AT the October meeting members heard from Marsela Hoxha, operations director of the Refugee Council, about her experiences as an asylum seeker from Albania and her role working with asylum seekers. This was a topical talk as on the same day Keith Vaz MP, all-party home affairs select committee chairman, was reporting on the backlog of 32,000 cases, some waiting for 16 years for processing.

Marsela said as a signatory to the Geneva Convention, Britain was required to accept asylum seekers and support them while their cases were investigated. There are offices throughout the UK and our nearest is in Birmingham. The Refugee Council is Home Office funded and applicants are initially offered hostel accommodation whilst their case is examined and their financial situation established, when this is done they are dispersed to long term accommodation. Applicants are provided with a small subsistence grant and are not permitted to take employment. This they find very frustrating as they have often come from professional occupations.

Marsela was a teacher in her home country, she came as a refugee in 2001 and at that time was unable to speak English but since her arrival had taught herself and is now fluent. Her own experience has enabled her to assist those in similar situations and although a very stressful occupation it is also rewarding. She welcomed the opportunity to raise awareness of the situations faced by refugees and promote a more positive image.

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