We Journey Together – represents the stories of 4 people going through the asylum process in the United Kingdom.
This creative short film was co-created with participants from the Govan Community Project, who wanted to dispel the misconceptions and show the reality and obstacles faced by those going through the asylum process in the UK.
Please note: potentially upsetting content and not advised for use with under 14's.
Running time: 9 minutes
THE FILM
PROCESS
Participants from Govan Community Project (GCP) carried out Participatory Action Research (PAR), which led to a desire to improve awareness of the Asylum Seeker & Refugee experience through designing a series of workshops and the creation of a short film. The primary focus of the project was on the Asylum system, identifying gaps in provision and ultimately informing improved system design and delivery processes.
Participants started by recording their stories, setting the scene of past lives; portraying traumatic, life-changing events; their accounts are intimate disclosures. The very nature of being in the asylum process means, for some, their ‘story’ has not yet been corroborated; the emphasis was to depict their experience judiciously. Experimenting with time-based art, we used multiple screens and objects as surfaces to project onto, producing an immersive environment in which participants remain visually unknown.
Combining created and sourced footage with multiple surfaces and screens, symbolizes the tenuous layers and fragility of their status, expressing their stories in an emotive way. This creative short film was co-created with The Portal Arts, PAR participants and wider GCP Peer Education group with support from Glasgow South Health Improvement Team - Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership (GHSCP).
RESOURCES
VIDEO HANDBOOK
This resource was designed by people with direct lived experience of the asylum system. The activities represent a “meeting” between asylum seekers & refugees and those that work with them. You can view and download the resource pack below.
ABOUT THE RESOURCE
‘We Journey Together’ is a resource pack for frontline staff and practitioners who may come into contact with asylum seekers and refugees. It comprises four session plans designed to raise
awareness of the asylum seeker & refugee experience, and to reduce the stigma that often surrounds people in the asylum system. The activities within this resource are designed to be
accessible to those with both limited and extensive facilitation experience, and for use with a wide range of support staff: from hospitals, to third sector organisations, to schools, to police.
Aims of ‘We Journey Together’
• To challenge misconceptions and negative stereotypes
surrounding asylum claimants and refugees
• To initiate discussion about the asylum system in Scotland, and beyond
• To begin to recognise the common experiences between old and
new scots that have the potential to support integration
Learning Outcomes
• Improved awareness of the experience of those going through the asylum process
• Increased understanding of the impact of the asylum system upon the individual, as well as its associated barriers to community integration
About Us
GOVAN COMMUNITY PROJECT
Govan Community Project (Scottish Charity No: SC042012) is a community-based organisation working in south west Glasgow. GCP provides direct services such as weekly drop-ins, advice, information and advocacy, cultural events, a community flat, English classes, destitution food project, hate-crime reporting and an interpreting service.
In addition the network facilitates forums bringing together public, voluntary and community organisations with local people to help plan public services, promote equal rights and opportunities and cross-cultural understanding, and to build bonds and links within and between communities.
THE PORTAL ARTS
The Portal Arts (formerly Plantation Productions) is an arts & media charity, embedded in the Govan community in Glasgow. The Portal Arts manages the Making Art Matter Programme, delivering participatory arts activity and events across the South West of Glasgow. Working in partnership with local services, organisations and community groups the programme engages with vulnerable adults, children & young people to improve opportunities and conditions for people and families who reside in areas of multiple deprivations. The Making Art Matter programme is designed to be inclusive and accessible, using the arts and media as a tool for social and physical regeneration.
Glasgow South Health Improvement Team - Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership (GHSCP)
Health Improvement Teams work to understand and respond to the health needs of local communities. The main aim of health improvement work is to generate and sustain good health and to reduce health inequalities.
This requires a long-term approach to work that relies on community participation and partnership working with other agencies and voluntary sector organisations. We have a strong focus on population groups who can be viewed as being more vulnerable to health inequalities.
Awareness raising and participatory projects are just some of the approaches we take from a range of health promotion methods. South Health Improvement Team are committed to highlighting the challenges experienced by local Asylum Seeker and Refugee Communities. The HSCP provides services dedicated to communities via the Asylum Health Bridging Team, The Anchor Service and Social Work's Asylum and Refugee Service.
