A Right to a Voice logoA Right to a Voice

In 2007 the UK Government withdrew the right of asylum seekers to attend English language courses for their first six months. Waiting for such a long time has costly consequence on both individuals and society as it aggravates feelings of isolation, affecting mental health, well-being and inhibiting community cohesion. It also creates additional difficulty in understanding medical advice or communicating with public bodies.

Sign the pledge to show your support. Everyone has the right to a voice!

On the 10th of December 2008, as the world celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights, NIACE launched A Right to a Voice, to highlight the injustice and damage of ESOL policy changes upon asylum seekers. The Declaration states: EVERYONE has the right to education regardless of nation or social origin, birth or other status. It is the UK's moral duty and responsibility to help those seeking safety in our country by providing at the very least, their basic human right to education from the day they arrive.

What can you do?

  • Join our campaign by contacting us at voicecampaign@niace.org.uk
  • Write to your MP and ask for ESOL to be re-instated for asylum seekers from day one.
  • Collect case studies and send them to NIACE

  • Email your colleagues with the campaign's information

Campaign materials

Civil action

In parallel to A Right to a Voice, NIACE is setting up groups for asylum seekers, supported by volunteers, to meet weekly and help each other. The six-month pilot programme of activities, Welcome to Britain - [Word], is being tested. If you would like to be a volunteer or offer a venue please complete the Right to a Voice form - [Word]  or contact us at voicecampaign@niace.org.uk for more information.

A participant on A Right to a Voice workshop for volunteers, said:

"[The] wonderfully inspiring training day at the Refugee Council in Brixton...was just what I needed to kick start me...I'm so impressed by the amount of work you have put into the project since the training day I attended in the spring."

"I've been looking through the materials...and I reckon anyone could start up a group with the support, suggestions and contacts [available]. The contents convey a feeling of efficient simplicity which I find appealing...I'm excited by the idea of the learners assessing their own progress."

Resource materials for volunteers

Supporters

The momentum for A Right to a Voice is growing. Over 100 organisations and individuals have now expressed support for the campaign. These include organisations like:

  • NATECLA (National Association for Teaching English and other Community Languages to Adults)
  • UCU (University and College Union)
  • AoC (Association of Colleges)
  • ACM (Assocation for College Management)
  • LLU+
  • Open University
  • NUS (National Union of Students)
  • the Refugee Council
  • Oxfam and
  • many colleges.

High profile individuals include:

  • the Archbishop of Canterbury
  • Rabbi Rich
  • Baroness Sharp of Guildford and
  • Glenys Kinnock.

Related items

Podcasts

To download the podcast, click the link below. If it does not automatically start playing, save the file onto your computer and then play it back through your usual media player. Where indicated, transcripts of the podcasts have also been provided for users with hearing impairments.

  • A Right to a Voice - Kaiwan's Story - [3 MB]December 10, 2008 - 14:50

    To highlight why NIACE has launched the campaign - A Right to a Voice - Ed Melia, NIACE Press Officer, spoke to Kaiwan Mahmud, an Adult Learners' Week winner from 2007. Kaiwan talks about his life in Iraq, his long journey to England and how he adapted to life here.

     

  • A Right to a Voice - get involved

    Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 15:45
    Right to a Voice Logo

    NIACE supports the learning of asylum seekers. As part of A Right to a Voice, NIACE is setting up groups for asylum seekers, supported by volunteers, to meet weekly and help each other.

    More!

  • A Right to a Voice campaign boosted by widespread support

    Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 16:00
    A Right to a Voice campaign boosted by widespread support

    Over 50 organisations and individuals have pledged to help NIACE with our A Right to a Voice Campaign to help asylum seekers get free English classes.

    More!

  • Asylum seekers need free English classes, urges campaign

    Wednesday, December 10, 2008 - 15:13
    Family of Asyllum Seekers

    Asylum seekers should be entitled to free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and not have to wait until their claims for asylum have been approved.

    More!

  • A Right to a Voice - Kaiwan's Story

    Wednesday, December 10, 2008 - 14:59
    Kaiwan Mahmud

    To highlight why NIACE has launched the campaign - A Right to a Voice - Ed Melia, NIACE Press Officer, spoke to Kaiwan Mahmud, an Adult Learners' Week winner from 2007. Kaiwan talks about his life in Iraq, his long journey to England and how he adapted to life here.

    More!