Agenda item

Anne James introduced this report. She gave apologies from Anne Gachango and gave the following presentation:

·       There had been collaboration with key partners on this issue

·       A Health Needs Assessment had been made of refugees and asylum seekers in Bristol

·       Work had been taking place at the Haven Health Service and commissioning work on children’s mental health services

·       Health courses had been operating with ambassadors for COVID and vaccine champions

·       Task and Finish Groups and welcome workshops for refugees living in temporary accommodation in Bristol would be set up as part of the resettlement programmes for asylum seekers

·       Charging for letters has been minimised for resettlement scheme clients who are entitled to receive NHS care

·       Campaigning – it was recommended that BCC campaigns for more mental health services for refugees and for the Race Equality in COVID group to take a more campaigning role

·       CCG has provided funding for increased capacity for Hope – Asylum Seeker and Trauma Refugee Services

·       Following the afghan refugee crisis in the middle of 2021, this had changed the way of working for refugees in the city

·       Bristol City Council had approximately 600 people in private sector accommodation across the city

·       There had been a pledge to support 15 ACRS and 15 UKRS families each year

·       Operation Warm Welcome had started from around June 2021 and the response had started in July 2021. 15,000 people were settled within a week, some of them in Bristol with around 270 Afghan adults and children in temporary accommodation. In addition, there had been 200 asylum seekers housed in temporary accommodation in Bristol

·       The way we supported families changed as large numbers of people received health support (COVID vaccinations including at the moment boosters, NMR jabs, TB screening, Hepatitis B and Vitamin D jabs). The CCG had worked closely with us

·       220 people had been seen for dental screening in two days. Anyone with dental pain is requested to phone 111

·       Increased resources had been provided to ensure additional funding for health as well as maternity services and which had been organised at operational level. There had been weekly meetings concerning the refugee sector and armed forces

·       There had been mobilisation of befrienders, walking groups, sewing groups and the local language service

·       The DWP were working with migrants and refugees. A large part of my role is to mobilise Bristol residents to support them

·       Organisations who had provided support included Bristol Zoo, Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, Bristol Library, M Shed, We The Curious, Laundry Services, Wilko (who had provided a large number of household goods). Resources had to be redirected to new arrivals from Afghanistan

Board members made the following comments:

·       70 refugee children in the city had been traumatised and some in residential homes. The trauma for may people had been significant and would be with them for most of their lives

·       In the case of Syria, refugees had been selected from those with the most need. A great deal of good work had been carried out. Anyone who wished to see this should see the video on the website

·       Translations into Arabic had assisted with the provisions of vaccination

The Chair requested that organisations who were attending the Board meeting should cascade this request for accommodation as required.