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5 Estates Project
The purpose of
the 5 Estates project is to promote integration and good
neighbourliness by bringing people together to tackle shared
problems. The project is focused on asylum seekers and refuges,
economic migrants from Eastern Europe and existing well established
communities. By encouraging everyone to contribute to activities
that make life much better, this pilot project hopes to break down
barriers, reassure existing residents and helping newcomers to feel
at home, be part of the communities into which they are staying and
being able to influence decision making about their neighbourhood.
Research undertaken by the University of Birmingham and the Refugee
Council in 2007(Refugee Experiences of Integration) found that
asylum seekers and refugees in Dudley representation in decision
making at a local level was found to be low. Only a tiny minority
had ever been asked to contribute to the planning, design and
evaluation of local services. There were also a lack of consultation
on these issues - even issues which clearly had an impact on their
lives. Thus asylum seekers and refugees felt powerless to change
their neighbourhoods or the services provided for them.
The report recommended that new initiatives seeking to identify and
build upon shared interest between asylum seekers / refugees and
local community members would be beneficial in forming inclusive
networks and reducing tension and isolation.
The 5 Estates project will work with the respective Tenants and
Residents Associations (TRA’s) as each TRA comprise of local people
and are part of the decision making process at the neighbourhood
level.
The vision for the 5 Estates project is to:
- Improve the
life chances of asylum seekers and refugees
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Enable them to better able to
engage and influence decisions around service delivery
-
Work with the TRA’s to address
community tensions between the different communities on
respective estates
-
Enable asylum seekers and refugees
and migrants to have a voice in their communities
-
Encourage dialogue between asylum
seekers / refugees and the wider communities the project being
the interface with the general public
-
Create an environment to dispel
myths about asylum seekers and refugees through hosting conflict
resolution workshops in local communities and engagement with
children in local schools
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Develop a programme of community
involvement including outreach and information sessions, social
activities to bring newcomers and wider communities together,
focus groups to explore experiences and open consultation with
the aim of accessing information which would then be presented
to service providers.
-
Reduce misunderstanding and build
positive relationships
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Reduce fear and anxiety and enable
people to feel positive about diversity and proud of their
community.
Click here for the
5 Estates Project Evaluation Report >>
Click here for Calendar of Events >>
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