THE expiration of a free travel scheme for international protection applicants will have devastating consequences for their mental and physical health.
That is the view of the North West Migrants Forum following the ending of the Local Links programme.
Local Links was a six-month pilot scheme funded through Home Office dispersal funding. Since November 1 it has been a vital lifeline for thousands of asylum seekers who have been able to avail of free bus and rail services. Under current financial support arrangements, asylum seekers living in hotels receive just £8.86 per week while those in households get £49.18 to pay for food, clothes and toiletries.
Among the benefits of the scheme were:
- Individuals, families and pregnant mothers were able to attend health appointments such as GPs and hospitals without worrying about cost.
- Meetings could be taken up with agencies often centralised to Belfast, for example the Home Office. Local Links also made it easier to keep in touch with solicitors or organisations such as the Housing Executive and Jobs and Benefits Office.
- The scheme opened the door to education in that individuals could travel to school/college.
- It cut down isolation. Often those seeking sanctuary are placed in non-urban accommodation where they can feel cut off and unable to integrate.
It is not known how much the scheme cost to roll out and when asked by the Migrants Forum, the Department of Infrastructure (DfI) said it could not disclose the amount due to “commercial sensitivities”.
But during a meeting on Monday DfI – which delivered the scheme – was told by multiple organisations that the scheme’s ending has come as a massive blow to those seeking asylum.
‘IT LITERALLY CHANGED LIVES’
Gaelle Gormley is the North West Migrants Forum’s Integration and Welfare Officer.
She said Local Links had literally changed lives since being rolled out in November. Its ending after six months will have far-reaching consequences.
Mrs Gormley said, “From being isolated in hotels or houses where their mental and physical health was deteriorating, people were able to get out and build social connections in their communities. They were able to attend regular appointments with their GPs, solicitors and for those about to make the transition out of Mears accommodation, the housing authority.
“When asylum seekers in Derry want to speak to the Home Office, in some cases they have to make the long trip to Belfast. The Local Links scheme took the financial stress out of that.
“In Derry the hospital is on the outskirts of our town. For some people it is impossible to access by foot due to their conditions and even if using a HC1 form to claim a refund for their travel expenses, they often don’t have the money to cover the cost in advance.
“For individuals living outside of a city or town, the scheme meant they were able to attend English language classes, a vital gateway to eventually securing employment.
“For parents, Local Links meant they were able to take a more central role in their children’s education. They could make the trip by bus to their school where they could meet teachers and other parents.
“In Derry the local food bank is out of town and for many, beyond their walking capabilities. Being able to take a bus allowed them to access what is often an essential service.
“And on a more general level the scheme meant being able to socialise and meet friends – the building blocks of good mental wellbeing.
“There is a cruelty in taking all that away and it feels like we are re-entering an era where people have to choose between buying food for their children or purchasing a bus ticket to attend vital appointments.
“I would strongly urge the Home Office to look at the Local Links scheme again and find a way of reinstating such an important scheme as soon as possible.”