To describe current global displacement levels as indicative of a ‘refugee crisis’ would be an incredible understatement. Nearly 34,000 people are forcibly displaced every day as a result of conflict or persecution; and we are currently witnessing the highest levels of displacement on record.

An unprecedented 65.3 million people around the world have been forced from home, including nearly 21.3 million refugees, over half of whom are under the age of 18. In addition, there are 10 million stateless people who have been denied a nationality and access to basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment and freedom of movement.

We can help address the refugee crisis partly by breaking down the myths and scare mongering that prevents people from effectively understanding the refugee crisis, and having meaningful discussion over how we respond to asylum seekers and their families in need.

There is a difference between an asylum seeker, a refugee and an economic migrant.

The terms asylum seeker, refugee and economic migrant are often used interchangeably in public discourse, however it is important to understand the legal distinction between each one.

An asylum seeker is someone who has fled their home country and has submitted a claim for asylum to the authorities; they have a legal right to stay in the country until a decision has been made.

A refugee, by comparison, has proven to the authorities that returning to their home country would put themselves in danger; their claim for asylum has been accepted and they can stay in the country either long-term or indefinitely. Refugees also have a legal right, under UK and International law, to bring their families over to the UK to join them.

Economic migrant is not a legal classification, merely an umbrella term used to cover any person who has moved to another country to work. Whether they are legally or illegally resident is dependent on how they entered the country, and they may or may not have a legal work permit.

The number of refugees living in the UK is low.

We’re all familiar with the scare stories about asylum seekers ‘flooding’ the UK, however when held up against statistical data the picture is different. There is an estimated 117,234 refugees living in the UK, meaning that refugees make up just 0.18% of the total UK population. The UK received 38, 878 asylum applications in 2015, with just 45 percent of these cases being granted asylum once their cases had been fully concluded. By comparison countries throughout Europe such as Germany (431,000) and Hungary (163,000) received many more; however, less still than many developing countries, that currently host over 80% of the refugee population combined.

Further Information

For further information on the refugee crisis and global displacement levels, visit:

http://www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/Refugee-support/Refugee-facts-and-figures
http://www.unhcr.org/uk/figures-at-a-glance.html

Bereavement is the time we spend adjusting to loss. Losing a loved one is emotionally devastating and it is normal to find it hard to adjust to life without them. It is important to remember that there is no right or wrong way to feel when you’re grieving. Some people might lash out, others may withdraw into themselves; you might feel sorrow and longing, or guilt about what you did or didn’t say to someone. Bereavement is about learning to accept and cope with what has happened, rather than ‘recovering’ as this would suggest that you emerge the same as you were before.

There is no quick fix; you might experience grief every day for 12-18 months after a major loss. However there are practical things you can do to help yourself get through a period of grief or bereavement. Reaching out to others such as a friend, family member, health professional or counsellor can help you process your emotions. Allowing yourself to experience the emotions associated with loss, as it is a healthy part of the grieving process. Keeping up routine where possible, even simple tasks such as going for a walk or visiting the shops can help. Avoiding things that “numb” pain such as alcohol, as it will only make you feel worse once the numbness wears away.

Where can you go for support?

Support, advice and information is available from Cruse Bereavement Care, the leading national charity for bereaved people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Cruse Bereavement Care Freephone National Helpline (08088081677) is staffed by trained bereavement volunteers. They can offer emotional support to anyone affected by bereavement. The helpline is open Monday-Friday 9.30-5pm, excluding bank holidays; with extended hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. – Joseph Addison

When was the last time you read a good book? If you’d rather be doing something else, you’re not alone – many people struggle to find the time to read, or find more comfort in television and film; but if you’re part of the 36% of people in England that do not read for pleasure, you could be missing out on a wealth of mental health benefits. According to a study from the University of Sussex, reading for just six minutes a day can be enough to reduce stress levels by up to 68%. Different from reading short news articles, or your social media messages – sitting down with a book involves long periods of focus and attention, keeping your mind stimulated and boosting concentration in everyday life. Engaging with the experiences and feelings of others through reading is also associated with higher levels of empathy and improved relationships with others. If you’re looking to revitalise a love of reading, why not take a look at Amazon’s 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime?

Our Functional Skills in English programmes are designed for those looking to improve their reading and writing skills. The course involves learning how to better understand a range of texts, and how to communicate information, ideas and opinions in styles that are suited to different purposes and audiences. More information can be found on our website.