Today we launch our Impact Report for 2023/4 which is our annual look-back on what has been achieved. Below we outline the main findings. You can access the full report in the Publications section of our website, or to request a printed copy, please email us and we will be happy to supply.
This year’s Impact Report shows Action Foundation has seen a sixty per cent increase in the number of refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants accessing our services.
Figures show staff and volunteers supported around 3,200 people across all services compared with 2,000 the previous year.
Sixty nine different nationalities came to us seeking help with a range of issues from homelessness to how to sign up for English language classes.
Desperation
Action Foundation CEO, Duncan McAuley, said the rise illustrated the difficult situations faced by people seeking sanctuary here in the North East.
“The substantial increase in people we support doesn’t reflect a rise in the number of asylum seekers and refugees in our region. Alarmingly, it illustrates the desperation they face.
“We’ve seen a big increase in requests from homeless clients, a growth in the need for immigration advice in line with the huge numbers in the ‘asylum backlog’ and a cost of living crisis that has hit the poorest and most vulnerable hardest.
“Life has become desperate for many across the UK and our clients often lack the familial or societal support networks others benefit from, making the only option to turn to organisations like ourselves in their time of need.”
The charity’s InterAction service, which provides advice around asylum rights; housing; benefit entitlement and other issues, was busier than it has ever been, supporting a total of 2,415 people compared with 1,444 in 2022/3 – a 67 per cent increase.
* 2,200 hot meals were dished up at our Drop-In
Almost half of the cases InterAction staff saw were to do with immigration issues but 20 per cent were about housing or homelessness and 13 per cent, financial wellbeing.
Our Accommodation Services provided beds for 118 people during the year and delivered 5,879 hours of support work, helping people engage with legal advice, register with GPs, arrange college appointments etc.
Action Language, the charity’s long-established free English school was rebranded ‘Language & Learning’ to reflect a new focus on employability. During the impact period, 560 people attended free English language classes from 69 different nationalities, thanks to 54 dedicated volunteer teachers and classroom assistants.
Young people
Earlier this year, Action Foundation launched a brand new service for children and young people, called Young Lives, delivering regular youth clubs, sports and activities. It is led by Bridget Stratford, MBE, who previously set up and managed the award-winning N.E.S.T (North East Solidarity and Teaching) project at Newcastle University.
The charity also increased its provision on South Tyneside with new volunteering opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers, particularly those isolated in hotels. In 2023/4, 25 people were enabled to volunteer in activities such as sewing, cycling, cricket, First Aid training and cookery.
Duncan added: “Change has been the hallmark of this last year but the changes we celebrate most are those in the lives of the people we support. Each week we see confidence being built, skills gained and opportunities taken. We see refugee statuses being granted, jobs awarded and families reunited. After a summer that saw race riots on our streets, we are proud to represent the true values of our region – welcome and compassion.”
