Members Spotlight: West London Zone
SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW
West London Zone
- How are you helping young people in London?
We help children and young people build the relationships and skills they need to get on track Socially, Emotionally and Academically. We call this creating a SEA change.
We believe that by targeting these key areas of development we can empower children to fulfil their potential.
We work in West London - an area of deep inequality where 1 in 5 children and young people aren’t getting the support they need to thrive. Our research shows that there are 12,000 children and young people currently living in our community that need additional support.
- Share with our members something positive about your organisation’s achievement or service.
During the COVID-19 lockdowns we adapted quickly to provide online support to children and young people. In the first lockdown, between 23 March - 17 July, we provided on average 3 Link Worker interactions per child per week. We also delivered remote support, working really closely with our partners to adapt to this way of delivering.
Now that we are able to provide face to face support, we are extending it for those who would normally be finishing their two-year programme in July to provide experiences and opportunities until the end of August.
Our aim is to offer children the opportunity to participate in sport, drama, music, art and crafts and a range of trips and visits - as well as accessing some additional support from where needed.
These activities will support them with much needed social interaction with their peers, to promote positive emotional wellbeing and have the chance to take part in some fun-filled activities after a very challenging year.
We raised £21,135 this month to go towards funding these activities throughThe Childhood Trust’s Champions for Children campaign!
- What can other network members learn from you or find out more about through you?
We have a funding model that sees each child supported by their local council, central government, their school and philanthropy. This means we are not reliant on one source of funding alone and can provide more support with these parties together than any one of them on their own.
We work to ensure that every child gets on track socially, emotionally and academically – and we have designed our funding model in a way to help us deliver this. Our commissioners pay us in instalments over the course of a child’s two-year programme, when we provide evidence of their participation in the programme and their progress at the end.
With payment explicitly tied to each individual, we are driven to achieve for every single child on our programme.
Our funding model means we work really collaboratively with our funders and partners - we have learnt a lot about how to do this effectively over the years. You can find more about our insights on this in our most recent Impact Report.
- What would most help you achieve your goals?
We are continuing to be purposeful and strategic with our aims for growth so that we can reach more of the 12,000 children in our Zone that could benefit from our support. We are growing so we can be truly 'deep' in our place - supporting children across the community and working together to impact a generation of young people in West London. We’ve grown quickly, and aim to support 3,000 children and young people a year by 2025.
We have a big ambition - and we are focused on one place. By working with local organisations and people, we think it is possible to enable all children in our community to have access to the support they need to thrive in adulthood.
- Why did you join 4in10? What do you enjoy about being part of the 4in10 network?
4in10 is a really important network, and we believe it’s important to constantly share our insights and learn from other organisations. We really enjoy receiving 4in10’s newsletter filled with details on events and opportunities for organisations. 4in10 do a brilliant job of bringing together organisations to unite to tackle inequality in London.
4in10 Newsletter 24.06.2021
4in10 Newsletter with information, data, training, news and much more. For this issue click here.
Blog Post from Alketa Hystuma of The Shpresa Programme
The Shpresa Programme works with Albanian nationals in the UK who have mainly migrated from Italy, Greece and Bulgaria. Their dual nationalities make them EU citizens.
The 23rd of June 2016 marked a seismic change for a country, which for 47 years was a member state of the European Union and its predecessor, the European Communities (EC). Assisting with the completion of online applications has been challenging since the Brexit process as many service users have difficulties with the language or have no English skills. Others have difficulties using computers and online services, like not understand the confirmation emails or calls they receive to provide further evidences as part of their EUSS applications. Many of the people we work with have completed wrong applications, equally many are not aware of their rights on public funds including housing and homelessness assistance. A general problem is that many do not yet fully understand what Brexit means and why having a Settled or Pre-Settled status is important in protect their future immigration status, as well as their rights and entitlements to family reunions, work, benefits, and access to the NHS.
Since COVID-19 we witnessed a rise of applications for universal credit. We’ve noticed indirect discrimination when an EU citizen has only arrived to the UK a few months ago and is working a limited number of hours per week. Most of the claims made resulted in refusals, not once, but 2-3 times. We have previously requested reviews and have appealed decisions to highlight that the EU citizens have the same rights as a British passport holder or someone with refugee status.
Our other immense concern is for groups or people who are isolated and have no contact with us or any other organisations who promote and do campaign work around the EU Settlement Scheme. If vulnerable members of our community fail to apply before June 30 2021 their immigration status will inevitably be compromised, no matter how long they have resided in the UK.
Our partnership with New Europeans UK started in September last year. Since then, we have jointly delivered more than 5 events and information sessions tailored for the Albanian community. New Europeans UK have advised and trained our staff, as well as a cohort of our Albanian speaking volunteers. We have found a valuable partner that is keen to hear the challenges our service users face and offer free professional advice.
It has been a highlight of Shpresa’s activity, to work intensively with the many EU citizens part of the Albanian community in the UK and raise awareness of their rights in the UK during and after Brexit. With the continuous support from New Europeans UK, the Shpresa Programme has campaigned extensively through social media, our digital work and information sessions, as well through our advocacy “Be the change” project. This will ensure effective support continues to reach our community, so that no EU citizen gets left behind. We will continue to assist anyone who needs help to integrate and become self-sufficient once they chose to make the UK their home.
Shpresa Programme
020 7511 1586
Refugee Week. Some Great Links
WE CANNOT WALK ALONE: REFUGEE WEEK EVENTS
‘no one leaves home unless
home is the mouth of a shark’
Warsan Shire, Home
In recognition of Refugee Week the following online events and exhibitions may be of interest:
- The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants are hosting a fantastic online exhibition, Beyond Labels
- Croydon Voluntary Action and 40 local organisations are hosting a week of activities celebrating work by and with refugees.
- Barnet New Citizens Gateway is celebrating Refugee Week with an online event where members of their community will share their stories. Join their celebration of humanity and culture for stories of refugees experiences and hopes for the future. The event will feature a packed schedule of inspirational talks, art, and singing from renowned Palestinian artist, Nancy Hawa. Mon, June 21, 5:00 – 6:00 PM
- Refugee Education UK are sharing stories of their work with young refugees.
- HOME? curated by actor and refugee-child Noma Dumezweni, brings together global voices, stories and experiences across three new commissions, created in collaboration with refugee artists and the Old Vic Theatre.
- Counterpoints Arts and Schools of Sanctuary present authors Michael Rosen and Sita Brahmachari in conversation with Sanchita Basu De Sarkar sharing poems and stories suitable for children aged 9 and over and their families. June 17th 4.30-5.15pm.
- The National Archives share a series of events linking the history of refugees in the UK via documents held by them.
- UNHCR are asking people to submit their own dictionary definition of the term ‘refugee’.
There are many other events where you can show your support for London’s vibrant refugee communities. Just Google your borough and Refugee Week 2021
4in10 Newsletter 10.06.2021
4in10 Newsletter with information, data, news, calls for action, funding and more. For this issue click here.
No Child Left Behind – new website! Blog by Mari Burton from the NEU.
New data released by the End Child Poverty collation has revealed that even before the pandemic child poverty levels had risen to 4.3 million children – an increase of 200,000 on the previous year, This means that across the UK, 31 per cent of children are now growing up trapped in poverty – the equivalent of 9 pupils in every class of 30.
It doesn’t have to be this way. The Government must take urgent action to right this wrong.
The National Education Union have launched a brand new campaign website which allows visitors to search for the latest child poverty statistics for their area, simply by typing in their postcode. Visitors to the site are asked to email their local MP, asking them to show their commitment to tackling poverty in their area by signing the NEU’s anti child poverty pledge. The pledge reads:
As a member of Parliament, I pledge to do everything in my power so that no child is left behind in East Worthing and Shoreham:
- I call for the development of a cross-Government strategy to eradicate the poverty faced by the 4.3 million children currently growing up trapped in poverty.
- I will use my vote and voice in Parliament to try to stop an expected 730,000 more children being plunged into poverty by 2024.
We must value and invest in all our children, so they are supported to learn, succeed, and go on to have bright futures.
Poverty is not inevitable – with enough political will we can eradicate it. At the time of writing 91 MPs from across the parties had committed to do everything in their power to leave no child behind – check if yours has signed up by visiting nochildleftbehind.org.uk and supporting our campaign!
Keir Lewis, 4in10's Research and Learning Officer writes about the ending of the eviction ban.
A ‘tidal wave’ of evictions are coming.
May 31st 2021 marked the end of the eviction ban following a series of temporary (often last-minute) extensions. This piece of legislation, whilst imperfect, provided the primary source of protection for renters during the pandemic. The eviction ban originally prevented eviction court hearings, temporarily ensuring eviction proceedings did not start. It also extended ‘minimum notice periods’, the minimum time period a landlord could give a tenant if they wished for them to leave the property, to six months.
What Is Changing?
From 1st June, bailiffs will legally be allowed to enter renter’s homes and enforce evictions.
Minimum notice periods will also change. The notice period required to be given by landlords will drop to four months on 1st June and then to two months on 1st October.
Why This Matters
Many London renters face a myriad of housing challenges and the eviction ban simply papered over cracks.
Inadequate social housing supply, employment insecurity, rising rents, unfit housing benefit and accelerating gentrification are all challenges that remained unaddressed by the eviction ban and the governments pandemic response.
Nowhere else in the country does the cost of housing ‘push’ more people into poverty than in London. According to research from End Child Poverty, nine of the ten Local Authorities with the highest levels of child poverty are in London – with housing being a significant driver behind these figures. A recent London School of Economics report projected that 400,000 private tenants in London may be in significant rent arrears by the end of 2021. Whilst these figures in London are alarming, this is unsurprising given that nationally over £360 million has already been accumulated in covid-related rent arrears.
All in all, this means London could be facing a period of evictions and homelessness like it has never experienced before.
How Can We Help
As part of the London Child Poverty Alliance, our manifesto called upon the new London Mayor to take action on housing. We called for legislative action to tackle exorbitantly high rents, urgently deliver new homes at social rent and improve the standards and conditions of temporary accommodation in London.
However, this call for action cannot be seen as separate from our broader manifesto calls. Just like the eviction ban coming to a close in May, at present, the £20 uplift in Universal Credit is due to end at the end of September.
We simply cannot allow our social safety net to be cut further.
Getting Help
If you’re worried about being evicted or supporting someone who is, Shelter offer support regarding the eviction ban and homelessness here.
You can also use 4in10’s ‘Get Help’ support page here.
Volunteer Week Free Resources
Volunteer Week runs from June 1st to June 7th. Download free resources and templates from the Volunteers Week resources page.