Agency and migrant workers employed by meat and poultry

firms suffer “mistreatment and exploitation”, an official inquiry

has revealed

.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said it un-

covered “widespread evidence” of physical and verbal abuse

and lack of proper health and safety protection, while workers

often have little knowledge of their rights.

Migrant workers are most affected, but British agency employ-

ees face similar mistreatment, with many people afraid to raise

concerns because they fear they will be sacked.

The commission said its inquiry, launched in 2008, uncovered

frequent breaches of the law and licensing standards in meat

processing factories, some of which supplied the UK’s biggest

supermarkets, as well as at employment agencies. The com-

mission made a series of recommendations aimed at improving

recruitment practices and working conditions, as well as helping

employees raise concerns.

A third of permanent workers and two-thirds of agency workers

in the industry are migrants, while at one in six meat processing

sites involved in the study every agency worker hired in the past

year was a migrant worker. The commission said this was partly

due to difficulties in recruiting British workers for physically-de-

manding, low-paid work.

More than eight out of 10 of 260 workers who gave evidence to

the commission said agency workers were treated worse than

directly-employed staff.

One in five workers said they had been pushed, kicked or had

things thrown at them by line managers and a third revealed

they had experienced or witnessed verbal abuse, often on a

daily basis. Workers also claimed they had been refused per-

mission to go to the toilet, and one in four told the commission

that pregnant workers had been mistreated, including the instant

dismissal of agency workers who announced they were having

a baby.

The commission said it also found examples of firms which

treated all workers with respect and dignity.

Neil Kinghan, director general of the EHRC, said: “The commis-

sion’s inquiry reveals widespread and significant ill-treatment in

the industry. We have heard stories of workers subjected to bul-

lying, violence and being humiliated and degraded by being de-

nied toilet breaks. Some workers feel they have little choice but

to put up with these conditions out of economic necessity. Oth-

ers lack the language skills to understand and assert their

rights.”

The Association of Labour Providers said: “The recommenda-

tions merit careful study by government, regulators, supermar-

kets, labour providers and labour users. Some of the

recommendations, such as paying workers for travelling time

and engaging workers on contracts of employment rather than

contracts for services, are not possible unless there is a com-

mitment from retailers and labour users to meet such costs, and

past experience suggests that this is unlikely.”

Source: Luton on Sunday

http://www.luton-dunstable.co.uk/Home/Meat-workers-

abused-inquiry-finds-0-16981.xnf

14

DID YOU KNOW:The government has confirmed today that

the Public Lending Right body will cease to

exist as a separate organisation and respon-

sibility for managing the PLR Scheme is to

be transferred to the British Library. The

changes are expected to take effect from 1

October 2013.

PLR staff will transfer over to the British Li-

brary but PLR will continue to be adminis-

tered by the existing team from their offices

in Stockton-on-Tees. Authors should con-

tinue to register their books for UK and Irish

PLR in the usual way.

More information on the government’s deci-

sion to transfer responsibility for PLR to the

British Library can be found on our website.

The PLR team would like to thank authors

for their continued support over the last two

years as we awaited a decision from the

government on the future of the PLR office.

Jim Parker

Registrar

15

Beware:intellectual property thieves

are operating in the London

area.

Got a big idea? It could be at risk. Avoid displaying it in

public. Do not leave it unattended. Do not give it to

anyone else to look after and watch out for anyone try-

ing to pick your brains.

Remember, carlessness costs livelihoods. The inven-

tors of the sandwich, vacuum, flask, doner kebab and

Botox all lost out because they failed to take the simple

precaution of patenting their invention.

If you’ve got an idea, keep it quiet. Take it to the British

Library and ask for the Business IP Centre. They’ll give

you free advice on what to do next.

Don’t be a Botox. Be a Barcode, Bakelite or Biro. Put

your IP under our lock and key.

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