Our reports

Reported 3 weeks ago by Muhammad K.

Poems by Muhammad K., Part 3

Leicester

Reported 1 month ago by Zarith

The Light Beyond the Ceasefire

London

Reported 5 months ago by Muhammad K.

Continued Poems by Muhammad K.

Leicester

Reported 5 months ago by Muhammad K.

Dear Me

Dear me - a Letter to Myself

Leicester

Reported 6 months ago by Muhammad K.

A Collection of Poems by Muhammad K.

A collection of poems by Muhammad K.

Leicester

Reported 7 months ago by Zarith

Flight of Hope: London Wings Unchained

A poem by Zarith

London

Statement

VOICES Network Statement responding to the scrapping of the Rwanda Deportation Plan

“The Rwanda plan was never the will of the people – it was simply inhumane, ineffective and incredibly expensive.”

Reported 8 months ago by The VOICES Network

Reported 8 months ago by E. E.

I Say Yes

A poem by E. E.

London

Reported 8 months ago by Muhammad K.

Hidden Worth: Precious Connections

Empathy and understanding must be at the forefront of any effort to integrate immigrants and refugees into society. Recognising their past, their trauma, and their potential for recovery and contribution is essential.

Leicester

Reported 9 months ago by Emilia M.

Peace

London

Trials of the Tempest

Leicester

Priorities Shape Destinies

As people migrate, whether by choice or compulsion, their paths are dictated by the priorities of survival, adaptation, and the hope for a better future, highlighting the critical intersections of human rights, economic pressures, and international policies.

Leicester

Healing Songs

A poem by Muhammad K.

Leicester

Echoes of Eternity

A poem by Muhammad K.

Reported 11 months ago by The VOICES Network

Leicester

Press Statement

VOICES Network Statement responding to the passing of the Safety of Rwanda Bill

Reported 11 months ago by Sohaib H.

Addressing the Detainment of Unaccompanied Minors under the UK’s Illegal Migration Act

The Illegal Migration Act has introduced a concerning practice in the UK – the detention of unaccompanied minors. This blog post, inspired by the insights of Ambassadors Sohaib and Niloha, aims to shed light on the short and long-term impacts of this policy on children seeking safety.

Reported 11 months ago by Zarith

Springing Zack-in-a-Box

I’m springing like a jack-in-a-box, springing from winter to the season of spring.

London

Reported 11 months ago by Zarith

Even the birds are chained to the sky

As we left the nests from all corners of the globe, we can’t help but notice and taste the sweet freedom in the green pastures.

London

Reported 12 months ago by Muhammad K.

Empowering Asylum Seeker Integration Through Public Transit Accessibility

The integration of asylum seekers into new societies is a multifaceted process that requires careful consideration of various challenges and barriers they face. Accessible public transportation emerges as a pivotal tool in addressing these challenges and facilitating the integration process across different domains of life.

Leicester

Reported 12 months ago by Muhammad K.

Unlocking Economic Potential: A Case for Granting Work Rights to Asylum Seekers

In the discourse surrounding immigration policy, one key aspect often overlooked is the economic contribution that asylum seekers can make if granted the opportunity to work.

Reports Video Stories

Happy International Women’s Day from the VOICES Network!

Reported 1 year ago by The VOICES Network

Reported 1 year ago by Zarith

Love will always win & keep on loving

I know it’s cliche that love seems elusive in today’s world of conflicts and aggressions. Injustice is too blatant, as well as the double standards. Most of us fortunately arrived in this world out of love, and others didn’t share the same predicament depending where they are. It is heart-breaking to keep on witnessing the lack of love we are seeing every single day.

London

Reported 1 year ago by The VOICES Network

VOICES Network Ambassadors on the Safety of Rwanda Bill

VOICES Ambassadors share thoughts on the UK Government’s Safety of Rwanda Bill. These have been contributed by VOICES Network Ambassadors based in Scotland, Wales and England. Gratitude is expressed to Baroness Lister for sharing these points in a recent debate. 'We highlight the crucial need to uphold human rights, compassion and empathy by opposing sending asylum seekers to Rwanda. We emphasise concerns for abuse and neglect to LGBTQ+ people and vulnerable groups, reproving the government's insistence on a bill that does not align with international human rights law. People seeking asylum flea their countries for reasons beyond their control and urgency should be placed on enhancing safe routes and resolving push factors. We are concerned about the financial and operational sustainability of this scheme as well as the lack of democracy behind it’s implementation. We strongly condemn the inhumane decision to send traumatised groups to an un-safe country and advocate for a humane asylum system'

Statement

The VOICES Network Statement responding to the UK Government’s Report on Safe Routes

Reported 1 year ago by Shingi Sakutukwa

VOICES Visit to Buckingham Palace

In my capacity as an Ambassador for the VOICES Network and in partnership with the British Red Cross, I recently had the incredible opportunity to attend a humanitarian reception at Buckingham Palace.

London

Reported 1 year ago by The VOICES Network

The VOICES Network Statement on the Supreme Court ruling on the UK Government’s Rwanda Scheme

Responding to the Supreme Court Ruling on the UK Government's Rwanda Scheme, Experts by Experience from the VOICES Network, said: “This is the victorious result of everyone who has been fighting together. It shows the authenticity and genuine want of the UK people to show compassion and kindness to people seeking sanctuary in the UK. Let this be a mark in history that humanity always wins. We still have more fights to go and we are ready.” - VOICES Ambassador from Yorkshire

Reported 1 year ago by Zarith

Film Premiere Review: ‘The Old Oak’

I am deeply grateful to have attended both the private screening of ‘The Old Oak’ and the premiere in Leicester Square at the end of September. This gave me an opportunity to understand the British societal psyche on the difficult subject of immigration, migrants, and racism. This is heavily politicised at a time when the Ukrainian-Russian war continues and the UK general election next year looms.

London

The VOICES Network Statement on the Home Secretary’s Comments on the 1951 Convention

The VOICES Network statement responding to the concerning comments from the UK Home Secretary on the 26th September 2023 on the right to claim asylum on sexual orientation and gender identity grounds and the relevance of the 1951 Refugee Convention.

Press

The VOICES Network Statement on the Illegal Migration Act

Responding to the news that the Illegal Migration Bill passed today, Joshua Chima, Samantha, Onica and other ambassadors spoke on behalf of the VOICES Network, a collective of refugees and people seeking asylum.

Blogs Reports

The VOICES Network Blog on the Global Compact on Migration (GCM)

VOICES Ambassadors share their insights from their lived expertise into some of the challenges of key parts of the Global Compact on Migration (GCM), below are some examples of ways that the VOICES Network has addressed central elements of the GCM, followed by some key recommendations around the implementation of the GCM, at both a local and national level.

Reported 3 years ago by Serge Mukiele Bwana

Language Barrier: A notorious disability in nocturnal cases of emergency

As a former refugee, with my lack of fluency to communicate in the language of the host country, I have experienced the calamity of being crippled by the inability of interacting efficiently with medical staff and fairly express my requests. A few years later, this dark memory turned to become the pushing factor behind my impulse to join DA Languages...

London

VOICES Network Briefing: The Nationality and Borders Bill

As a network, we have long recognised that the asylum system as it stands is in dire need of redress to support us in the UK. At present the system fails to set out safe routes, leaving many to embark on deadly journeys to reach safety. Once in the UK, we can wait over a year – for many, several years – for decisions on our claims to be made. All the while, we are housed in poor and unsafe conditions with little access to legal, financial, or mental health support...

The VOICES Network Briefing on Asylum Accommodation

Everybody deserves to live in a place where they feel safe and secure. As refugees and people seeking asylum we have been forced to leave our homes and come to a new country, often alone and without our families. This is challenging enough, but the additional stress of not having somewhere safe to live and sleep has significant impact on a person’s wellbeing...

Reported 3 years ago by Zaina Aljumma

One World: An Exhibition of Art work from Penally Camp

On the 20th of October, The Torch Theatre opened its hall to host the incredible (Life Seekers Aid) artwork exhibition for the ex-Penally camp residents. They were supported by Anna Waters, a local artist, and other volunteers from the Pembrokeshire area...

VOICES Network Consultation Response to the UK Government’s New Plan for Immigration

Focus on why people come to the UK to seek safety, not how they arrive. Invest in people seeking asylum and let us contribute to society by giving people seeking asylum the right to work. Tackle the root causes of forced migration by providing support and investment to other nations.We would not have fled from home if we were not forced to. Provide tailored mental health support for refugees and people seeking asylum throughout the process...

Reported 3 years ago by Almas

My Rainbow Story

...I will lose my wing all over again. I can’t go through this experience once again. But some how something told me ( lift your head ) and I did. I saw the most amazingly beautifully deep colors Rainbow so huge. It took my breath away.

Reported 3 years ago by Jummah

Why the Coronavirus Lockdown is very difficult for Young Refugees and Asylum Seekers

There is no doubt that many people across the UK have been affected by this epidemic, whether mentally, economically, infectiously or whether they lost someone of their love. In my view, I believe that the most affected ones among those people are asylum seekers and refugees, especially young ones. This essay will explain my opinion in more detail...

Reported 3 years ago by Jummah

Things I’d like to sort out

In recent years, many organisations around the UK such as the VOICES Network have become increasingly concerned about asylum seekers. They are particularly worried about issues such as the lack of education, high rates of refusals and not being able to work. As a young refugee that has been through many of these problems, I want to look at the issues in more detail and propose some solutions.

Reported 3 years ago by Anna

A Life in Limbo: Banned from Working

As a mother your sole purpose is to nurture and support your family to give them the best chances in life but the ban on work makes this impossible. My family and I came to the UK to seek safety seven years ago and since have been banned from working and forced to live on £5 per day. Today, I am mentally ill because of this. I feel like my hands are tied and my potential is wasted. We feel abandoned.

W.O.R.K.

People seeking safety in the UK are currently banned from working. Unable to provide for themselves and their families, they are often left to live in poverty. They receive £5.39 per day to meet their basic needs. In the paintings around you, VOICES Ambassadors reflect on how this has impacted their health, freedom and families.

Reported 3 years ago by Mustapha

Denied and detained as a young asylum seeker

My name is Mustapha and as a young man, I lost everything to be able to follow the religion of my choice. I left my life in Morocco to seek protection in the UK, but instead, I found myself in detention. It’s been 2 years since I arrived in the UK and my asylum case has been refused several times. From my experience, I can tell you that persecution is not always physical, it can also be mental. And the second is no less dangerous than the first...

Reported 3 years ago by Godwin

A poem about refugee journey

We saw a shadow, a shadow of death. Whose claws terrifying and uninviting. We saw a road, safe it appeared and to refuge lead. After a long exhausting and laborious walk. Soon, it was haven at last, we thought. Resounding sighs of relief, safe at last!

Reported 3 years ago by M

Young Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Care: M’s Thoughts

I wish that could be it, as it is for lots of other young people. But for me there is more to the story. I left Iraq when I was 15 and arrived in this country as an unaccompanied asylum seeker, without my family or anyone to look after me. That’s how I fell into the care system...

Access to healthcare is a universal human right: Statement of the VOICES Network on the sad news of Mulat’s death

It is very concerning that once again the rules put forward by the Home Office can have such an extremely detrimental impact on an individual’s life.

What community activism looks like when the people impacted take the lead

Policies that affect refugees and people seeking asylum, as well as services for them, are too often designed and determined without considering the voices of the people that are most directly impacted...

Voices of those seeking sanctuary in Italy – open letter

This is a special feature from our fellow ambassadors in Italy, who are speaking up and representing their rights to promote a more positive asylum system. Every refugee voice matters, so we are supporting this letter and hope that this will contribute to some positive change in the Italian asylum system...

Reported 3 years ago by Godwin

The Unseen Tears of Refuge Seekers

I heard a noise like the hooves of horses of Cavalries. The sound of the feet of refuge seekers in the desert who in desperate escape and battles for life, sailing towards their unknown destinations. Paths so narrow, yet taken by multitudes who choose to die rather than await deaths...

Reported 3 years ago by Yasmin

Rebuilding life in Wales

As you know language is the most complicated barrier which hinders us from getting a well paid job; especially for us, educated people.

Reported 3 years ago by Larysa

Is education a crime?

Once upon a time when I was a little girl my teacher used to tell us that education we gained would never be a heavy burden. It was quite difficult to understand the meaning of those words. And I believe it sounds strange even now as we often take it for granted...

Reported 3 years ago by Aferdita

Family is family when all is together

I am going to talk about why social connections especially family ties are so important for asylum seekers. Family is the most important thing in the world, because your family is always there for you...

Reported 3 years ago by Shamim

I am not me without my family

I am 21 years old. But when I was separated from my mother I was 19. I was torn apart from my mum for 19 months and I spent 17 months away from her in other countries and 2 months in the UK. When we started our journey from Iran to go somewhere safe we did not expect to be separated on the way.

Reported 3 years ago by Ahmad

Family

My family are my lifeline. Without them. I cannot breathe. My oxygen is gone. I have lost my soul. I have lost my body. The best part of me is gone

Reported 3 years ago by Emilia

Freedom From Torture

Today I met a new friend, a solicitor. She told me her name. I felt comfortable straight away. She took me and my little girl to a café. Bought us toast and tea. I think she guessed that we were starving...

Sanctuary in the Senedd – Why it is important

This is why the event is so important as it touches upon mostly forgotten aspect of the asylum process in the UK – the impact on the individual’s mental and physical health conditions. We are delivering our testimonies to shed light on this very important issue by talking about the challenges in integrating into a new life in Wales, accessing education and employment and how these challenges affect our health.

Reported 3 years ago by Saffie

Who Feels It, Knows It

The life of a destitute asylum seeker is hard. Distressing and unbearable. My burden gets heavier. My world has stopped changing for the better. Every night I go to sleep, I keep wondering. What will tomorrow bring?

Sanctuary Housing Have Given Us No Sanctuary

A few years ago, I was forced to flee from my nice home, my good life and my beautiful family in Syria. I arrived in the UK after suffering great loss and was granted refugee status in 2015. This time was incredibly difficult as I missed my family greatly...

Education is Power – Barriers to Education for Refugees and People Seeking Asylum

Drawing on the lived experience of refugees and people seeking asylum in the Voices Network and beyond, I would like to explore of the factors negatively affecting us in accessing and remaining in education...

Rebuilding our lives in temporary housing

The Scottish government says that refugee integration should start from day one when refugees and people seeking asylum arrive. But how can we start to integrate when we are forced to live in a temporary house that is not big enough for our family...We have no place that feels like home.

Destitution is Destroying our Dignity

The British Government’s ‘Hostile Environment’ policies mean that destitution is ingrained into the UK asylum system; destitution is forced, it destroys people’s sense of self and renders them invisible. Such isolation irrevocably damage’s peoples’ mental health and make integration impossible...Destitution is a fight for survival which forces good people down a path of crime. Today I will share with you a story of one of the forgotten people that are destitute asylum seekers.

Family Separation

It broke my heart to be separated from my family for three years but I know I am one of the lucky ones who has been reunited.

Who I am is not written on my face

'I had a profession, a community, a good life, an identity, I had everything. I am here not by choice. I have hopes, dreams, good intentions and values. I am only human.' Treat immigrants the way you would like to be treated in a foreign land.

War is why we leave our homes to become refugees

After fleeing persecution, war and conflict we have been forced to make treacherous journeys to find safety. We are not just refugees. We are lawyers. We are medics. We are university lecturers. We are mothers. We are teachers. We are doctors. We are students. We are journalists. We are good people.

The hidden face of discrimination

Glasgow might be a comparatively good city for refugees and people seeking asylum but more must be done to tackle racism and discrimination...