New exhibition reveals barriers migrants face with access to services

A new exhibition in Islington highlights a project aimed at helping migrants access vital services for their health and wellbeing

‘Crossroads. Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seeker Health’ is being held at the Islington Museum in St John Street, Clerkenwell. This exhibition is part of MigRefHealth, co-led by Middlesex University academics, which is running between 2024-2027 across 12 sites in the east of England and London, including Barnet, Greenwich, Islington and Lewisham boroughs.

The project has led to detailed maps for the 12 areas - available on the MigRef Health website – which identify key places, networks and services for migrants including food, housing, education and healthcare services which will improve their health and wellbeing. The research efforts, which have included walking interviews, forums and creative workshops with migrant groups, are on display at Islington Museum until December 21.

The displays include mini magazines and Lego models created by migrants about their experiences as well an audio section where you can listen to songs including one called ‘Feeling Loved’ created by migrants living in Barnet - with a verse shown below. 

 

Stepping out from isolation

Walking through the loneliness

Trying to relieve the pressure

Accepting forgiveness and seeking happiness

In the distance I can see the light

Peace and love inside 

I have faced the fear and now the path is clear 

Feeling Loved

A number of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers were trained as ‘community researchers’ in the 12 areas including Alaa Alibrahim, a Migrant Health and Wellbeing Navigator at New Citizens’ Gateway. In 2013, Alaa fled war-torn Syria as a refugee and arrived in the UK via Jordan through the Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement scheme.

He said: “As my English language skills were limited when I arrived, I enrolled in English courses at college to improve my communication skills and support my integration into life in the UK. The biggest challenge I faced after arriving in the UK was being diagnosed with bowel cancer. I underwent complex surgery to remove multiple tumours, followed by a course of chemotherapy.  This was an extremely difficult period in my life, both physically and emotionally.”

Alaa enrolled at Middlesex University and gained a BA in Film and a MSc in Scriptwriting. He said: “Studying a subject that I was passionate about gave me purpose, helped me focus on something positive, and allowed me to divert my attention from constantly thinking about my illness. The support I received through education played a significant role in my recovery and wellbeing.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed being involved with the MigRefHealth project. It has been a valuable and rewarding experience that allowed me to contribute to research that is relevant to migrant and refugee communities.

“I believe that refugees would greatly benefit from a comprehensive advice service upon arrival in the UK, providing guidance on navigating key systems such as education, healthcare, housing, and benefits.”

MigRef Health was a Mobilising Community Assets project led by researchers from Middlesex University, the University of Greenwich and Angela Rudskin University.

Alaa is one of the community researchers that Erminia Colucci, a Professor in Visual Psychology and Cultural and Global Mental Health at Middlesex University, trained together with ex-Middlesex colleague Professor Elena Vacchelli.

As part of Being Human Festival, Professor Colucci has also co-organised walking tours of the exhibition on the 5th and 10th of November (at 11am and 3pm) led by the community/peer-researchers. Professor Colucci said: “It is so valuable to include people with lived and living experiences throughout a project, including the way creative research outputs are presented and narrated.”

Dr Lazzarino, a Research Fellow in Migration and Health at Middlesex who co-organised the walking tours, said: “Increasing austerity measures, anti-immigration policies and cuts to NHS funding keep widening the health inequalities affecting migrants in the UK. This project has the very relevant aim of mapping and strengthening community-based support for migrants in relation to housing, food, and access to services - which are fundamental for health.”

The exhibition at Islington Museum includes an event on December 10th co-hosted by Middlesex Professor Eleonore Kofman.

For more information visit the MigRef Health website.