The Hope Fund - Coventry

destitution_header_two.jpg Established in 2009 by the former Mayor of Coventry, Alderman Jack Harrison, Dr David Knibb, Chair of the Coventry Refugee Centre and the Bishop of Coventry, the Right Reverend Dr Christopher Cocksworth to assist destitute asylum seekers and migrants living in Coventry and Warwickshire and motivated by the belief that no human should have to go hungry in the 21st Century.

Helping the homeless, penniless and hungry

Every day, the fund assists homeless, penniless and hungry asylum seekers with food, shelter and practical necessities in order to help them survive. The Coventry Hope partnership is a network of support organisations for the growing number of destitute in our community, the fund provides crucial resources for these vulnerable people who have no home, money or way of supporting their day-to-day lives.

The fund helps to provide night shelter for up to 20 people at the Peace House, it provides destitute rooms at CRMC’s house, it helps give food parcels and emergency funds from the Refugee and Migrant Centre, and food and other essential items at the Carriers of Hope shop. It also helps the giving of practical and emergency assistance from CTRIC, Akimbo, Emmaus and the Coventry Friends Programme.

It is estimated that there are currently over 1,500 refused asylum seekers in Coventry who are long-term destitute, being invisible to ‘the system’ and prepared to live in poverty here rather than return to their country of origin. There are also around 150 short-term destitute at any one time in Coventry, people who have been made destitute by delays, inefficiencies and breakdowns in ‘the system’. 1 in 6 clients of the Refugee and Migrant Centre are destitute

The Hope Fund – Coventry is a lifeline

For Miss M, a woman who fled persecution in Eritrea, the fund supported her over 5 months after her application for asylum had been refused and claims for ‘section 4’ support were rejected – leaving her homeless and destitute. During this time she stayed with friends, at the Peace House night shelter and then in a destitute room at CRMC’s house when it became available.

For Miss D, a young woman who had escaped Zimbabwe with her life but had her application for asylum refused, the fund provided support and accommodation in a destitute room at CRMC’s house. It was hoped that this would only be for a short time until her application for ‘section 4’ support was approved, but Home Office delays extended her period of destitution to over three months. The Refugee and Migrant Centre helped make fresh representations and she has now received leave to remain with access to housing and benefits.

For Mr Z, a man who escaped political repression and violence in Iran, the fund supported him after multiple applications for asylum had been refused and he was street homeless. He did not apply for ‘section 4’ support as he was afraid the Home Office would move him away from Coventry, where he had built up a support network whilst recovering from mental health breakdown. For over a year he was destitute, sleeping at the Peace House night shelter, and then in a destitute room at CRMC’s house when one became available. He has now received leave to remain.

For the hundreds of people each week who come to Coventry Partnership organisations for help because they have nobody else to turn to, the fund really does provide a lifeline.

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