Job Description

Background

Union Chapel Church's programme of social justice & community outreach addresses important contemporary issues, engaging with our wider community. The programme is an expression of our commitment to social, economic, racial & climate justice from our faith perspective. It sits alongside Union Chapel’s charitable arm, Margins which works with people living precarious lives, especially those who are homeless.

In 2021 we were approached by Islington Council’s NRPF team to provide community based support for residents of 2 contingency hotels in the borough. We responded positively & were subsequently successful in an application for funding.

The Home Office has placed around 750 lone, adult, destitute asylum seekers in Islington whilst they await a decision on their asylum claim or are dispersed to other more substantial accommodation nationwide. They are housed in 1 hotel & 1 hostel in the Bunhill & Clerkenwell wards. These 2 facilities form part of the government’s wider programme to increase the amount of initial accommodation available to house asylum seekers in receipt of section 98 support. Many of the asylum seekers have now had their Asylum Support claim granted, are in receipt of section 95 support & remain in the contingency hotels. The day to day running of the hotel is managed by a Home Office contractor called Clearsprings Ready Homes.

Asylum seekers in the hotels come from over 50 different countries & speak more than 20 different languages. The most common nationalities are Iranian, Iraqi, Afghan, Sudanese, Syrian & Eritrean. The most common 1st languages are Kurdish, Arabic, Farsi, Pashto & Tigrinya although data for languages is incomplete. People in the hotels can be moved on at short notice. The current average stay in the hotels is around 6 months & stays can be anywhere between a week-10 months or longer.

Many asylum seekers will have recently arrived in the UK & can struggle to navigate their new surroundings. Simple advocacy, helping to navigate NHS, council services & providing directions to services is much needed. Some live in rooms with up to 8 other people, face significant waiting times with little stimulation & their mental health suffers as a result. Opportunities to take part in stimulating activities outside of the hotel, to volunteer, ESOL, adult learning & mental health support are all key to improving welfare.

Typically, hotel residents will be entitled to accommodation, 3 meals a day & £8.24 a week. The exact support entitlements of each asylum seeker according to the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999 (sections 95, 96, 98) are complex & something for which advocacy is needed. Statutory services & further support are currently being provided by & is available through NHS, social care, public health, Home Office accommodation provider, & voluntary & community organisations.

Union Chapel Asylum Support Programme

We deliver an outreach programme providing:

Orientation

Well-Being

Language

Material support

Orientation

This will include workshops as to how to navigate London, transport systems, registration with doctors & dentists, signposting to places of cultural relevance (e.g. libraries or Mosques) & others such as free galleries where people can visit & enjoy beyond the boundaries of their own hotel. How to access free resources. Given the very limited means of the hotel residents emphasis will be given to journeys that can be taken by foot, which will also promote healthy living.

There will be provisions of Legal surgeries enabling an understanding of rights & entitlements during the asylum process & beyond, & signposting to a legal practice for immigration advice where appropriate.

Well-Being

Social activities such drop-ins, sports, cookery club at Margins where people can share & celebrate their mother country’s cuisine, conversations, social activities & accessing free resources on offer in Islington. A programme will be co-produced in partnership with the residents to meet their needs & aspirations. Volunteering opportunities will be offered within Union Chapel & other organisations within the community, faith & voluntary sector.

Language

ESOL classes & conversation groups delivered by volunteers encouraging the use of English with focus on teaching the language that help the asylum seekers communicate, understand their surroundings & feel less isolated.

Material support

Provision of clothing, transport costs on a limited basis & other essential items & goods relevant to the needs of residents. We will seek donations from our church community & wider public.

About Union Chapel

Union Chapel is a historic nonconformist church in Islington with an international reputation as a centre for art, faith & community. We continue to live out our radical Christian faith in these powerful times. The congregation, whilst comparatively small, is experiencing growth & is enthusiastic to share the challenge of our Christian conscience through our worship & by raising awareness of contemporary social concerns.

From the outset Union Chapel was known for music. Our organ is a recently-restored Henry Willis organ is a world class instrument. Union Chapel is 1 of London’s most popular music venues hosting performances from well-known artists. It also has a programme of comedy & film. Events are run on a commercial basis by our own production & events company Union Chapel Directions.

The church established a project for people in crisis or experiencing homelessness; Margins. Their programme includes a training programme in catering for events held in the Chapel.

Union Chapel is a Grade 1 listed building of architectural significance. Management of the premises is undertaken by the Union Chapel Project, established by the church not only for day-to-day work but for an extensive programme of conservation. We have a conservation architect on the staff & a fundraising programme to progressively bring the building up to a standard which reflects our concern for the many 1000s of people who use it. The next phase of our development programme is the refurbishment of our Sunday School Hall, currently under way.

Church team

You will be joining a small enthusiastic team. Our Social Justice Worker has been instrumental in the design of this project joining us with a background in interfaith work. Our Activities Administrator is a Refugee & brings an invaluable perspective into our work. He’s in charge of delivering activities such as visits to Museums, competitions & trips. The Church Administrator supports us in managing the project finances. You will also be working with Islington Council, Praxis & other partner organisations to deliver our services.

Our expectations

We are looking for a person empathetic to the needs of asylum seekers with experience of organising community-based activities, with knowledge & experience in ESOL & who has worked either as or with a volunteer.

This part time post of 3½ days per week is funded until Oct 2025 with the possibility of continued funding dependent on a review of the programme’s effectiveness.

How to apply

Please send a CV, covering letter indicating your experience & ability to meet the criteria within our Person Specification, & why you would like to work in this project. Email to sara@unionchapel.org.uk

Or post to

Sara Bigatti

Union Chapel Church

19b Compton Terrace

London N1 2UN

Apply by 4 October 2024

Interview Dates: w/c 14 November 2024

Job Description

Union Chapel has been running an important project to assist asylum seekers resident in Islington contingency hotels. With funding made available by Islington Council, we provide wraparound support in the form of orientation workshops; health & wellbeing; information relating to the asylum process; ESOL classes; social activities & befriending.

Our Church has a strong commitment to social, economic, racial & climate justice. We aim to ensure dignity & self-determination for all who are seeking safety within the UK.

We are at Compton Terrace N1 but the bulk of the work will take place either in the hotels or in premises close to them in Kings Cross.

The post holder will work closely within the Church team & Margins staff, especially with our Social Justice Worker.

Some early evening work may be required.

Responsibilities & Duties

Run regular ESOL classes & organise new groups according to students’ needs
Recruit volunteers who will provide regular learning opportunities & befriending for hotel residents, including recruitment from within the resident group
Arrange Safeguarding courses & DBS checks for volunteers
Provide information to potential & newly recruited volunteers on the values, activities & scope of the programme
Maintain regular contact & support for volunteers
Manage a timetable for ESOL groups
Liaise with hotel staff & external partners to maximise learning opportunities for students
Plan English classes & provide appropriate learning materials & resources
Provide volunteers & participants with information on other opportunities within our programme such as workshops on the asylum process & health & wellbeing & other free opportunities
Report any safeguarding issues in a timely manner
Work closely with our Social Justice Worker & attend weekly drop-ins
Carry out follow-up referral work

Person Specification

Essential

Experience of providing ESOL

Understanding of approaches to language learning

Understanding of the situation of asylum seekers in the UK & empathise with them

Experience of volunteering, recruiting & supporting volunteers

Good organisational & administrative skills

Experience of group work in a community setting

Knowledge & understanding of safeguarding concerns for vulnerable adults

Desirable

Ability to speak one or more of the languages spoken by hostel residents, currently Farsi, Arabic, Tigrayan, Kurdish Sorani & French

Qualification in adult education

Salary: £21,418 (£30,596 pro rata for 3½ days / week)

Union Chapel UK

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