Right to Refuge: a SolidariTee podcast

In this episode, SolidariTee CEO Alexa Netty speaks to Nantina Tsekeri, head of Defence for Children International (DCI) Greece, one of SolidariTee's grant recipients. They discuss DCI Greece's recent report, 'In The Shadows', which analyses the challenges by accompanied children and their mothers on the move in Greece, and the importance of legal and psychosocial aid in providing support to these groups. We are grateful to Nantina for her participation and the insights she provided about these issues. To read DCI Greece's report: https://www.defenceforchildrengreece.org/_files/ugd/936582_475c9487fd97426d84e2341f61e52647.pdf https://www.solidaritee.org.uk IG @teesofsolidarity Twitter @SolidariTeeUK Presented by Alexa Netty, SolidariTee CEO Produced and edited by Jenny Frost Music by Efeloji

In this episode we had the privilege of speaking with Nasrin Parvaz, from the Freedom from Torture Survivors Speak OUT Network. Nasrin is an Iranian activist, author and artist, who was imprisoned in Iran for eight years before coming to the UK as a refugee thirty years ago. Nasrin tells us parts of her story, talks about her books and her artwork, and reminds us of the urgency of showing solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers. We are grateful to Nasrin for her time and openness in recording this podcast with us. We would also like to thank the team at Freedom from Torture for facilitating this podcast taking place. To learn more about Nasrin: http://www.nasrinparvaz.org/web/ To order Nasrin's books: http://www.nasrinparvaz.org/web/category/books/ Learn more about Freedom from Torture: https://www.freedomfromtorture.org/ Freedom from Torture Survivors Speak OUT: https://www.freedomfromtorture.org/what-we-do/survivor-activism/survivors-speak-out https://www.solidaritee.org.uk IG @teesofsolidarity Twitter @SolidariTeeUK Presented by Alexa Netty, SolidariTee CEO Produced and edited by Jenny Frost Music by Efeloji

In this episode we speak to SolidariTee's CEO, Lexi Netty, about SolidariTee's 2023 Week of Action theme, which is Shifting the Spotlight - recentring and spotlighting refugee narratives in contexts or areas of the world which often receive little attention from the media. We talk about the importance of the work of SolidariTee and the NGOs we support in Greece, as well as discussing refugee issues in Venezuela, Haiti, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and beyond. https://www.solidaritee.org.uk IG @teesofsolidarity Twitter @SolidariTeeUK Presented, produced and edited by Jenny Frost Music by Efeloji

In this episode, Newcastle Team Lead Emma talks to Asma Patel, the director of Endless Medical Advantage (EMA). EMA is an organisation working to provide healthcare services and humanitarian relief support for refugee and vulnerable communities across the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. They discuss EMA, the refugee context in Lebanon, volunteer tourism and more. More from SolidariTee: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk IG @teesofsolidarity Twitter @SolidariTeeUK Hosted by Emma Pallent Produced and edited by Sophie Cowell Music by Efeloji

In this episode we speak to Amos Schonfield, the founder of Our Second Home, a youth movement providing residential experiences and leadership training to help refugees and migrants flourish. This episode goes alongside SolidariTee's careers event held in October about careers in activism and in the refugee sector. Amos talked with us about the development of his career, the joys and challenges of founding your own organisation, and studying migration at university. Learn more: https://www.oursecondhome.org.uk/home https://www.solidaritee.org.uk IG @teesofsolidarity Twitter @SolidariTeeUK Presented, produced and edited by Jenny Frost Music by Efeloji

In this episode, SolidariTee President Louisa and CEO Lexi discuss the recent flooding in Pakistan. Lexi works on secondment at the Disasters Emergency Committee, which recently launched the Pakistan Floods Appeal. They discuss the impact of the flooding, the lack of media attention, climate migration, and more. Lexi and Louisa were joined at several points in their discussion by some friendly local dogs – apologies for the background noise! Learn more at: https://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/pakistan-2022-monsoon-floods-situation-report-no-6-16-september-2022 https://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/pakistan-2022-monsoon-floods-situation-report-no-9-14-october-2022 https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/pakistan-floods-appeal More from SolidariTee: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk IG @teesofsolidarity Twitter @SolidariTeeUK Produced and edited by Sophie Cowell Music by Efeloji

In this episode we speak to Stuart Meyers, LGBTQI+ Asylum Support Worker at Rainbow migration. Rainbow Migration gives free and confidential legal advice to LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum. They also provide emotional support to those who are going through the asylum process and help them with accessing housing and health services. If you need support, please get in touch via this link. We discuss the issues in the UK asylum system, and how this impacts those seeking asylum for reasons relating to their gender identity or sexual orientation. If you’d like to learn more about the work that Rainbow Migration does, feel free to subscribe to their newsletter or check out their social media: @rainbowmigration Add your name to call for an end to LGBTQI+ detention here: Handraiser CN/TW- mentions of discrimination, abuse, homophobia and transphobia. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not reflect the views or positions of SolidariTee. Editing- Jess Clifford Music- Efeloji

In this episode we discuss the experiences of LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers in Greece, and the work Fenix Humanitarian Legal Aid do to support them. Abby Field from Fenix works in the family reunification team, assisting individuals with their applications to be reunited with family members in other European Union countries under the Dublin III Regulation. We discuss the Eurocentric expectations of LGBTQ+ individuals to conform to harmful stereotypes, and the number of issues they face during the asylum process. TW/CN: mentions of homophobia, transphobia, sexual violence Fenix are currently one of SolidariTee's grant recipients. To learn more about Fenix go to: https://www.fenixaid.org Editing- Jess Clifford Music- Efeloji

This episode, we talk to Lydia Siapardani from the Irida Center about the work they do to support women in the area. The centre aims to provide support to women in all areas, offering protection services, legal aid, education, recreational activities, social connections and emergency response. The discussion centres around safe spaces for women, the limitations of resources, and the issues these women face. This episode was originally recorded in December 2021. After two years of lockdown this was the first winter Irida Women's Centre remained open, continuing to offer essential support to refugee, asylum-seeking, migrant and local women. In 2022, Irida successfully re-established Child Safe Space, for children of pre'school age. It also launched the Irida Solidarity Free Shop, to provide women and their families who are not eligible to receive cash assistance with decent access to food items and non-food necessities. To find out more about Irida and its latest developments, you can follow them on instagram @iridacentre https://www.iridacenter.org Edited by Jess Clifford Music by Efeloji

In this episode, Outreach Director Izzy and Team SolidariTee Director Jess discuss the importance of a gendered lens when considering refugee experiences. Discussions focus around the impact of gender at different stages of displacement, and the issues occurring when there is a lack of gendered consideration. CN/TW- mentions of FGM, sexual assault, transphobia, rape and violence At SolidariTee, we want to raise awareness of issues which affect refugees and welcome the voices of those with lived experiences. Please get in touch if you are a displaced person who would like to speak on any of the issues we cover here. Over the next few episodes we will be speaking to experts and our volunteers to unpack a variety of issues impacting different groups of refugees and welcome external thought - just message us on our instagram or Facebook if you'd like to offer feedback. Further reading: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yubObAmtxdnp3JVUGnmRmXNMcLfrSRSpioikiUnbfDU/edit Editing- Jess Clifford Music- Efeloji

The Mobile Info Team (MIT) has supported over 700 asylum cases, representing over 1,500 refugees, and specialises in family reunification. They are one of the organisations that SolidariTee have funded in the 2020-21 academic year. SolidariTee executive director Alexa Netty speaks to MIT director Michael Kientzle, about their work and the current situation for those seeking asylum in Greece.

In this episode, we speak to Dr Cathy Elliot from the UCL School of Political Science about the 'politics of pity'. The ways in which we, as those who are frequently the providers, as opposed to the beneficiaries of financial and other forms of aid, view and relate to those we seek to help is a notoriously complex issue. When people are only motivated to help others to dispel their own feelings of discomfort, upholding respect and dignity, and providing empowering aid becomes difficult. In this episode we explore the concepts of saviourism, compassion fatigue, and storytelling as a means to effect change. Further reading resources: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk/right-to-refuge More from SolidariTee: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk/ IG @teesofsolidarity Twitter @SolidariTeeUK FB https://www.facebook.com/teesofsolidarity

In this episode, Flic is joined by Dr. Siyana Mahroof-Shaffi, founder and chair of trustees of Kitrinos Healthcare, to discuss the provision of healthcare for refugees as well as the impact Covid-19 has had on it. Further reading resources: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk/right-to-refuge More from Kitrinos Healthcare: https://www.kitrinoshealthcare.org/about-us/ IG @teamkitrinos Twitter @TeamKitrinos FB https://www.facebook.com/TeamKitrinos More from SolidariTee: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk/ IG @teesofsolidarity Twitter @SolidariTeeUK FB https://www.facebook.com/teesofsolidarity

Content Warning: mention of torture and survivors of sexual abuse. For this episode, SolidariTee Comms Officer Becca is joined by Jumana Abo Oxa, the Mental Health and Protection Manager at Elpida Home. They talk about the work of Elpida Home, and the importance of an inclusive approach when working with refugees and asylum seekers. Further reading resources: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk/right-to-refuge More from Elpida Home: https://elpidahome.org/ IG @elpidahome More from SolidariTee: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk/ IG @teesofsolidarity Twitter @SolidariTeeUK FB https://www.facebook.com/teesofsolidarity Music by Alex Bokhari Produced by Emma Penney

In this episode, Regional Focal Point (RFP) Anna and member of the Comms Team Cicely discuss how to best approach having difficult conversations with people – whether friends, family or strangers – who might disagree with you, or simply might not know much about the refugee crisis. Further reading resources: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk/right-to-refuge More from SolidariTee: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk/ IG @teesofsolidarity Twitter @SolidariTeeUK FB https://www.facebook.com/teesofsolidarity Music by Alex Bokhari Produced by Emma Penney

In this episode, Team SolidariTee Director Rosie talks to the founder of SolidariTee Tiara about volunteering in refugee camps. They talk about making sure the organisation you're with is sustainable, and how to choose the best placement for you. Further reading resources: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk/right-to-refuge More from SolidariTee: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk/ IG @teesofsolidarity Twitter @SolidariTeeUK FB https://www.facebook.com/teesofsolidarity Music by Alex Bokhari Produced by Emma Penney

In this episode, Fundraising Director Flic is joined by Phillip from European Lawyers in Lesvos, one of the NGOs SolidariTee is supporting in 2020-21. They talk about the problem with describing the refugee crisis as a crisis, and the importance of legal representation for asylum seekers. European Lawyers in Lesvos is one of the organisations SolidariTee is funding through our 2020-21 grants. Further reading resources: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk/right-to-refuge More from ELIL: https://www.europeanlawyersinlesvos.eu/ IG @europeanlawyerslesvos Twitter @ELIL_Greece More from SolidariTee: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk/ IG @teesofsolidarity Twitter @SolidariTeeUK FB https://www.facebook.com/teesofsolidarity Music by Alex Bokhari Produced by Emma Penney

This episode explores the power of language and how it shapes and influences the way we talk about the refugee crisis. We discuss how SolidariTee navigates this discourse, and how we use language that aligns with our values. Further reading resources: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk/right-to-refuge More from SolidariTee: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk/ IG @teesofsolidarity Twitter @SolidariTeeUK FB https://www.facebook.com/teesofsolidarity Music by Alex Bokhari Produced by Emma Penney

This episode explores the basic principles, definitions and assumptions that shape the way we talk about the refugee crisis. We discuss the definition of a refugee, how it differs from that of an asylum seeker, and why we think legal aid is so important. Further reading resources: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk/right-to-refuge More from SolidariTee: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk/ IG @teesofsolidarity Twitter @SolidariTeeUK FB https://www.facebook.com/teesofsolidarity Music by Alex Bokhari Produced by Emma Penney

Introducing Right to Refuge, a podcast brought to you by SolidariTee, an international charity who work to raise awareness of the refugee crisis and offer grants to NGOs providing legal aid and other vital support to refugees and asylum seekers. Music by Alex Bokhari Produced by Emma Penney More from SolidariTee https://www.solidaritee.org.uk Instagram: @teesofsolidarity Twitter: @SolidariTeeUK Facebook: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk