The Asylum Seeker Project

The asylum seekers moving to and currently living in Nottinghamshire can generally be said to have experienced multiple hardships, deprivation and enforced relocation from their homeland. They may also be discriminated against in a number of ways as they attempt to settle locally. These are factors that are generally recognised as precursors to a problematic drinking occasion or longer-term behaviour pattern.

The asylum seekers may come from a culture that is regarded as abstinent, for example a predominantly Muslim culture. However, this is often far from the reality. Many asylum seekers originate from a culture that is relatively permissive of alcohol consumption compared to the UK, where extreme intoxication is common, and where access to support and other measures designed to discourage and regulate excessive consumption is practically non-existent.

As a leading organisation working to reduce alcohol problems throughout the County, apas is undertook the task, with the support of Nottinghamshire County Council, of working to develop a service provision that was appropriate to the needs of asylum seekers by including the asylum seeking community in the process that shapes the service provision.

In the first instance, apas gathered evidence of the level of need and the nature of such need within the County by developing partnerships with both statutory and non-statutory bodies. From these findings, apas developed material in languages spoken by the asylum seekers making this material available to all County based organisations. After disseminating information about acceptable alcohol use, and services available to assist throughout the asylum seeking communities within the County, a report on the findings was produced and apas facilitated a conference on 24^th October 2002 to debate the issues arising.  

For more information or the full report please Contact apas for more support & information on seeking asylum and immigration please visit All Of Immigration website