Conversation Class and ESOL resource "Let's talk about parks"
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Refugees and asylum seekers often come from countries where urban parks are uncommon, or look or are used very differently to parks in northern Europe. Many will be unaware of the wide range of public outdoor spaces in countries such as Britain, where a short walk may take you through heritage parks, sports pitches, cemeteries, city farms, nature reserves, river and canal banks. Organisations that support refugees and asylum seekers understandably focus their limited time on the pressing issues of housing, health, legal advice and so on, and they rarely think about talking about parks as places to spend time and feel better.
We wanted to find a way to make it easy for refugee support organisations to talk to their clients about parks, and the “Let’s Talk About Parks” conversation pack of 40 A5 cards is our solution. Using photos of different aspects of parks and park life, along with simple questions and activities, it is designed to prompt easy chats that provide key information, and hopefully start ideas of where to go locally. Designed and tested with both ESOL classes and more informal conversation clubs, these cards provide facilitators with a highly visual language learning resource whilst also sparking great discussions about the range of activities and facilities in local parks. They are available as a digital download here or contact us to be sent a physical copy. |
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Report on the Berlin based research
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Auf der Basis der Interviews des Projektes #refugeeswelcomeinparks mit Geflüchteten und organisationellen Stakeholdern in Berlin untersucht das Working Paper "Zwischen Anpassung und Aneignung - (Un-)Sichtbarkeit geflüchteter Menschen in öffentlichen Räumen und Parks in Berlin" welche Bedeutung öffentliche Räume und Parks für geflüchtete Menschen in Berlin haben und wie deren Potential für die gesellschaftliche Teilhabe besser genutzt werden kann.
On the basis of the interviews with refugees and organisational stakeholders in Berlin conducted as part of the #refugeeswelcomeinparks project, this working paper describes the particular situation in Berlin and explores the importance of public spaces and parks for refugees in Berlin and how their potential for supporting societal participation can be better activated. Download here: T. Stapf und W. Siegert, Zwischen Anpassung und Aneignung - (Un-)Sichtbarkeit geflüchteter Menschen in öffentlichen Räumen und Parks in Berlin, 2017, Berlin: Minor - Projektkontor für Bildung und Forschung |
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See also... our resource book and our brilliant ideas posters.
How spending time in city parks helps asylum seekers to feel at home
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“Plants, agriculture and food have migrated just like everyone else”: the importance of green space in the resettlement of refugees and asylum seekers
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Across Europe, unprecedented numbers of asylum seekers are currently waiting for a decision on their refugee status. Unable to legally work or study, and with very limited funds, many of them feel as though they’re in a state of limbo; like their lives have been put on hold. [read more]
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The link between green space and the resettlement of refugees and asylum seekers seems quite abstract, even tenuous. However, as Hannah from Stepney City Farm explains “plants, agriculture and food have migrated just like everyone else”, so perhaps there is more to this than meets the eye... [read more]
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