Thursday, March 11, 2010
Students around UK learn about experience and needs of refugee children
Sessions are being held by Beba Parker at universities around the UK to give students the opportunity to learn about the experience of children and what they can do to help.
Refugee children are amongst the most vulnerable groups in our society. They have often experienced violence, loss and separation and this can impact on the wellbeing of children. Difficult experiences can result in depression, post-traumatic stress, substance abuse or worse.
Why the training sessions are important
Beba: “The sessions are good for raising awareness about the basic issues around refugee children. It gives people a different perspective, from the refugees leaving their country of origin to the experiences they have in the UK. It provides a basic overview of the most relevant issues.”
“Fantastic, extremely useful and enjoyable session, many thanks!”
STAR members are currently involved in a number of projects working with children from a refugee background. In London, Kings College STAR volunteers have a long-standing partnership with the Katherine Lowe Settlement to run an after-school homework and social club for 35 refugee children aged 5-15. Twenty STAR volunteers tutor refugee children and provide games, workshops and day trips.
It is important for us to examine the impact of these experiences on refugee children because we work so closely with them. That is why STAR has been running Awareness Session days in universities across the UK. So far the session has been successfully held at Bristol, Birmingham, King’s College London, Southampton, Barts and De Montfort with more sessions to be held soon.
“I found this training useful and imaginative, the trainer was excellent.”
Members are able to learn more about the impact past experiences may have had on refugee children and the challenges they face in the UK.
The course enables members to:
- Describe experiences of refugee children
- Explain how these may impact on their wellbeing
- Identify risk and protective factors
- Identify strategies which offer support
- Describe how cultural differences impact on children’s resilience
- Explain the importance of boundaries
What students do well
Beba: “[STAR] volunteers are so nice and enthusiastic…They are also more dynamic…I always get good feedback and emails thanking me for the training sessions. The work they are already doing is very supportive; activities like the Homework Club are really good… just being there for the children helps. Their empathy can be really beneficial to the children and listening to them is really one of the key things…sometimes the simplest things can be really helpful…I also think it’s great that they make time as many of the students have a big workload. I just hope I have the chance to train them again!”
“Really useful- fantastic training!”
So far the course has been a huge success! Volunteers that have attended the Awareness Sessions say that they have gained valuable insight into the experience of refugees.
“Was a brilliant session! Well presented”
If you want more information on the awareness sessions, please contact the national office.
Posted by Communications on 11/03/2010 at 03:16 PM
