July 2021
The Nationality and Borders Bill: The UK’s Commitment to Refugees is Under Threat
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 Britain turn its back on some of the most vulnerable people on Earth. It breaches international law, the Refugee Convention and undermines our compassionate [...]
Walk and Talk with St. Augustine’s
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 welcoming all, regardless of faith, ethnicity or background. We have 15 staff, 150 volunteers and a community of 650 individuals and families from 57 [...]
English for Life in the UK – Soap Operas in the UK
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 a range of subjects. Today, we're going to talk about "soap operas", also, often, just called soaps . These are dramas on television [...]
June 2021
English for Life in the UK – Seeking Asylum in the UK, Part 2
Season 2, Episode 25 The history and work of our independent charity which specialises in support for asylum seekers and refugees. We hear the voices of some of our asylum seekers and refugees. Download Transcript Transcript Mark Hello, and welcome to the podcast English for Life in the UK. This podcast is mainly for people who want to improve their English and at the same time learn more about life in this country. This is the second of two special episodes where we have been looking at the experience of asylum seekers and refugees and the support that is available to them. Those of us that record this podcast are volunteers at the St Augustine's Centre, a charity that [...]
Become a Trustee at St. Augustine’s
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 independent charity, continually evolving and welcoming all, regardless of faith, ethnicity or background. We have 15 staff, 150 volunteers and a community of 650 [...]
Refugee Week 2021
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 inextricably bound to our freedom,” he said. “We cannot walk alone.” His words resonate now as much as they did in the 1960s. Find [...]