To have a better understanding of inclusion and community cohesion, hidden bias and multiple forms of discrimination operate simultaneously and interact, creating a unique and often amplified experience of disadvantage. intersectional discrimination we looked at different areas of inequalities in the borough of Lewisham. Our funding in relate to migration is:
Lewisham provides extensive evidence of both proactive efforts to foster inclusion and cohesion for migrants and a clear recognition that systemic issues, including subtle biases, continue to undermine their opportunities.
Lewisham is championing inclusion and community cohesion for migrants
Recognition of subtle biases undermining opportunities for marginalised migrants.
HERE ALSO adding a unique layer of support to the existing non-profit landscape in Lewisham
Lewisham is championing inclusion and community cohesion for migrants
Lewisham as a “Borough of Sanctuary”
This is the strongest evidence. Lewisham was the first in the UK to be formally recognised as a “Council of Sanctuary” in 2021 (and committed to it as early as 2018). This isn’t just a label; it comes with a dedicated Lewisham Borough of Sanctuary Strategy 2020-2025. This strategy outlines commitments to:
Lewisham Migration Forum (LMF)
Established in 2018 and chaired by LRMN, the LMF is a crucial initiative for community cohesion and inclusion related to migration.
It brings together over 30 groups, including the Council, charities, community groups, health providers, and individuals (including those with lived experience), to discuss issues, share resources and collaborate on campaigns and initiatives and to make the migrant and refugee sector in the borough stronger and more effective.
Its priorities include ensuring Lewisham becomes a Sanctuary Borough and strengthening partnership and collaboration among groups supporting migrants.
This directly demonstrates a structured, collaborative effort to foster cohesion and support for migrant communities.
Specific Support Services
Organisations like the Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network (LRMN), Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL), and the Lewisham Multilingual Advice Service (LMLAS) provide vital, direct support. These services are practical manifestations of the borough’s commitment to inclusion.
- LRMN offers advice, casework, and support for immigration, housing, and welfare issues, wellbeing activities, and emergency support (e.g., food parcels for destitute clients). Their impact report for 2023/2024 shows they supported over 1,600 people with advice and secured hundreds of successful applications (e.g., gaining leave to remain, fee waivers).
- AFRIL runs a Saturday supplementary school for refugee and vulnerable migrant children, a food bank, and offers advice services.
- LMLAS provides free advice in multiple languages, covering various issues crucial for migrants facing language barriers.
Recognition of subtle biases undermining opportunities for marginalised migrants.
Motivation for Sanctuary Strategy:
The very existence of the “Borough of Sanctuary” strategy and the Lewisham Migration Forum stems from a recognition that migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers “face many challenges not only in Lewisham but in the whole country” due to the “hostile environment” and other systemic issues. The strategy explicitly counters the “cruel concept of a ‘hostile environment’.”
Focus on “Lived Experience”:
The LRMN and the LMF actively involve “people with lived experience” in their work. This is a direct acknowledgement that the experiences of migrants reveal issues that need addressing, including potential biases in accessing services or being treated fairly. The LRMN’s 2023/2024 Impact Report notes that “The news on migration is very demoralising, dehumanising and affects our health and overall wellbeing. We feel worried and unsure about our lives and what the future holds. This leads to depression and hopelessness.” This speaks directly to the psychological impact of systemic issues and biases.
Addressing Service Barriers:
The Lewisham Council’s efforts to remove the embedded Home Office worker from the NRPF team and promote “Safe Surgeries” are direct responses to perceived or actual barriers and biases that migrants faced in accessing crucial services. The push for Legal Aid funding by LRMN also highlights issues with access to justice for migrants.
Challenges Highlighted in Reports:
– An evaluation of the Syrian Vulnerable Persons (SVP) resettlement programme in Lewisham by The Centre for Public Innovation, noted that “the commissioned support provider does not appear to be providing a sufficient level of intensity and is relying on inadequate English Language provision. A largely unfunded voluntary sector is filling in gaps in the support package but their efforts are often not co-ordinated with other services.” This points to systemic gaps in provision which can disproportionately affect migrants.
– LRMN’s Impact Report mentions that “with the increased cost of living, the complexity of the immigration system, and the increasing cruelty of the immigration system, we are seeing more people being forced into destitution and homelessness.” This highlights ongoing systemic challenges that create vulnerability for migrants, where subtle biases can play a role in their reduced opportunities.
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HERE ALSO aims to add a unique layer of support to the existing non-profit landscape in Lewisham
While many fantastic non-profit organisations offer support in Lewisham, HERE ALSO stands out due to several key differentiators:
Intersectional Approach:
Many organisations focus on a single aspect of discrimination, such as race or disability. HERE ALSO adopts a unique intersectional approach, recognising and addressing the simultaneous and interacting forms of discrimination individuals experience. We deal with the complex interplay of these identities to provide more comprehensive and effective solutions.
Holistic & Tailored Solutions:
HERE ALSO provides broad, flexible, and individually tailored solutions for inclusion and community cohesion. We offer in-depth, integrative services directly to individuals and host engaging events that share personal narratives to cultivate greater understanding within the wider community. Our approach equitably addresses complex needs, benefiting both individuals and the host community.
Data-Driven & Evidence-Based:
We are committed to an evidence-based approach. Our services are designed based on thorough research and insights, ensuring they are both relevant and impactful. Our Lewisham report is a testament to this rigorous, data-driven methodology, highlighting our commitment to informed action.
Specific Niche:
Within our intersectional framework, we possess exceptional strength in supporting neurodiverse individuals in navigating public services, fostering dialogue between specific BAME communities and local authorities, or developing policy recommendations for accessible community spaces. This allows us to apply our unique approach with specialised depth and impact in a particular area.
Lived Experience & Sector Expertise:
Our team brings over 20 years of collective experience in the non-profit sector, providing us with deep professional insights into service provision. Crucially, this is combined with our own firsthand lived experiences of the disparities and challenges faced by individuals with diverse characteristics. This powerful combination provides an authentic and profound understanding of the needs we address.