At least 60 people from across Thames Valley Citizens gathered in Oxford on Thursday 24 October to hear experiences and barriers facing those who’ve recently migrated to the UK, celebrate the progress in local migration justice campaigns, and join with Citizens UK’s national campaign to ensure the UK’s pathway to citizenship is timely, affordable, and fair.
Following their inaugural summit, Thames Valley Citizens were delighted to be able to celebrate the success of their campaign for Oxfordshire County Council to a pilot a scheme providing day passes for asylum seekers. The scheme will see each individual asylum seeker in Oxford able to receive 15-day bus passes every two months.
The Diocese of Oxford is a strategic partner of Thames Valley Citizens. Bishop Steven, who is also a patron of Asylum Welcome, said: “Oxford is known as a generous city and the decision of the council to pilot free bus tickets for asylum seekers is a further demonstration of that generosity and will help those who have least to be more at home and be a tangible sign of welcome from our whole community.”
The bus campaign, led by Oxford Citizens through Asylum Welcome, supported a group of asylum seekers to share their experiences and negotiate with the council and bus companies. The summit heard asylum seekers share about the difference free bus travel would make to their lives, enabling them to attend important appointments (eg GP appointments), and join community events which are crucial for their integration and wellbeing.
One individual explained how they had been living in a local hotel for two and a half years, waiting for a decision on their asylum claim and with no right to work. One outing by bus, would cost at least half of their weekly £8.86 allowance. They spoke of feeling trapped and isolated in a small, shared hotel room and how this affects their mental health. Nataliia, a Ukrainian refugee who came to Oxford through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, shared how her free bus pass had been crucial in helping her navigate and settle in a new city.
Cllr Gant, cabinet member for transport management, joined the event and was presented with a double decker bus stress ball to illustrate how stress would be relieved with the provision of free bus tickets for asylum seekers. The 60 event attendees also signed mock bus tickets illustrating that they were ‘on board’ with the bus ticket pilot proposal.
The summit also showcased the progress in Reading Citizens’ hotel food campaign which is seeking the provision of sufficient and nutritious food for asylum seekers living in local hotel accommodation. There was also spirit-lifting music from Starling Sessions, a global folk community choir and orchestra, performing traditional music from all over the world through the people of Oxford.
Hannah Ling, Social Justice Adviser at the Diocese of Oxford, concluded the event with a reflection based on Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s call for us to all ‘do your little bit of good where you are; [as] it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world”, and encouraging the continuation of work on the Citizens UK campaigns for migration justice across Thames Valley and nationally over the coming months and years.
Organisations involved in event planning and campaign action include members of Thames Valley Citizens, particularly the Diocese of Oxford, Asylum Welcome, Church Mission Society, Britain Hub, Slough Refugee Support, Berkshire’s Refugee Support Group, the Oxford Unitarians, Utulivu, and Project Salama.