The Selim Project
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When the coronavirus lockdown was imposed on the United Kingdom in March 2020, most services in the statutory and charitable sectors moved to remote service delivery. And, since they were on the margins of the existing economic, health, and digital divides, refugees and asylum seekers were left with the daunting task of navigating a new online environment. In July 2020, we started The Selim Project with the hope of mitigating the adverse impacts of COVID-19 on refugees and asylum seekers. As part of our ‘respond and adapt’ strategy, we set up the Selim Project. Named in honour of one of our community members who sadly died of COVID-19, the project engages with migrant communities in Leeds and Wakefield.
The main objectives of the Selim Project are as follows:
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Our Model |
Impact |
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We in RETAS strongly believe in the effectiveness of partnership and collaboration. Guided by this spirit and acknowledging the enormity of the challenges of COVID-19, we collaborate with local authorities such Leeds City Council, Wakefield City Council, migrant community groups, refugee organizations and individual actors.
Our project team is made up of a dedicated group of volunteers and the Project Co-ordinator. We call our volunteers the ‘Community Ambassadors’ for they carry important work in acting as bridges between their respective communities and service providers, including statutory authorities. With their help, we have done the following activities:
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Informed by the knowledge and experience of our Community Ambassadors, the Selim Project has made great impact in raising awareness about COVID-19 and the vaccine, challenging misperceptions, and linking up with local decision-makers/partners. Dissemination and impact of the video/audio messages produced in community languages have been successful because of our effective community in-reach approach. Moreover, the Selim Project helped marginalised communities access vital mainstream support during the pandemic which the otherwise they wouldn't have been able to.
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Testimonials
‘People told me that, if I take the vaccine, I won’t be able to have children. But the information you have shared with us has given me confidence. That fact that it is in our language is also reassuring. I can understand what is being said. It helps, you know.’ |
‘because of my underlying health conditions, I was recently sent a letter about the ‘new shielding list’ by the NHS, but I did not take that seriously. However, attending today’s session has made me realize that it contains crucial information on COVID-19 risk factors. Now I know how important the NHS advice is.’ |
‘At first people in our community were afraid of taking the [COVID-19] vaccine. They were even challenging me when I started sharing information. I explained that we were sharing information from trusted sources and healthcare professionals from our community. After involving with Selim Project, myself, I had the confidence to take the vaccine. I am now fully vaccinated, and I use my case to encourage people in our community to do so. And many have changed their views on COVID-19 and the vaccine.’
Community Ambassador
For more information on the Selim Project, please contact RETAS Office or email the Project Co-ordinator, Fidelis Chebe at fidelis@retasleeds.co.uk