By Helen Fay
Members of the VOICES Network took part in a litter pick in the streets around their Armley base.
The VOICES Network is an independent initiative supported by the Red Cross. It is located in various locations around the country, and the West Yorkshire project is based in Armley.
Shah Mahmood Nasiri, Participation Officer for the West Yorkshire VOICES network, explained: “The VOICES Network is an independent network composed of asylum seekers, refugees and those who experience destitution here.
“We call them experts by experience because they know first-hand how the asylum system in this country runs and the hardship of being refugees and asylum seekers.”
VOICES Ambassadors represent thousands of asylum seekers and migrants who face
language barriers, and who have no access to raise their issues and concerns. They
give them a voice to express their needs and opinions and the ability to engage in
positive change.
He added: “VOICES Ambassadors are independent volunteers and some attended a meeting with the Home Office to discuss the asylum system and ways in which it can be improved.
“We have been engaged in a number of events – VOICES Ambassadors have attended Parliament, spoken with MPs and met King Charles to talk about the main three key objectives of changing perceptions, policies and practices.”
Mr Nasiri’s background was working as a surgeon in Afghanistan, then involvement with international emergency organisations or many years. Due to the fragile political situation in Afghanistan and other reasons, Shah had to flee his country.
Mr Nasiri said refugees and migrants faced limited finances, resulting in issues travelling to essential appointments or to college courses; social isolation affecting mental health; and long delays in asylum status being processed causing further stress.
Shah said: “Some people say they don’t want migrants, but people don’t leave their home and family unless there is something wrong and life-threatening situations push them to flee the country.
“But once people are here they bring not only their experience of the asylum system, but different kinds of expertise they have – doctors, engineers, teachers and those from other fields.
“These are all good contributions to bring to the socio-economic development of the country. They are not here just to receive support from the government, they are also here to support the government and society, to contribute to the betterment of society.”
As part of Refugee Week in June, one of the VOICES Ambassadors, Joseph, suggested a litter pick in the local area as the theme was “Community as a Superpower”.
The Ambassadors wanted to do something to bring a positive change. A preliminary assessment found an area nearby blighted by litter and rubbish.
VOICES approached Armley councillor Andy Parnham, who put them in touch with
New Wortley Community Centre.
“Andrea and all the staff there were fantastic”, Mr Nasiri said. “They provided us with hi viz vests, litter pickers and bags.”
Ann, one of the VOICES Ambassadors who took part, told WLD: “The litter picking
activity we did in Armley had a positive impact on me personally. It helped me
mentally and physically and made a positive impact in the community – we got so
many good comments from passers-by, saying we were doing a good job.”
Find out more about the VOICES Network here and Refugee Week here.
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