Refugee Week: Let’s cut through the soundbites and be there for others
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As Refugee Week begins, our director Patrick O’Dowd highlights why it’s so important that we’re there for people seeking refuge and asylum in our communities…
“Despite the problems, risks, and difficulties to be faced, great numbers of migrants and refugees continue to be inspired by confidence and hope; in their hearts they long for a better future, not only for themselves but for their families and those closest to them.” Pope Francis Homily at Lampedusa, July 8, 2013
Every week when we scroll social media, listen to the radio, switch on the TV, consume news programmes or speak to neighbours in our local shops, it’s hard to avoid strong views and opinions on the topic of refugees, people seeking asylum and migration.
It’s an issue that can be incredibly polarising. The topic of how our country and communities respond to the needs of those coming to us at a time of great need is one that has – by some – been whipped up into a series of soundbites and political rhetoric.
Following violent conduct and public disorder in summer 2024, there appears to be a growing trend among certain voices in the national and local conversation regarding migrants and refugees deliberately seeking to promote falsehoods and fear. Instead, as an organisation motivated by faith, we categorically reject this narrative and instead choose to promote proper evidence-based understanding, solidarity and respect for human life.
Whatever one’s personal position may be, at Caritas we never lose sight of the fact that at the heart of the issue are real people; beyond the noise, headlines and attempts to garner votes, there are people who are vulnerable, have experienced trauma and are simply seeking safety, dignity and compassion.
Anyone can become a refugee at any time. War, famine, poverty, climate crises – these are all part of the many reasons why someone can be forced to flee the place they call home. To wrench themselves and their families away from danger, seeking a new life and a new community to be a part of.
As a charity we have a strong reputation for supporting people from a refugee background or those seeking asylum who have come to Greater Manchester or Lancashire.
Our services provide a welcome for many individuals and families, providing a place of safety where their human dignity is respected and promoted. We see first-hand the importance of safe, legal routes of migration as well as positive integration locally.
Safe routes for people seeking refugee status in the UK have been drastically reduced and it is increasingly difficult for people fleeing war or persecution to reach a place of safety in the UK without undertaking a perilous and risky journey.
Our staff and volunteers meet a huge range of people from different backgrounds, all keen to resettle and add value to our communities – from medical professionals to carers, teachers to pilots, engineers to shop assistants. We meet mothers, fathers, grandparents and children. Most just want a safe, secure place to call home and the dignity to carry on with their life in a positive way.
So, as Refugee Week 2025 begins, we take the opportunity to pause and remember the humanity at the heart of this issue.
Let’s not allow the transient attention grabbing headlines or harmful rhetoric to distract us from this and let’s remember that, underpinning everything, is that everyone has the right to have their human dignity protected and promoted, that everyone has the right to live in safety.
This is, and always will be, at the heart of our mission at Caritas.
To find out more about our work with people locally and how you can help support refugees and people seeking safety in your community, visit: www.caritassalford.org.uk/refugees
To find out more about our policy and advocacy work and ways you can get involved, visit www.caritassalford.org.uk/about/policy-and-advocacy/