"I wanted to help... to improve the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers and show that they are welcome and valued in our community"

Today we are delighted to hear from our new young volunteer Steph who brings her experience and enthusiasm to working with local asylum seekers at a weekly drop-in session.   We asked Steph about her background and motivation and found her answers truly inspiring!

⁠⁠I know you have recently graduated from Durham Uni with a degree in Geography and are about to start a Masters in Human Rights at the LSE. Can you tell us a little bit about your background and your different interests? 

I have always been interested in politics and human rights, which I thoroughly enjoyed developing through an undergraduate degree in human geography. Throughout my degree, I have been particularly drawn to studying migration and seeking to understand and question the systems that govern it. In my final year, my dissertation focused specifically on sexuality-based asylum claims in the UK, and how the process of seeking asylum in these instances radically altered people’s understanding of their sexuality and how it “should be” performed. I am especially passionate about platforming the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees, as I believe this is a powerful tool in exposing the misinformation and scapegoating that is so prominent today. I hope to dedicate my career to this.
 
How did you hear about Herts Welcomes Refugees?
After returning from uni, I knew I wanted to do some local volunteering during the summer and throughout my Masters to give back to my community. I was particularly looking for opportunities to volunteer among refugees and asylum seekers and lo and behold, a quick Google search introduced me to Herts Welcomes Refugees!
 
What led you to volunteer with Herts Welcomes Refugees?  Is there a particular motivating factor? 
Learning about the UK asylum system and the experiences of refugees throughout my degree and through my dissertation massively contributed to my decision to volunteer with Herts Welcomes Refugees! Every step of the way for people seeking refuge can be immensely difficult, dangerous and traumatic – from the decision to leave the place you call home, to finding yourself in a strange new place, simultaneously navigating the desire to start a new life, and being denied autonomy by the government. I wanted to help in any way that I could to improve the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers and show that they are welcome and valued in our community, contrary to popular right-wing narratives in the media.
 
What does your volunteering involve?
I attend a weekly drop-in session at my local hotel alongside other volunteers, welcoming new arrivals, introducing them to our charity and making them aware of activities and classes in the hotel that they can attend.  We also provide advice and support where possible – this could be help to understand letters from the Home Office, signposting to specialist organisations, or helping with applications for college and university. It is really varied! I have only been volunteering for a few weeks, but already I have been able to see the outcomes of the support I have helped to provide and build bonds with residents.
 
What do you find most challenging and most rewarding about the work? 
I think the most challenging thing is the environment. Hotels are a hostile architecture for temporary accommodation; their locations can be isolating, residents have limited freedom to cook, explore, and socialise, and the “temporary” nature of these places makes it difficult for some to feel secure. While HWR does everything it can to make these spaces more welcoming and enjoyable, it is challenging to see how being in this accommodation limits people. In a similar vein, what I find most rewarding is seeing residents enjoy taking part in activities together, forming friendships and feeling empowered. Seeing the positive impacts of HWR’s work is so inspiring and is my favourite part of volunteering!
 
What would you say to anyone thinking of volunteering with Herts Welcomes Refugees?
Just go for it! There are so many different areas and roles to be involved in, and so volunteering can be flexible around other commitments. The volunteers are so welcoming, kind, and knowledgeable, and it is truly an amazing charity to be a part of. Volunteering with refugees and asylum seekers is so rewarding and is an important way to contribute to the local community!