Following the proposals set out in the government’s New Plan for Immigration, published back in March alongside the consultation that we (and you as individuals contributed to), this week the 'Nationality and Borders Bill' (or more correctly named 'Anti-Refugee Bill by the sector) was introduced to Parliament. It was debated on Monday and Tuesday and passed its second reading with 366 MPs voting in favour and 265 voting against. But there are still many months of discussion ahead before it becomes law… There is no doubt that this is an intentionally provocative and dehumanising law that will see [...]

St Augustine's Centre is a charity that offers a warm welcome and safe space to people seeking support and sanctuary here in Calderdale; together we share food, stories and build relationships. We offer specialist advice on immigration and asylum support, and one to one support with welfare, housing, health and access to wider services. We provide hot meals, English classes, training, cultural, social and wellbeing activities, trips and volunteering opportunities. We build awareness about human rights, campaigning locally and nationally. We began in 1968 as a Church playgroup and in 2009 became an independent charity, continually evolving and [...]

A soap opera is a tv or radio drama. We interview one of the writers and ask her to explain what is a ‘soap’, talk about some of the most popular soaps, give examples of story-lines and discuss whether soaps reflect our society. Download Transcript Transcript English for Life in the UK Episode 27:  Soap Operas in the UK Mark Hello, and welcome to the podcast English for Life in the UK. This podcast is for those people who want to improve their English by listening to a range of native English speakers, talking in an everyday way, [...]

About St Augustine’s Centre St Augustine's Centre is a charity that offers a warm, welcome and safe space to people seeking support and sanctuary here in Calderdale; together we share food, stories and build relationships. We offer specialist advice on immigration and asylum support, and one to one support with welfare, housing, health and access to wider services. We provide hot meals, English classes, training, cultural, social and wellbeing activities, trips and volunteering opportunities. We build awareness about human rights, campaigning locally and nationally. We began in 1968 as a Church playgroup and in 2009 became an [...]

Refugee Week is a UK-wide festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Founded in 1998 and held every year around World Refugee Day on the 20 June, Refugee Week is also a growing global movement. This years theme is We Cannot Walk Alone. There is a moment in Martin Luther King’s historic ‘I have a dream’ speech when he turns his attention to the White people who, realising their destiny and that of their Black fellow citizens was intertwined, joined the movement for equal rights. “They have come to realise that their freedom is [...]

As part of Volunteers Week, we want to take a moment to recognise the work of our brilliant Board of Trustees who donate their time and expertise behind the scenes. They consistently go above and beyond to support the strategic development of our charity and to ensure we meet the needs of our community. We asked some of our trustees to share a little bit about what they do and what their role means to them. Katie: My great grandparents on both sides of my family were refugees. I know many people who arrived in this country on [...]