Learn about Refugees and the UK’s Asylum System.

The Hostile Environment - the UK’s Asylum System

A workshop for people who want to learn more about asylum in the UK. We hear a lot about refugees and other migrants in the media and the narrative is often very negative, particularly when it comes to asylum seekers. Our aim with this workshop is to spread awareness of the Hostile Environment and its impact.

This is particularly useful training for professionals who regularly come into contact with asylum seekers & refugees and would benefit from learning more about the kind of experiences they may have.

Beyond the headlines and the political rhetoric, what does it mean to be a refugee?

Is an asylum seeker different?

Why are people paying smugglers to get in small boats?

Outcomes

At the end of the workshop you will:

  • know the difference between terms like refugee & asylum seeker, smuggling & trafficking

  • be aware of the global context of forced migration and the role of the UK within it

  • have an understanding of the process of seeking asylum in the UK and how the Hostile Environment affects real people

Half Day Training

(3 hour session, with breaks)

Between 6 and 12 participants.

All materials included.

£500

Workshops can be tailored to suit your group’s particular needs and objectives. We can deliver the training in your workplace or, sometimes, in our own space in Govanhill.

Get in touch to book your session.

Please email: hellomilkglasgow@gmail.com

  • "It was really good. I felt angry, connected and I learned a lot."

    Workshop participant, Refugee Festival 2023.

  • "I appreciated the collaborative spirit and atmosphere to encourage participation."

    Workshop participant, Refugee Festival 2023

  • "I felt much more aware of some facts and fundamentals about refugees, the way they're treated and the (misleading) language around them."

    Workshop participant, Refugee Festival 2023.

  • Everyone should know about how the UK treats people who come to our country looking for safety.

    Workshop participant, 2023

  • “Informative, concise and eye-opening. Useful tools to deconstruct a dangerous current narrative.”

    Participant, February 2024

How To Talk To Your Racist Uncle

And other difficult conversations…

We all know them. Friends, neighbours, family members who we don’t quite see eye-to-eye with. They’re kind people and yet, they express some views you find… troubling.

This training session builds on our introductory session to the UK asylum system. For people who know that the housing crisis has more to do with years of public spending cuts, greedy corporations and savvy billionaires than it does with asylum-seeking families having to live in a hotel room.

So many people are struggling with rising costs, housing issues, poor public services and deteriorating mental health with no hope of help with endless NHS wait lists. Through this training we don’t seek to dismiss these legitimate concerns but learn how we can engage in conversations that encourage others to look up at those with wealth and power, rather than falling for the political scape-goating.

Practise tricky discussions through role play

Learn how to de-escalate and not get dragged into shouting matches

Arm yourself with key facts and talking points

Outcomes

At the end of the workshop you will:

  • be aware of different techniques for responding to confronting opinions and engaging in productive conversation

  • have a deeper understanding of the Hostile Environment and more knowledge of the realities faced by migrants in the UK

  • Leave ready to engage in constructive dialogue that builds bridges

2 Hour Training

Pay-what-you-can

We really want to get this information out as far and wide as possible and so to make the session accessible we are offering it for free, with donations very welcome from those who can afford it.

Next session:

Wednesday 22nd July 6pm-8pm

BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE

Keen to do the session but can’t make it in July?

If you and your pals/colleagues/teammates would like to have us facilitate this workshop please get in touch - we’d love to make it work

hellomilkglasgow@gmail.com

As well as academic qualifications and an understanding of the legal context of asylum in the UK, our years of experience working with asylum seekers and refugees have given us an insight into some of what people seeking protection in the UK go through. We never want to speak on behalf of others, especially people whose voices are so often ignored, but we do feel a responsibility to use our privileged position and knowledge to tell others what exactly our representatives in government are doing and how this impacts real people.