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A quick message to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year!
According to tradition, this is the time of year when we remember a family, forced by political policy, to leave their...
I welcome the spirit within you
Having a home is a basic human right. It is a right that many asylum seekers in Oxford are denied because they are not allowed to work or access public funding.
Around 300 asylum seekers are homeless or vulnerably housed in Oxford. There are also many generous, aware people with a spare room, who just may be able to help.
Namaste encourages, equips and supports local volunteer hosts to offer free accommodation to an asylum seeking guest for a period of a few weeks, months, or a year. The welcome, acceptance and stability this provides to a guest has a huge impact in helping them get their lives back on track.
News
Posted on 6 December 2011
So you like the idea of Namaste, but maybe you're not quite sure about hosting? Maybe you're not in a position to host, but think your friends or colleagues may be? Then invite me along to your group to talk about Namaste and explain how people can get involved and what it might mean...
Over recent weeks, I have been pleased to be invited to speak about Namaste at a number of events and organisations. In particular, it was great to be welcomed to speak about asylum seekers, homelessness and possible solutions (like hosting) at both Asylum Welcome and at Oxfam. Hopefully, the links forged there will prove fruitful over the weeks and months to come.
If you would like me to...
Posted on 5 December 2011
Hello, all, and welcome to the latest quarterly update from Namaste!
As always, once you have read this update, I would invite you to get in touch, and also please forward this message to your contacts and networks as widely as possible. In this technological age, word of mouth is still the best means of communication, even if that word is now digital!
Thank you so much to oxguin at ox4.org for all the work that went into the new website.
I hope you find it useful... on it you will find regular updates from Namaste as well as general news about asylum seekers, good news stories from our guests and hosts, as...
Posted on 28 October 2011
creative commons image - used with permission
I recently received the following update from an early guest of Namaste:
"he is at college doing full-time course, working on his english and enjoying it a lot; his housing and other needs are met and he is looking forward to what the future brings with anticipation and optimism"
What could be better?! The role of his host and the home they offered, if only for a short time, was invaluable to him in reaching this point. Please consider if you could host, and whilst such an outcome is far from guaranteed, the welcome you could give may help someone else find that same sense of optimism.
Posted on 28 October 2011
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The No Accommodation Network (NACCOM) is a national group of organisations, like and including Namaste, who work in various ways to find accommodation for asylum seekers. If you share this concern, then why not check them out?
The next gathering of affiliated groups and other interested parties is on Friday November 4th in Nottingham, will be at All Souls Community Centre, Ilkeston Road, Nottingham NG7 3HF. The meeting starts at 10.30, and will finish at around 3.00. You can find out more and book your place by emailing davesmith@boaztrust.org.uk
Why not check out the fabulous new website...
Posted on 28 October 2011
creative commons image - used with permission
Recently, local radio asked to talk to a guest, to discuss their experiences as a homeless asylum seeker and the impact that being offered accommodation had on their life. I helped the man, who was understandably shy, to think through what he would say. As I handed the phone to him and the presenter asked the first question, he went live. After some pre-amble, she asked, "so what is it like to be a guest in someone's house?" I anticipated what he would say... it's great.... it's changed my life... I've been so welcome.... His answer? ..."It's so hard...." And he's right. It IS hard. Asylum Seekers are like you and I .... capable, independent, adult individuals who are fighting...
Posted on 30 July 2011
I am delighted to say that the last few weeks have seen the successful conclusion of our first hosting arrangement!
Our host was able to offer accommodation, initially for one month, to a young man who had nowhere to stay with very few contacts or extended community members and very little english or awareness of British culture. Fortuitously, early in the process, the guest recieved his indefinite leave to remain. This meant that the hospitality was offered at exactly the right time, giving him the stability he needed to pursue benefits, accommodation and education, as well as some health issues. After a slight extension of the arrangement, allowing him to stay six weeks, he...
