From Persecution to Poverty

From Persecution to UK Poverty…

My name is Ian Quigg, Jesuit Volunteer for 2004/2005 in Manchester. I am undertaking my placement year (in part) with Revive, which provides support and advocacy for asylum seekers and refugees in Greater Manchester. Revive is a joint project of the English Province of Holy Ghost Fathers and the RC Diocese of Salford.

Until now, the main emphasis of my work has been managing the drop-in kitchen. We provide a basic food parcel and £5 (funded by the British Red Cross). Most of our 50 clients are destitute having had a final refusal in their asylum claim. As such, they are removed from their accommodation and receive no further benefits even while still in the country.

The situation for the people I have met at Revive is a desperate one. This has become apparent to me in witnessing that they are more content to live in abject poverty with no prospect of being able to work or live in the UK rather than return to their country of origin where they fear persecution or hardship.

Their experiences both in their own country and since arriving in the UK have caused suspicion of my motives in wanting to get to know them. Building relationships with the clients has needed perseverance owing to this lack of trust.

Working in the kitchen has enabled me to set the foundations for building positive relations with our service users. As a result of this and the training I have received in being able to offer advice I am now becoming more active in case work. My second placement with Church Action on Poverty (CAP), a campaigning organisation on UK poverty will use my practical experience at Revive to build an asylum destitution campaign.

The fears of the people at Revive are real and bringing about hope is something I consider a priority. I am thankful that at CAP I will have the means to communicate the issues of asylum destitution and what needs to be done to ensure change in systems that cause a pain that comes through powerlessness.

If anyone would like any further information on my work at Revive and CAP or to receive updates on my activities please do not hesitate to contact me on ianq@church-poverty.org.uk

Ian Quigg

Registered Charity No: 230165	Jesuit Refugee Service - UK