The New Londoners Summer 2014 by migrants resource centre

The New Londoners

www.thenewlondoners.co.uk

Summer 2014

Steve McQueen

The Ealing boy saved by art

The Tube: a global legacy

“Not just an artist who became a film director… one of the best artists of his generation”

Why 'economic migrants' really come here

page 4

A space for Armenian culture

My Polish London

Stopping the

UK slave trade

by Astrid Filippi and Giovanni Colapietro

Hasani

Mira’s odyssey began in a small village in the Philippines. The need to provide for her family pushed her to approach an agent for overseas domestic work. She was brought to the UK and began work as a nanny and maid. She lived in the same

room as the children she was looking after, working 16 hours a day with no time off. Leftovers were the only food she was allowed, and all her belongings were shoved into a tiny corner under the washing machine. Since arriving in the UK, she hasn’t

received a penny in wages and her ‘employers’ have taken her passport. Mira’s hope to provide for her family has ended up a nightmare. Josef experienced similar horrors when he was trafficked to the UK from Romania. Forced to work for a

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Stopping the UK slave trade

family, he was threatened, beaten and made to live in a cold and dark garden shed, with no food or bedding and a hole as a lavatory. Human trafficking is the fastest growing international criminal industry, and trafficked people are vulnerable to sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, slavery and domestic servitude. Estimating the scale of the problem is not straightforward. The only means to collect data about occurrences in the UK is the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), a process set up by the government intended to identify victims of human trafficking to provide them with protection and support. In 2013, the NRM received 1,746 referrals of potential victims of trafficking, a striking 47% increase from 2012. Labour exploitation thrives in unchecked and under-regulated job sectors. It’s a hidden threat,

Human trafficking is the fastest growing international criminal industry yet it is there - in the food we eat, the clothes we buy, the electronic devices we regularly make use of. Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX), whose work provides policy guidance and victimcentred research on trafficking for labour exploitation, says governments often fail to prioritise protection and support for victims. “I think that internationally governments have used trafficking as a reason to restrain immigration,” says Policy Director Caroline Robinson, adding: “Often governments will use it to prevent movement.” FLEX has previously been outspoken in its criticism of the government’s draft Modern Slavery Bill, aimed at tackling labour exploitation, describing it in December as being overly focused on prosecution at the expense of prevention and the protection of victims.

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However, Robinson is hopeful the Bill may serve as a tool to remind the government of its responsibility to protect all victims of trafficking. “There is a possibility that [the Bill] will be used to prevent movement and migration,” says Robinson. “But I think there is also room for activists for constantly refer the government to this protection framework, and that human rights apply to victims of trafficking no matter what their immigration status. “With human trafficking it’s very clear that it’s completely regardless of immigration status whether they’re entitled to protection – the state has to respond,” she adds. Announced in Queen's Speech, the draft Modern Slavery Bill is aimed at improving the UK’s anti-trafficking legal framework. The Bill focuses on law enforcement based on sharing information between the government and ‘first responders’, which are local authorities, the UK Border Agency, police and the Gangmaster Licensing Authority, which have the legal duty to report potential victims of trafficking to the National Crime Agency. Other core measures introduced are life imprisonment for human trafficking offenders, stronger controls at the UK border and an Anti-Slavery

Commissioner reporting directly to the government. One possible preventive measure against exploitative business practices missing from the Bill is the establishment of a truly independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner entitled to visit and monitor worksites, which could help prevention and prosecution of unlawful employers. Robinson also sees information as a key weapon in the fight against labour exploitation, explaining that some high profile trafficking cases have actually involved victims who had the right to work in the UK but didn’t know it, making them vulnerable to exploitation. “We also know that when people are very marginalised, either as documented migrants who are stigmatised in the UK – and that now is Romanians or Bulgarians - or undocumented migrants who are even more stigmatised in the UK – they have less opportunity to gain information about their human rights and labour rights,” she says. FLEX would also like to see more labour regulation inspections, which are an opportunity for bodies like the Gangmaster Licensing Authority to pass on information to workers, as well as information coming through migrant community organisations and peer-to-peer education by workers.

Steve

Internationally, governments have used trafficking as a reason to restrain immigration

The New Londoners

e McQueen:

by Michela Sechi

Oscar winning 12 Years a Slave confirmed Steve McQueen’s place in film making history. But it is his lesser known career in art that makes him such a compelling storyteller

Visualising the truth

Clasping his Best Picture Oscar at the Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, Steve McQueen thanks everyone: his crew, cast and the most important women in his life. Dedicating his award for 12 Years a Slave to those who still suffer slavery, he declares that “everyone deserves not just to survive, but to live” Experimental film-maker and singular exponent of the British avant-garde, the 1999 Turner Prize winner has earned a reputation as one of the United Kingdom’s most brilliant talents. “Not just an artist who became a film director”, he is “one of the best artists of his generation”, says Gregor Muir, executive director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in London. Although he has lived in Amsterdam for the past 16 years with his Dutch wife, cultural critic Bianca Stigter, McQueen was born in West London, to Grenadian parents. He had a working class upbringing in Ealing, attending Drayton Manor High School, where football soon became his great love. Remembering his high school days in an interview with the Guardian earlier this year, the 44-year-old director spoke openly about his ‘hidden shame’: his dyslexia. As a dyslexic child, who also wore an eye-patch to correct a lazy eye, he was quickly dismissed as a hopeless case. Rather than receiving special attention or encouragement at school, he was placed in a remedial class for students considered best suited for manual labour. His dyslexia went unrecognised and, consequently, unaccommodated. Experiencing this inequality at such a tender age has obviously left its mark on McQueen. Describing school as a painful and awful experience, the father of two recalled: “School was scary for me because no one cared, and I wasn't good at it because no one cared. At 13 years old, you are marked, you are dead, that's your future." It seems to be the wasted talent of his schoolmates, who did not achieve what they might have because no one believed in them, that upsets the director the most. Thankfully, it wasn’t the end of the road for McQueen. Redeemed by his gift for drawing, he attended art and design courses at Chelsea College of Art before training at Goldsmiths, where his interest in film began to emerge. For the first time he was happy, because he had an environment he could work in.

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McQueen has the power to capture the essence beneath the surface of the things

McQueen’s first significant pieces of work were silent, minimalistic, blackand-white short films, in which he frequently starred. Focussing on sexuality, discrimination, vulnerability and strength, fragility and persistence, McQueen’s continued intellectual and technical development was soon to attract the attention of the public and critics. In 1999 the artist won the prestigious Turner Prize, having been shortlisted for an exhibition at the ICA which included Deadpan (1997), a restaging of a Buster Keaton stunt, and Drumroll (1998), filmed by cameras attached to an oil drum which he rolled through the streets of Manhatten. In awarding him the prize, the enthusiastic jury admired “the poetry and clarity of his vision, the range of his work, its emotional intensity and economy of means”. McQueen received an OBE for services to the visual arts in 2002, and was named the ‘official war artist’ for Iraq by London’s Imperial War Museum in 2003, traveling to the country for six days in 2006. His film Hunger, about Bobby Sands and the IRA hunger strikers, won him the esteemed Camera

d’Or trophy at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, and in 2009 he also represented Britain at the seminal Venice Biennale art fair. He was awarded a CBE in 2011. In an interview for DP/30, cinematographer Sean Bobbitt, by McQueen’s side throughout the filming of Hunger, Shame and 12 Years a Slave, describes the magic that happens during the making of these movies. The British director, he says, has the power to capture the essence beneath the surface of the things. Telling the truth by visualising it is what matters to McQueen. His films are true visual experiences involving the audience, who are left challenged and inspired to reflect upon themselves and the world in which they live.

McQueen London

•G Draytorenw up in E a li ng an Ma n • Stud ie or Hig h Schodolw ent to a nd Gold d a t Chels ea Coll e s m it g e of Ar • Won t hs t he Turn er Prize • Awa rd in 1 9 9 9 CB E in 2 ed a n O B E in 2 00 01 1 2 and •C a b outubrrently w ork in for the Bla ck B ritons g on a d ra BC liv ing in m a London • An ex g o on s h hib ition of Ga ll ery ow a t the T his a rtw or k this a ut hom a s Da ne w il l umn

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A Brit

Abroad t s mo

It’s been a year since London hairdresser Keith decided to launch an unusual special offer at his salon in Greenwich: free haircuts for people who speak Spanish. In the window of ‘Clipper’ is a strange sign: “Cliente de habla espanola: Peluquería gratis con estilista senior investigar dentro de”. In faltering Spanish, Keith tries to attract Spanish speakers to help him meet his aim of practicing his second language three times a week: “For the Spanish speakers clients, free hair cut with a senior stylist please ask inside”. He knows the sign isn’t perfect, but a year since he put it up, he’s become rather fond of it. “I kind of like that people who speak Spanish stop by and ask what it's about” he says with a laugh. Every summer, Keith becomes a ‘Brit abroad’, spending his holidays in Almeria in the South of Spain. He enjoys the fresh air and the sunshine at his holiday home in the coastal city, but most of all he likes the people and the culture, which he describes as friendly, with strong family values. The upbeat Spanish outlook, along with the nice weather, is what first attracted Keith to this Andalucían destination. “The British prefer go to Benidorm, which is the same as Britain but with a beach,” he says. “I prefer to go to Almeria and mix with the culture.” It was his love of the local way of life that led Keith to come up with an unusual way to keep up his Spanish skills once summer was over. “I cut hair and practice my Spanish,” he explains, adding proudly: “I think I have cut the hair of people from almost every Spanish-speaking country.” For Keith, giving free haircuts in exchange for conversation is a way to keep up his Spanish and enjoy cultural exchange with people from all over the Spanish-speaking world. For Spanish, Cuban and South American clients who take up his offer, it’s a chance to get a free haircut and a cup of tea in one of Europe’s most expensive capitals, and have a great conversation at the same time. The sessions, which Keith offers three times a week, last for one hour and include full treatment with professional advice. Living between England and Spain, Keith gets the best of both worlds: independent and multicultural London and friendly, relaxed and sunny Almeria. By offering this special service to Spanish-speakers, he can stay connected with Spain while trimming hair in the heart of the English capital.

Text & pictures by Marina Uzcategui

The New Londoners

The Tube: A G

It was an American who gave the Tube the cash injection it needed to survive in 1902, and it was the Caribbean which provided the post war manpower it needed in the 1940s and 1950s.

• There are now at least 190 metro systems around the world, with many more planned – London’s brave idea has proved its worth.

• Frank Pick, head of the London underground in the early 20th century, is credited with introducing London to the power of the poster and through this medium, a wide range of artists.

• Harry Beck’s iconic map of the Underground is now used to represent transport systems around the world. • The Tube’s tunnels provided Londoners with refuge from the bombs of both the First and the Second World War.

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Global Legacy

In return, the Underground has left a remarkable legacy that stretches far beyond London:

• American talk show host Jerry Springer was born in East Finchley tube station, where his mother was sheltering during an air raid.

• A deep level air raid shelter at Clapham South became a temporary home for many passing through the city in the post war period, including troops in 1946, newly arrived Caribbean workers in 1948, and well wishers during the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

• The smooth running of the Tube was vital to the success of the London Olympics in 2012.

• The Underground’s much loved warning to ‘mind the gap’ has been referenced in literature, film and music around the world including inspiring the name of the Portugese hip hop group, Mind da gap.

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London and the life beneath its feet

Over a century ago, London was home to more people than any other city in the world. Fifty years earlier it had come up with a novel idea to solve its terrible traffic jams – ‘Trains in Drains’. It was Charles Pearson, solicitor to the City of London, who promoted the idea of an underground railway system for the capital. Yet, sadly, he was never to see his subterranean railway in action, as he died a few months before its first section, the Metropolitan Line, opened in January 1863. At that time no one could have foreseen how many people from all around the world would be employed in building the tunnels and operating and driving the trains. Nor could they have known just how much the whole plan would rely on the energy and impetus of outsiders. At that time, what was certain was that many, including some sections of the media, were suspicious of burrowing trains. Steam caused dirt and pollution below ground, and many feared that the trains would crack pavements and that whole buildings would collapse on to the tunnels. The result was that although the Metropolitan Line had opened, few were keen to risk putting more money ‘down the Drain’. London and its Underground needed help. The man who rode into town was Charles Tyson Yerkes, a railway expert from America who had both the money and the attitude to get things moving. But the city remained on edge. Yerkes was brash and had a history of run-ins with the law, which did little to calm people's nerves. Whatever Londoners felt about trains beneath their feet, they did not take kindly to a disreputable American telling them how they should be run. None of that bothered Charles Yerkes. The entrepreneur set up a holding company that eventually became the ‘Underground Electric Railways of London Ltd’ (UERL), and began to acquire and modernise many of the city's tramways and railways. Then

by Georgie Knaggs

The New Londoners electric trains arrived, and expansion took off. Yerkes died in 1906 but by then his company had a life of its own. The problem was that his company, UERL,was still without the passengers it needed - something had to be done to persuade Londoners to use the Underground. In strode another American, Albert Stanley, appointed to be the company’s General Manager. Stanley (later to become Lord Ashfield) was a different kind of American to Yerkes, and had what many saw as the ‘saving grace’ of having been born in Britain. He understood railways and how to manage the men that worked on them, and was good at spotting talent. It was Stanley who decided that the young solicitor Frank Pick should be put in charge of publicity for the company. Pick’s posters soon worked their magic, enticing Londoners on to the trains. His attention to detail, combined with Stanley's business sense and management skill,won public confidence in the Underground at last, and with that came passengers and the chance for the company to expand even further. It has grown and changed ever since.

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London Underground feels as though it has been part of the city forever – but in fact, it's relatively new in town. So is Mr Lance Ramsay, although you wouldn't know it. Ramsay arrived from Grenada as a young boy in 1963. His mother was a nurse in the National Health Service and his father worked for London Transport. Today Ramsay is the General Manager of the Bakerloo Line, which sees over 100 million journeys each year. I meet Ramsay in the offices of London Underground in Canary Wharf. It's a tall building with a busy feel - Ramsay is the opposite, calm and unhurried. We begin with Ramsay's first day at London Transport - 6 June 1983. At the time he had six GCSEs and the disheartening experience of a few years working at a small builders' merchants, where he describes feeling trapped. But although he'd decided he needed a change, he didn't have a definite career path in mind. "I was very clear about what I didn’t want and very vague about what I did want," he recalls. Driver of a London bus was soon top of his 'no' list. One stint at the wheel around a hot and crowded capital convinced him to move on - this time to the Underground,

where he's been ever since. Was his talent spotted early? "No," he says emphatically, adding that the motivation to move up to management was: "self – very much self." Ramsay feels that two factors from his childhood have had a lasting influence on him. The first was watching his brother, a year younger than him, die from leukaemia aged thirteen. "It was tragic, absolutely tragic. I know that did something to me through and through. That has never ever, ever left me." The second big influence was his mother, who had just turned 18 when he was born. "I've watched her drive and push, doing education herself and working, doing two jobs and so forth. So that just became what I thought life was about. "She was one who, if something happened, would say: ‘Oh, that's not very good. What are you going to do about it?' So I just got the idea that you could do something about it." He believes that two qualities are essential for success: ‘authenticity’ and ‘tenacity’. "We sometimes try to be something other – we try to portray what other people want us to be. I am comfortable being who I am. I am okay with all my background, all my past, all my limitations – being short and

balding on top." He laughs with warmth now, but adds with real feeling that it was a traumatic moment when his first dreadlock fell out. I try to imagine the well-dressed, relaxed 53-year-old with dreadlocks and attitude. It’s a struggle. There’s no agitation in the man across the table from me, only confidence … but then again, it is the quiet confidence that comes from having 'been there'. As for his second secret ingredient, tenacity, he says: "Nothing comes first time. It doesn't come easy. If it does you could lose it one day and you've got to think what you'll do next time round." "It's your resilience and ability to hold it together and work through those difficult times that’s going to make the difference between whether you give up and fail or whether you continue.” It sounds impressive, as though much has been achieved against great odds. Ramsay is embarrassed by this, and by people suggesting as much when they meet him. "I just try to do my best. It’s like when I was a kid. Whatever you did you just tried to be good at it. No more than that.” He says he has learned a great deal in his ten and a half years as a general manager. "You grow immensely running a business

Lance R

From the Underground to top of the ladder: A chat with Lance Ramsay, General Manager of the Bakerloo Line

The New Londoners

This city is diverse and it celebrates diversity. I don't feel any need to be in one camp or the other

by Georgie Knaggs

Ramsay a chat with

the size of this. I’ve been doing a lot of negotiating with the trade unions so all that has taken me on a journey." "Today my morals and ideals are the same but in terms of my experience, my understanding and my ability to handle different things I’m very much a different person to who I was in 2003." I know from my research that Ramsay has done two university management courses and is always open to learning. "I had to learn about what I wanted, where I was going and what it would mean … It's very easy when you’re in senior management to sit somewhere and think 'Oh, I can't say this. I can't be human'. So

someone asks you a question and then you end up in corporate speak." Ramsay doesn’t do this. In interview he comes across as direct and open, and during the photo shoot a week later at Oxford Circus Station, it's clear that he is liked and respected by the staff we meet. Does Ramsay think of himself as being from the Caribbean or as a Londoner? "I don’t distinguish between being from the Caribbean, or being a Londoner or being anything else. I think the world has moved on. I am a person first and foremost." "This city is diverse and it celebrates diversity. I don’t feel any need to be in one

camp or the other." I ask if he has any advice for new migrants, overwhelmed by the size of London and the opportunities it offers. He does have one last point to make. "A lot of this is about us as individuals and how we choose to interpret what we see. You see things as opportunities and then they become opportunities. You see them as a loss and then they become a loss." "That is all you’ve got to do, and just celebrate this beautiful city we’ve got which is growing and changing for the better. You don’t need me to tell you that – just go and see for yourselves.”

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Are free schools the answer?

by Anna Mandras Every morning at 8:15 little people in uniforms of various colours gather at bus-stops - some still lost in sleep, others deep in thought planning the day, or waiting patiently for the bus, hoping to get to school on time. Mothers, fathers, friends and relatives take them to school while fellow commuters read, listen to music or talk on their mobiles. Going to school is an opportunity to see the world. Westminster is one of the largest multicultural communities in London, and it has lots of decent schools. Alongside traditional schools, free schools have been created to - according to supporters - satisfy the needs of communities and promote equality and diversity. The general public may have negative perceptions of free schools, but parents are often reported to support the initiative, with some free school mums and dads encouraging others to enroll their children at the same school. However, speaking to mothers about their children’s performance at a recently-opened free school in London, I was left with an overall impression of disappointment. Parents felt the school had failed to deliver on promises made at the beginning of the year. Despite encouragement and a supportive environment where children feel safe and motivated, a lack of communication, poor resources and challenges to delivering creative sessions have directly impacted on the children’s academic progress. A recent Ofsted report also identified issues of concern. In contrast, I spoke to a mother whose sons attend a highly prestigious, ‘non-free’ state school in Westminster, with an outstanding Ofsted report. She said she was satisfied and happy to see her children reaching their potential and enjoying their education in a stimulating and motivating environment. And even though it is not run on the ‘free school’ model, her husband still takes a very active role in school activities, including fundraising. It’s seems that a school being ‘free’ does not necessarily mean it will be a cut above the rest. Running a successful school takes far more than enthusiasm of the teachers and staff. Schools only become supportive and stimulating learning environments when they have properly trained staff, competitive equipment and resources and a good library. Good schools have a specialist special needs team, a decent playground and a fully equipped science lab. And just as important as all of these is for teachers to work in close collaboration with communities and families. It takes the whole community to raise a child.

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Moment of

Departure Departure

by Shady Selka

In 2010, Sami said goodbye to his father. He was going to Britain, his second home, with the hope of coming back to the Jasmine City in the summer of 2011. But he was disappointed. The old Syria was replaced by the winds of the Arab Spring and, day by day, things began to escalate. Blood started to be shed without control, groans of pain and fear increased, and civilians were very shocked. The only solution open to them was escaping over the borders. Not only the people inside Syria faced fear, but also those who had emigrated. Sami was one of thousands seeking a way to save their families by helping them travel to another Arabic country, like Egypt. It was the moment of departure. But then his father insisted on staying in Damascus.

The car set off from Damascus to Beirut Airport, where the tickets and departure were. Between the two countries’ borders, everyone hid their tears, asking themselves if they would come back to Syria one day or not. Due to his father’s absence, Sami’s joy was incomplete when the family arrived at Cairo. He longed to see his sixty-year-old father and thought it was his duty to try to convince him to follow them to Cairo. Again he resumed his phone calls. He felt scared and sad because of the way tanks’ and guns’ voices were extending all over the country, taking its spirits, whether they were children, women or elderly people. He wondered about his father’s refusal. Was it to protect the properties from being robbed and looted? Or because of his fear of an

unknown future as a refugee? Or for another reason? His father loved his country. Departing from it was like separating the soul from the body, like a sudden death. He had opened a private school for young children thirteen years ago. He insisted on keeping the school open, even if the war reached to it, in order to keep the teachers earning their living, and for the continuity of learning. The father preferred to sleep alone in his grandparents’ country house than be a guest in another Arabic country. He preferred living in sorrow and pain than a happy life as an alien. Finally, Sami realised his father’s decision was fate. And that he could not do anything, but pray for him to stay healthy, and for the country to become safe and secure.

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Photo Story Hasani

From asylum seeker to job seeker

The New Londoners When Hasani arrived at Gatwick Airport after fleeing his home country in Africa, he felt intimidated by the huge building full of strange faces. “Inside my head, I said my prayers,” he remembers. “The horror of being sent back with the next flight made me sweat.” But with the help of a kind immigration officer he was soon on a train to Victoria, struck by the February cold, and watching snowflakes fall for the first time in his life. Looking back today, Hasani recognises that moment as “the beginning of a long and stressful journey”. Two weeks later, after a gruelling six hour interview with the Home Office, his application for asylum was refused. Feeling lost and stranded, Hasani searched in vain for a lawyer, with none

willing to take him on because of cuts to legal aid. Refusing to give up hope, Hasani decided to prepare his own appeal. “Brixton library became my friend,” he explains. “I was the first to go in when it opened and the last when it closed. “It was like a crash programme on immigration law, and within two weeks of refusal I thought I had learned enough legal knowledge and I thought I could face the Home Office before a judge. I felt like an executioner’s axe was hanging over my neck.” But despite all his studying, the axe fell – Hasani lost his appeal. “What was I thinking to go in an unknown territory to do battle with seasoned warriors?” he says today,

laughing. “From there it was a matter of time before I was detained.” Just when he had finally begun to despair, Hasani met what he describes as an “angel” from an organisation supporting asylum seekers, who referred him to a law firm. “That was a turning point,” he says. “My solicitor fought tooth and nail for me and I was eventually granted refugee status in 2013, when I had lost all hope.” And now? Hasani is studying accounting, and has gone from being an asylum seeker to a job seeker. “I still have to report to the Job Centre every week, and it reminds me of my days of an asylum seeker where I used to go and join a long queue just to sign in,” he says. “But at least now it’s better because I now have more rights than I used to have.”

The New Londoners

My Polish L

The New Londoners

From Pola

After hearing what the Polish have done for us, you'll never look at them in the same way again

London

and to Waltham Forest

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21 20

This story starts on a holiday to Krakow, Poland. Standing outside a synagogue, staring up at its vast walls, I wondered if it was where my great-grandparents got married. Newly wed myself, I was fascinated that my relatives might have exchanged vows there before embarking on new lives, in a new world. Like many Polish Jews, my greatgrandparents fled Poland for Britain in the mid-1800s, probably because of religious persecution and economic hardship. I know little about them, except that they settled here, while most quickly returned to Poland. Although short, the first wave of Polish migrants left its mark on Britain. One couple set up a little shop you might have heard of Marks & Spencers. A generation later, the son of a Polish migrant founded Tesco’s. Oh, and fish and chips – that was theirs too. Lesser known today, but influential in his time, was Polish migrant Harry Lebus. His factory in London's East End produced the must-have furniture of its day. Linked to the William Morris Arts and Crafts movement, Lebus was hugely successful, employing many other Polish migrants. I live in Waltham Forest, less than a mile from where the Lebus factory was. If Polish migrants were employed there, I wondered whether others locally had a similar heritage to me. Waltham Forest has a growing Eastern European population, Polish making up the vast majority. Most came here in the third wave, which began in the 1990s. But why did they settle in Waltham Forest? Did the first wave establish foundations for them? Quite a bit is known about the second wave in the early 1940s, especially in West London – but what were its effects on East London? Of course, third wave Polish migrants are different to my family. Most are Catholic, and are seeking employment, not fleeing persecution. But could there be common ground? To answer these questions, I started From Poland to Waltham Forest, a project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. It's still in its early stages, but our team of research volunteers have already unearthed some fascinating information. For instance, during World War II, Harry Lebus began manufacturing Mosquito aircraft, the only fighter plane to be made out of wood. It was considered a triumph of technology and the envy of the Germans. We've also discovered a local cemetery full of Polish names. Through the project, we also hope to interview Polish people, and those of Polish heritage, to discover what brought their families to the area. This isn't a political project. It's about understanding Polish influence on the area, and how far back it dates. It's also about enabling recent Polish migrants to feel a greater connection to the community. Of course, it's hard to completely ignore the political context. The likes of Nigel Farage talk about our communities becoming “unrecognisable” because of migration. Yet, some of our most British things – from fish and chips, to Mosquito fighter jets and Tescos – we have the Polish to thank for. If you're interested in volunteering on the From Poland to Waltham Forest project, visit www.frompoland.org.uk.

by Esther Freeman

The New Londoners

A Day in the Life Honorata Szuba

Honorata Szuba is a nurse who came to London from Poland three years ago and currently works as a care assistant and volunteers at a homeless shelter. She lives in Perivale with her husband, a construction worker, her 15 year old daughter and 11 year old son. She told N. N. Dee what a typical day is like for her: When I first came to London, I was a stay-athome Mum, helping my children cope with the changes of moving country. A year later, I enrolled at college to learn English, and in April this year I started working as a care assistant at a residential home for elderly people in Fulham. I also volunteer three days a week at a homeless shelter based in a church in North Acton. I can't really say I have a typical day because every day is different. I spend my time with my family, the Polish community and elderly and homeless people. On a work day, I get the kids ready for school at 8am, before spending the day helping elderly people with their everyday tasks. When the children finish school they have after-school activities until 5pm. My husband picks them up looks after them, and I am also part of a mum’s support network which helps out with childcare and other needs. I am very happy that I can work in London. I am a qualified resuscitation nurse, and I feel very privileged that I can practise my profession here. Although I'm not actually practising as a nurse right now, my job is still about helping and caring for people, and that is part of my personality. When I’m at the residential home, the best part of my day is being in a calm and relaxing environment with a very good atmosphere. The highlight of volunteering at the homeless shelter is that I come into contact with a lot of Polish people and people from other communities who are very helpful towards others. I ca't say anything negative about this country because I feel like I am a guest here, and I feel very welcome. If there is a downside to volunteering, it is that there never seems to be enough time to meet everyone’s needs. On the upside, it has given me the opportunity to meet a lot of skilled, highlyqualified people. There is not much difference between my family's routine back in Poland and what we do here: we go to work, we look after our children and we meet up with our friends. Before I started

working, I didn't know what to expect, but now that I have started working, I have struck a balance and I can see that life here is pretty much the same as before. At the end of the day I feel very tired because I lead a life that is very active. But I also feel satisfied because I am contributing to the lives of others, both at work and through my volunteering. I am also very happy because I have a healthy and loving family this year will be my 17th wedding anniversary. I feel most accomplished when, at the homeless shelter, if someone is down, I encourage and empathise with them. I know that I am making an impact when I get text messages from the clients thanking me for my support. The strong Polish community in London definitely contributes to my feeling right at home here, and I also feel very pleased that I have met many Polish people who are doing positive things in the community. I've noticed that in London, many highly qualified people have been made homeless due either to language barriers or not having a National Insurance number, and so not being able to work, or because they don’t know how to access the social services available. Once they find employment, such people quickly rebuild their lives and go on to no longer be homeless.

I feel satisfied because I am contributing to the lives of others, both at work and through my volunteering

by N. N. Dee

The New Londoners

Zupa Grochowka (Polish Split Pea Soup)

By Michela Sechi

If you’re looking for an easy-to make and filling meal that won’t break the bank, Zupa Grochowka is your answer. This hearty meal is also known as grochówka wojskowa or ‘army pea soup’ because of its frequent appearance on the dinner plates of Polish soldiers. It’s not hard to see why the dish is a military favourite – it is cheap, can be prepared in large quantities, and is also very nutritious. With the key ingredients of ham and garlic, it is a quintessential Polish dish. And how do you know you’ve got it just right? Apparently it should be thick enough to stand a spoon up in it.

Serves 6 Preparation and cooking time: 1 hour, 15 minutes Ingredients:

• 3 slices of bacon, cut in half • 1 meaty ham bone • 1 cup of chopped ham • 1 garlic clove, finely chopped • 1 large onion, chopped • 3 celery sticks, trimmed and cut into 1cm pieces • 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1cm pieces • 8 cups of water • 1 500g bag of green or yellow split peas, rinsed • 1 bay leaf • 2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 2cm pieces • Salt and pepper to taste

Zupa Grochowka Preparation

1. Fry the bacon in a large pan, until fully cooked. Take out of the pan and leave to cool, then crumble and put to one. Leave the bacon grease in the pan and add the garlic, onion, carrots and celery and sauté over a medium heat, until they wilt. 2. Add the ham bone, split peas, water and bay leaf and bring to the boil, skimming away any foam that appears on the surface. Add the chopped ham, crumbled bacon, potatoes, salt and pepper and bring back to the boil. Turn down the heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour, or until the split peas have completely broken down, stirring frequently. 3. Serve with rye bread and butter.

The New Londoners

Did you come to work here?

No, I came

to live here

Eastern European migrants on London life

by Andreja Mesaric

The lifting of work restrictions for Romanian and Bulgarian citizens in January once again sparked debate on Eastern European economic migration to the UK. But what does the term ‘economic migrant’ actually tell us about the lives of real people? Five Eastern European migrants spoke about their experiences of London. It is widely believed Eastern European migrants come searching for work, if not welfare benefits, to escape poverty at home. Even people who have no objections to these new migrants often reflect this view by asking, upon meeting one, if they have come here to work. Many consider this polite chitchat, but this innocent question reveals a tacit understanding that foreigners, especially if they hail from Eastern Europe, have come here because they were drawn by the promise of jobs. While finding work represents an important factor in many people’s decisions to move, it is far from being the only one. Economic poverty as a push factor should not be overestimated. Alex, who moved to London from Serbia, acknowledged that the country’s political and economic situation encouraged his decision to leave, but added: “I would have come to London in any case, even if everything had been perfect [in Serbia].” To put it plainly, many people who live in

Britain did not come to find work. They came because they wanted to live here - and work is just something they need to do in order to make that happen. Marzena quit her job in Poland to move to London: “I had a good job, well paid, but I decided to change something in my life. It was too boring, too narrow, living in Poland.” There are many migrants who come to London for the experience of living in a global city and the fringe benefits that come with it, like the opportunity to explore art galleries, club scenes and everything in between. Some come because they find the political or social climate they are living in too stifling and need a bit of a breather. Others simply want a bit of a change and think London might be a good place to start. Egle came to London after living in Canada and Amsterdam. Explaining her decision to leave her native Lithuania, she said: “One of the reasons is I really don’t like the mentality and after travelling a little bit you understand how bad, how unattractive the country is. It’s the cultural life and just a different atmosphere that attracts me and when I started travelling, I started realising how many fun things there are to do.” Bojana, a dual Bulgarian and Serbian citizen, described her first encounter with London as love at first sight. She moved to the UK after two years working in Japan: “There is something in the air, you feel a

certain freedom that doesn’t exist in Serbia, doesn’t exist in Japan and I’ve never felt it anywhere else.” Maja’s reasons for moving were certainly not tied to work, as she kept her previous role (as a freelance translator for Slovenian clients) after moving to the UK: “I was bored, that’s the honest truth, I was bored. I was living in Ljubljana, I was independent, I had a job making good money, I didn’t have a boyfriend so I wasn’t tied down, and I thought why not, if not now then when?” These stories highlight multiple reasons Eastern Europeans choose to come to the UK that are often lost in media discourse and the public imagination. Many people are attracted to London by the variety of lifestyles it enables, or by the very possibility of choosing a lifestyle of their own. And this is what makes so many people feel at home here. Marzena sums it up when talking about her new life: “It’s much more colourful, you develop by meeting different people. I share a house with people of different nationalities. You share your life with someone who grew up in New Zealand or someone who grew up in Italy, and the difference in culture doesn’t stop us sharing our lives together, which is beautiful and that’s what London is about, isn’t it?” Let us not forget that.

The New Londoners

Myth: Britain is at risk of a ‘flood’ of Bulgarian and Romanian immigrants. After immigration restrictions on workers from the two countries were lifted in the UK in January, one ex-UKIP MEP claimed 1.5 million would come looking for work, with its leader Nigel Farage even predicting “the end of the world starting on 1st January”. (Source:http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/may/14/numberromanian-bulgarian-workers-falls-border-controls ) Fact: The number of Bulgarians and Romanians arriving in the UK has actually gone down instead of up since January, according to the Office for National Statistics. The labour force survey figures show there were 125,000 Romanian and Bulgarian nationals working in the UK in December 2013, compared to just 122,000 in March. It appears that currently most Romanian and Bulgarian migrants choose other EU countries – notably Denmark, Italy, Spain and Germany over the UK. Besides, the fact Denmark, with its high wages and good welfare state, has registered only a small increase in the number of immigrants since January, should be enough to calm those who are still afraid of a Romanian and Bulgarian ‘invasion’. (Source:http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/may/14/numberromanian-bulgarian-workers-falls-border-controls; http://immigrationinsight.co.uk/2014/05/10/does-an-influx-of-a2migrants-justify-uk-fears-about-benefit-tourists/#more-859 )

Myth: Migrants from Eastern Europe don’t contribute to economic growth. Around 150,000 of them pay just £1 a week in tax, according to a report released in April by the think tank Migration Watch. (Source:http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/473156/Scandal-of-150-000migrants-paying-just-1-a-week-in-tax) Fact: The Migration Watch paper shows only the situation for low wage earners, without making a comparison with the number of eastern European employees with higher incomes who pay higher levels of taxes, or with the number of working non migrants who pay no income tax. Furthermore, a study by the University of Central London has calculated that the net fiscal contribution of all recent European migrants to the UK over the last ten years is about £22.1 billion. (Source:http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2014/may/01/are150000-eastern-european-migrants-really-paying-just-1-a-week-in-tax)

There is something in the air, a certain freedom that I've never felt anywhere else

Myth: With more immigration restrictions, there would be fewer immigrants in the UK. Fact: It’s true that immigration restrictions significantly reduce inflows, but this effect is largely undermined by decreasing outflows of the same migrant groups. This seems to confirm that migration restrictions tend to decrease circulation and encourage long term settlement, significantly reducing the responsiveness of migration to economic fluctuations in both destination and origin societies. (source:M. Czaika, H. de Haas, Working papers,–The effect of Visa Policies on International Migration Dynamics, paper 89, April 2014, International migration Institute and Oxford University; http://www.imi.ox.ac.uk/pdfs/wp/wp-89-2014.pdf)

by Alice Giusti

The New Londoners

A Space for

Volunteers learn about their culture and gain useful work experience at the Armenian Archive project A project to establish the Hayashan - an archive library of Armenian culture - in the centre of London two years ago has become a focus for researchers, academics, and the Armenian community interested in learning more about their history and culture. Now, the archive project, which is bringing together a treasure trove of Armenian publications, photos, films, newspapers and periodicals to promote a better understanding of the Armenian heritage for both Armenians and the wider London community, involves around 50 volunteers per year - Armenians, new Armenian migrants and non-Armenians. Among those volunteers is Italianborn Germana Girelli. Here Germana tells us more about the Hayashan: I have been volunteering at the Hayashan archive project,

Some of t were given t grandfat survived th so it was a w him clos

supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, since January. The project is based at the Centre for Armenian and Information Advice (CAIA) and was launched by its founder, Misak Ohanian. Ohanian originally started collecting books back in 1970 in order to preserve his cultural identity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some of the books were given to me by my grandfather who survived the genocide, so it was a way to keep him close to me,â&#x20AC;? he explained. The archive project aims to make this growing collection available to the wider community, the younger generation, researchers, students, academics and anyone who is interested in Armenian culture. The archive has over 3,000 rare and unique items in English, French, Russian and Armenian, some collected by Ohanian from his family, others donated by members of the Armenian diaspora in the

The New Londoners

r Armenian Culture by Germana Girelli

the books to me by my ther who he genocide, way to keep se to me

UK and worldwide. The oldest item date back to the 1870s; other highlights include historical books and audio visual records of nowdestroyed Armenian villages, towns and cultural monuments. I recently catalogued a 16mm film documentary called “Lipanan: Our Country, Our Struggle”, made in 1979 by Armenian-American director Markar Melkonian. Produced for primary school students and filmed on location in war-torn Beirut, it documents right-wing terrorism against the ethnic Armenian community in Lebanon, helping young audiences to understand some of the country’s troubles. The project is an opportunity for different communities to work together, explains Scarlet Sarksan, admin officer, librarian and volunteer coordinator at CAIA: “The volunteers bring their knowledge and skills to conserve their cultural heritage and at the same time, the communities can take

inspiration from our project.” CAIA founder Misak Ohanian came to England in 1967 to escape from the violence between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. His experience influenced the mission of the centre, especially in supporting the welfare needs of disadvantaged Armenians through counselling, translation and information services, which help them integrate into society. Over 25 years, the centre has become a focus for anyone interested in the history and culture of Armenians, maintaining links between Armenia, the Armenia diaspora and the wider London community. It is a place where Armenians socialise, speak their own language, feel at home and integrate with other cultures. Non-Armenians get familiarised with Armenian culture and for some volunteers, the work experience in archiving and researching enhances career prospects.

The New Londoners

Stoke Newington has long been emerging as an innovative hub of creativity for the residents of London. Commonly seen as an up and coming neighbourhood, its low initial rents have enabled new coffee shops, bars, thrift shops and galleries to thrive. So it's no surprise that Cuban photographer and artist Alejandro Gortazar has set up shop in this part of town - arguably untainted by commercialisation, it is a haven for an artist. The New Londoners joined Gortazar, aptly puffing on a Cuban cigar, for a small tour of the delights of his current space. 13 The Gallery, located on Green Lanes, emerged from Gortazar's set up in the Latin American and Caribbean Seven Sisters Indoor Market, where he exhibited work after moving to London in 2009. Following its success, and on a mission to develop a space where artists could exhibit their work more affordably, he decided to take his and othersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; work to the place now known as 13 The Gallery. Dividing his time between Havana and London, Gortazar focuses on bringing Cuban artists' work to the London scene. The gallery showcases a plethora of Cuban pieces from artists who either live in Cuba or who, like Gortazar, live in London and the surrounding counties.

But the gallery is not limited to the vibrant exhibits of Cuban artists, which include Gortazar's own colourful photographs - it is also open to a wide range of English and international work. Notably, between 8th and 28th May, Peruvian artist Carla Figallo presented Rurana ('mission' or 'work' in Quechuan), a collection of paintings reflecting her Quechuan heritage. As well as the prominent artists who use the space, there are many other emerging talents who exhibit at the Artfordable Fair, where their work goes on sale for less than ÂŁ400 apiece. This gives the general public the opportunity to purchase art at reasonable prices, while offering artists a space to exhibit their work that is not too costly. Gortazar has a keen interest in nurturing both the public and the artist on their creative journeys, and as he takes us around the gallery, the inherent sense of community at the root of his project becomes clear. Be it through showcasing artists with deep political influences or a need to express their cultural heritage, or by welcoming members of the public who wish to explore the artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story, there is a sense of enabling art to be accessible.

by Helena Argyle

The Galler y

The New Londoners

Book review

Season of Migration to the North (Tayeb Salih, 1966) This story, written by Sudanese author Tayeb Salih in 1966, unrolls between the banks of the river Nile and the streets of London. It revolves around educated Sudanese men from humble rural backgrounds, who study in England and then return to Sudan as part of the ruling class. The unnamed protagonist returns to his homeland after seven years in London studying poetry, and happily starts working as a government educational officer. Among the inhabitants of his village, he meets Mustafa Sa'eed, a stranger who settled there a few years before, prior to marrying a local woman. Like the young narrator, Sa'eed had left his country to pursue higher education in London, and both men have been profoundly affected by the experience. Sa’eed tells his story of love and betrayal, speaking of women he has known, including one he married and then killed, leading a long period of imprisonment. After he dies mysteriously, Sa’eed leaves the responsibility for his wife and sons to the narrator. Sa’eed’s dark secret becomes an obsession for the protagonist, and haunts him until the end of the novel, when he fails to protect Sa’eed’s widow. He realises that through his privileged education, he can bring about positive change in his country, but also finds himself battling to simply stay alive. This brief novel mixes mystery and

realism, and Salih is skilled in showing the beauty and contradiction of a world whose physical barriers have become easier to pull down, but where social and cultural struggles still exist. Salih imparts an important message: to resolve conflicts, it is necessary to understand the universality of the human condition, which cuts across races and cultures. Here he describes Europeans to the villagers: “Just like us they are born and die, and in the journey from the cradle to the grave they dream dreams, some of which come true and some of which are frustrated; that they fear the unknown, search for love and seek contentment in wife and child; that some are strong and some are weak; that some have been given more than they deserve by life, while others have been deprived by it.” Salih was born in 1929 and studied at the

Review by Andreja Mesaric

Review by Gianna Mula University of Khartoum before moving to London to work with the BBC Arabic Service, where he continued his education. He later worked as a Qatari diplomat, for the information services and with UNESCO as a representative of the Arab Gulf States. He died in 2009. Despite fluency in English, Salih published ‘Season...’ in Arabic. The novel became an international success and has been translated into thirty languages. The book was published ten years after Sudan was granted independence from the British empire. References are made to the political and social challenges of the young government, and this, along with its graphic sexual descriptions, led to the Sudanese government banning the book. Even so, its author is now considered one of the fathers of Sudanese literature, and is a highly revered Arabic intellectual.

Film review

Invisible Lives (2013)

Documentary film by Iulius Cezar Macarie and Tim Marrinan It is not uncommon for undocumented migrants to be invisible in mainstream society, since there is no official record of their existence and many make conscious efforts to stay safely out of sight. But even migrants who do not live in fear of detention and deportation often lead lives of similar invisibility. The film Invisible Lives focuses on one particular group of such migrants, who remain largely unseen because of the nature of their professions. Made in 2013, before the lifting of transitional restrictions that limited the majority of Romanian and Bulgarian nationals to working

in low-skilled jobs, it shows people’s resilience and resourcefulness in reinventing their lives in the face of restrictive regulations and bureaucratic hurdles. The 15-minute documentary follows the lives of four Romanian migrants who have switched their days for nights in order to help keep our capital running around the clock. It was inspired by the work of IuliusCezar Macarie, an anthropologist whose research focuses on people working night shifts and those who try to eke out a living on the streets at night. In London, many of these are migrants from across the globe.

Undocumented migrants are especially likely to be pushed into unseen sectors of work, but even legal migrants are often faced with no other option. Because of their vulnerability, they are forced to take up jobs that do not allow them to use their skills. They face isolation and health hazards due to the nature of their work, as well as direct verbal and physical attacks. Invisible Lives is a selection of audio passages from the stories of the four protagonists laid over video snapshots of London at night, and the spaces they normally inhabit. Being a night-shift receptionist, a construction

worker, a fruit & veg market trader and a sex worker, one might think their lives would differ greatly. Yet they all share the experience of physical and mental exhaustion brought about by working long shifts and adopting irregular sleep patterns. The film brilliantly captures this exhaustion and the isolation of night work, not to mention more immediate dangers some of these workers experience such as violence – including sexual violence – that come with working at night. It offers an insightful if sobering glimpse into the lives of many a new Londoner, and is well worth watching.

The New Londoners

The Great L ond on

poorer Londoners, who face greater competition for scarce resources, including access to jobs, education, transport and accommodation. There was consensus on one point though: a more mature, sensible dialogue on the issue of immigration is the best way forward. The next debate asked ‘Does Britain Need an Emigration Policy?. This panel discussion, led by the The White Rose Consortium, examined immigration from an atypical standpoint; Britons as immigrants. It asked whether it was time for Britain to formulate a policy around its citizens abroad, given that no coherent position currently exists.

Referring to the 1960s era of UK brain drain to the US, academics presented various concerns surrounding the estimated 4.7million Britons currently living abroad. It was proposed that there needs to be a more pro-active approach to engaging with émigrés, including obtaining hard data on the occupations of all who emigrate. There should, it was argued, also be an attempt to reconcile émigrés with the UK’s current needs. Divisions emerged on the panel over the application of the term ’diaspora‘ to UK citizens, but one thing they all agreed on was that immigration and emigration should be considered side by

by N. N. Dee Earlier this year, The New Londoners joined politicians, academics and members of the public at a series of debates in London to discuss the controversial issue of immigration. ‘Does London Need More Immigration?’, hosted by The Evening Standard newspaper, saw a clash of views on the question. Those on the panel in favour of more immigration for London accused ‘welfare culture’ of molly-coddling British youth,

resulting in them not even considering jobs that migrants from poorer countries seem to approach with eagerness and enthusiasm. They also stated that immigrants should not be blamed for inadequate government policies on housing, employment and wages. Those against more immigration also pointed the finger at the benefits system, claiming immigration was having a negative impact on

I mmigration D ebate

The New Londoners

side in any future policy directive. The panel were also united in the view that the current emphasis on skilled workers and the more affluent should be broadened to acknowledge the valuable contribution made to the UK economy by unskilled and poorer immigrants, particularly given how their various cultures invaluably enhance the UK’s reputation for cosmopolitanism. Finally, we headed to an enquiry on migration titled “How Can We Ensure A Level Playing Field For All Workers?” conducted by The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Migration. The aim of this meeting was to review the current political debate about migrant workers, wages and unemployment in the UK.

There was consensus on one point though: a more mature, sensible dialogue on the issue of immigration is the best way forward Here, it was proposed that government begin to formulate a more nuanced discussion on migration, by differentiating the economic impact of the various forms of migration (student, family etc.), on Britain. It was suggested this could be achieved by ensuring a proper system to identify and tackle the pressure migrants put on the country’s services and by providing support for longterm migrants to learn English. With so many different views on the various issues around immigration, one point that came across in all the debates was the need to cultivate more intelligent discussions around the issue, to be able to move forward. The New Londoners could not agree more.

31 30

The New Londoners

What's on

London Events by Ana María Blanco & Marina Uzcategui

Project Syria V&A Room 94, free entry 18 22 June Put on a headset and ‘walk’ the streets of Aleppo or explore a refugee camp full of children, as real events occur. This virtual reality installation aims to bring audiences closer to the experience of Syrian refugees using real audio, video and photographs. www.vam.ac.uk/whatson Come and See Lumen Gallery, 88 Tavistock Place, free entry Preview evening 26 June 6 8pm, exhibition 27 June 10 July This photo exhibition showcases the work of nine people from different countries who came together to share their experiences through photography, in partnership with Fotosynthesis and Jesuit Refugee Service UK. www.fotosynthesiscommunity.org.uk

Marina Abramovic: 512 hours Serpentine Gallery, free entry 11 June – 24 August Serbian-born performance artist Marina Abramovic explores the relationship between performer and audience. She will spend 512 hours interacting directly with visitors using only herself and a series of common objects. www.serpentinegallery.org Catastrophe Club: Palestine Films Passing Clouds, free entry Every last Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm A free film club organised by Hackney Palestine Solidarity Campaign that presents films from and about Palestine. Also featuring guest speakers and discussion. www.passingclouds.org Brasiliance Rich Mix, £8 £6 conc 5 July – 6 July A weekend of Brazilian arts, music theatre and work-in-progress performance based on the fascinating real-life stories of Brazilians who have been living in London since the 60s, 70s and 80s. www.richmix.org.uk New Voices Festival V&A Museum of Childhood, free entry 21 June 12pm 6:30pm Annual festival telling the story of migration through music, storytelling and theatre. Featuring a photo exhibition by young refugees and world renowned photographer Simona Aru, showing the dangerous journey many young people make to seek safety in the UK. www.celebratingsanctuarylondon.org. uk/new-voices

Summer Cinema: Rooftop Film Club and The Luna Cinema Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch/ Bussey Building in Peckham/ The Roof Gardens in Kensington & more… Rooftop Film Club 3 June 27 June The Luna Cinema 20 June 28 Sept With summer just around the corner, why not enjoy a great movie on the roof, in swimming pool or even in the park? These fantastic venues are showing a great selection, from classics to new releases. www.rooftopfilmclub.com / www.thelunacinema.com The World Cup in London Belushi’s Hostel 12 June 13 July If you have football fever, enjoy the big game(s) at a specially kitted out bar like Belushi’s. With its wide screen TVs and buzzing atmosphere, you can pretend you’re at the Maracana stadium in Brazil… www.belushis.com

The New Londoners

Health Advice Asylum seekers

I’ve just arrived in the UK as an asylum seeker. What rights do I have to access health services? All asylum seekers are entitled to register with a GP (doctor) and receive free NHS hospital treatment. I don’t speak English. How do I communicate with health professionals? You can request an interpreter for your appointment. This is a free service, but remember that it must be booked in advance! I am appealing a refusal on my asylum application. Can I still access NHS services for free? Yes, asylum seekers who are appealing or waiting for an outcome of their asylum application are still entitled to access all NHS services without charge. My asylum application has been refused and I have been unsuccessful in all appeals. Which NHS services can I access? If your application has been finally

by Sylvia Lemanska Health Coordinator at Migrants Resource Centre

by Sylvia Velásquez

Westminster Advice Services Partnership (WASP) Volunteer Coordinator I live in a two bedroom property with my wife, and we have been asked to pay bedroom tax. However, we sleep in separate bedrooms because my wife has dementia. Can I appeal? If you have a spare bedroom, are below state pension age and a tenant in a council or housing association home, you will have to pay bedroom tax. This means your housing benefit will be reduced by 14% if you have one spare bedroom, or 25% if you have two or more. The rules allow one bedroom for:

There are some exemptions depending on your circumstances, so you should seek further advice. For example, if you are a social housing tenant and have lived at your property since 1 January 1996, and have been continuously entitled to housing benefit since that date, you should contact your local authority to request arrears of housing benefit not paid because of the bedroom tax. (Note that while the government closed this loophole on 3 March 2014, arrears may still be paid). You do have the right to appeal, but you should seek legal advice first. A legal • All adult couples expert will be able to advise you on which • Any other adult aged 16 or over grounds you should challenge the • Any two children under 10, regardless of decision, for example you can challenge sex (unless it is inappropriate for them to share the definition of a bedroom. a room because of disability). • Any other two children of the same sex (unless it is inappropriate for them to share a room because of disability) WASP offers advice to • A foster child or children Westminster residents on a • Adult children of the claimant who are in range of issues including the armed forces benefits and housing. Call the • Any other child WASP Gateway Service on 08444 • A non resident carer who regularly 771 661. Tuesdays 1pm - 4.30pm provides overnight care for a disabled claimant or Wednesdays 9.30am - 1pm or their partner

refused but you are unable to leave the country, you can access the following services for free: GP treatment, hospital treatment that began before you received your final asylum refusal, emergency hospital treatment at A&E, prescriptions, NHS dental treatment, sight tests, travel costs to and from hospital, treatment for some infectious diseases (including Tuberculosis) and sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS tests. What about maternity care? Asylum seeking women waiting for the outcome of their asylum application, including appeals, should not be asked to pay for maternity services (prenatal service, childbirth at a hospital and postnatal care). Women who have been finally refused asylum may be charged for these services, but NHS guidance says that maternity care is ‘immediately necessary’ and should not be denied to women who cannot pay. A hospital may ask you whether you plan to return home in order to help establish how urgently you need the treatment. Hospitals have discretion to provide treatment even when there is no prospect of the patient paying for it. For further health information and advice, contact Sylvia Lemanska at healthworks@migrants.org.uk

Benefits Advice Bedroom Tax