Brushstrokes: Early Action for Hotel Residents

Brushstrokes, in collaboration with St Chad’s Sanctuary, has leveraged EAR funding to establish an Inclusion Health Worker role, catering to the unique needs of asylum seekers residing in contingency hotels in Birmingham. This initiative has not only improved access to advice and health information but has also fostered partnerships, streamlined resources, and addressed challenges faced by single male residents. Collaboration among ecosystem partners and dedicated local coordinators are  recommended to enhance support for long- term hotel residents.  

Activity Delivered

Over the past six months, Brushstrokes has expanded its partnership with St Chad’s Sanctuary in Birmingham, focusing on delivering advice to refugees and asylum seekers at the Sanctuary. Previously, St Chad’s Sanctuary primarily provided resources, ESOL classes, and social activities but lacked advice and health information services. Through additional funding, Brushstrokes initiated a weekly asylum, immigration, and health clinic, resulting in increased attendance by asylum seekers residing in contingency hotels in Birmingham.

Changes Implemented

The EAR funding enabled the creation of an Inclusion Health Worker role at St Chad’s Sanctuary. Ewa Pliszczak, previously a volunteer, assumed this role, with an induction that included shadowing and working alongside Brushstrokes’ early action asylum team. Ewa’s outreach efforts focus on engaging hotel residents, building relationships, offering guidance, and facilitating access to local activities and support agencies. Additionally, Brushstrokes provides asylum and immigration advice clinics in partnership with Ewa’s health inequalities promotion work.  

Enhancements Through EAR Partnership

Collaboration between Brushstrokes and St Chad’s Sanctuary has allowed both organisations to adopt new and collaborative approaches. Ewa’s role includes creating information packs for hotel residents, collating specific information based on their needs, and establishing referral pathways to local resources and services. This collaborative effort has expanded the local ecosystem, benefiting both organisations and the communities they serve.

Challenges Faced and Solutions

• Engaging hotel residents: Consistency and publicising outreach visits helped increase attendance over time.
• Managing behaviours: Recruiting male volunteers and implementing numbered systems for certain requests helped manage crowds.
• Managing expectations: Clear guidelines on the services provided helped set expectations.
• Building relationships with Serco/hotel staff: Improving communication pathways and explaining the role of the Inclusion Health and Advice team are ongoing efforts.

Recommendations

Collaboration among ecosystem partners is crucial for effective support. A local coordinator who interacts with hotel residents and shares information about available resources is recommended. Additionally, single male residents should not be overlooked, as their well-being is equally important, and neglect may lead to mental health problems and exploitation.