{"id":279112,"date":"2022-03-11T07:17:36","date_gmt":"2022-03-11T07:17:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bhump.org.uk\/?page_id=279112"},"modified":"2022-03-20T12:29:25","modified_gmt":"2022-03-20T12:29:25","slug":"guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bhump.org.uk\/nn\/guide\/","title":{"rendered":"BHUMP Guide to Life in the UK – Online Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"
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WELCOME TO THE BHUMPERS GUIDE<\/span><\/p>\n

TO LIFE IN THE<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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HILLINGDON \u2022 LONDON<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSupporting and empowering young people\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

www.bhump.org.uk<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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<\/a>Table of contents<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Why This Booklet?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

What is in this Booklet?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

HRSG<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

What does HRSG offer?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

BHUMP Helping Hands (BHH)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Asylum Seeker or Refugee?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

London Weather<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Your Keyworker & Social Worker<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Your rights as an unaccompanied minor<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

What about Education?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

How can you Access Healthcare Services?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

How to travel around<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Tips on Personal Safety<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Keeping Personal Details Safe<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Tips for staying safe online<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Tips to protect your phone<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

LGBT Young People<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Bullying<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Getting Help For Bullying<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Coping With Stress<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Loneliness and Isolation<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

British Etiquette Do\u2019s<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

British Etiquette Dont\u2019s<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Common UK Expressions & Slang<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Common English Phrases<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Notable UK Dates<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Tips for Integrating<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

English Money<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Shopping<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Tips on Shopping…<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Discount Shops<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Traditional Food<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Entertainment \/ Leisure<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Sports<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Places of Worship<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Translation<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

General<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Tips to Achieve your goals<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Messages of Encouragement<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

About this Booklet<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Copyright \u00a9 2022 HRSG All rights reserved.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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<\/a>Why This Booklet?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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<\/a>We are the authors of this booklet: young people who have come to England as unaccompanied asylum seekers a few years or a few months ago. Although most of us are now settled, we remember the beginning of our lives in England and all the difficulties we faced. We are writing this booklet to provide important information to young people who newly arrive in London seeking asylum. This booklet is our way of giving something back, and ensuring that newly arrived young people feel guided, supported and not alone in the local community.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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<\/a>What is in this Booklet?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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<\/a>The information is based on our daily experiences in the London Borough of Hillingdon as we try to integrate into the host communities. It is said experience is the best teacher, therefore, we believe our different experiences may be of value to you. This booklet is meant to guide you with information you are most likely to need at the start of life in <\/span>England. It is the kind of information we wish had been available when we first arrived here. We hope that you find this guide useful.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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<\/a>HRSG<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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HRSG is a charity that supports unaccompanied young asylum seekers and refugees in Hillingdon from all backgrounds and religions. HRSG is an Acronym. That is, each letter stands for a word!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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<\/a>Hope. Dignity. Empowerment.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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<\/a>Hope, Dignity and Empowerment are at the heart of what HRSG stands for and is integral to creating a safe and comfortable environment for refugees and asylum seekers to explore their options and work towards positive futures. The majority of these young people have experienced trauma and persecution and it is our aim to support them through this most difficult period of their young lives.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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<\/a>Hope. Dignity. Empowerment.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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<\/a>Visit<\/span> <\/span>www.hrsg.org.uk<\/span> <\/span><\/a>for more information<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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We arrived alone to the UK, had experienced conflict and suffered a lot of stress and trauma and fled countries where wars have taken place. On arrival here we have faced so many different problems like immigration, loneliness, missing family, language, lack of support, sadness, depression. HRSG tries to support us in many ways and address issues we face.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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<\/a>What does HRSG offer?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Emergency bags <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Including items of warm clothing and toiletries. Most of us arrived in the UK with nothing and found these essential items very helpful.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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ESOL, Maths and Life skills <\/span><\/p>\n

Every Monday \u2013 Friday. both face to face and via zoom. We have benefited from these classes a lot because they have helped us improve our English and maths preparing us to pass our college exams and teaching us how to settle in the UK. You can also get more support from the ESOL, Maths and Life skills courses on the BHUMP website <\/span>www.bhump.org.uk<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Daily support <\/span><\/p>\n

Daily support by appointment at Key House. Homework, CV writing, emotional support, form filling, interview and research skills, volunteering, letter and report writing, confidence, self-esteem building. Talk to BHUMP Staff. They are here to support you.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Recreational activities during the summer <\/span><\/p>\n

i.e. football, group, and community activities. Meet with other young people from the local community, make friends, and get involved in different activities. Also, get help and support with homework or any other issues.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Volunteering Opportunities <\/span><\/p>\n

Volunteering is a great way to engage your free time and get involved in the life of the community. There are plenty of<\/span><\/p>\n

volunteer opportunities. Ask a BHUMP staff member for details<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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<\/a>BHUMP Helping Hands (BHH)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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BHUMP HELPING HANDS BHH: Pioneered by past BHUMPERS: Alan, Khalid, Ellena and Mamady. A great example of a young person led project. We are a group of young people who attend BHUMP working with staff to plan activities and sessions for other young people. You are welcome to come and join us and get involved with great ideas and help planning project activities. Have your voice heard. Meet and get involved in activities and volunteer with other young people from the community. Speak to a BHUMP staff member to get involved.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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<\/a>EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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<\/a>Asylum Seeker or Refugee?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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CLAIMING ASYLUM = ASKING FOR PROTECTION<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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While the Home Office deals with your asylum claim, you are considered to be an ASYLUM SEEKER and issued with an Application Registration Card (ARC).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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You can use this card as ID to register at college and other services. But you cannot use it to find work! The card clearly states that employment is prohibited while you seek asylum.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you did not get issued with this card at the airport, your Social Worker or Keyworker can make you an appointment at the Home Office in Croydon so, you can be issued with one.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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REFUGEE = PROTECTION HAS BEEN GRANTED<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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You are recognised as a REFUGEE and are no longer an asylum-seeker if the Home Office makes a positive decision to your asylum claim. In this case you get issued with 5 years leave to remain and after these 5 years, you can apply to settle in the UK. If you receive A negative decision from the Home Office, your solicitor can assist you to appeal. You\u2019re Social Worker or Keyworker will assist you in finding a solicitor who can support you with your asylum claim. The solicitor will see you for free because you are a minor.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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<\/a>London Weather<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Winter<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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December – February: <\/span>Winter can be very cold and grey. It can be difficult to adjust to this if you come from a sunny and warm country. You will need to wear warm clothes. In winter the days are very short and it can get dark from 4.00pm.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Spring<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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March – May: <\/span>By early March there will be buds on trees. The days start to get longer and there is more sunshine. By May, the temperatures can get close to 20\u00b0C.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Summer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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June – August:<\/span> <\/span>Very long days and more sunshine. Average temperature: 24\u00b0C, and with 7 plus hours of sunshine per day. London can feel very warm on sunny summer days. But not all summer days are sunny, so enjoy the sun while it lasts!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Autumn<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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September – November:<\/span> <\/span>September can be a very pleasant month, with average maximum temperatures still 20\u00b0C, but nights can be cold. The leaves start to change colour and fall. The days start to get shorter and colder, leading to winter.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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It is very important for you to learn to budget any money you have and save it for warm clothes, like gloves, scarf, hat, and a warm coat to wear during the cold winter months.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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<\/a>Your Keyworker & Social Worker<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Your Keyworker<\/span> <\/span>can support you with the following:<\/span><\/p>\n