Are Refugees and Asylum Seekers’ Allowed to Work in the UK?
Reading Time: 3 minutes by Katy Cottrell, Sona Circle The terms ‘refugee’ and ‘asylum seeker’ are often confused by many people and have incorrectly been used interchangeably. Though to many people, these terms may seem like they mean the same thing, there are important distinctions between refugees and asylum seekers which have implications for their legal right […]
Six Apps that Support Refugees in the UK
Reading Time: 2 minutes by Zoe Allen, Sona Circle In the technological age, mobile apps have become an adaptable and efficient way to share information, create communities and connections, and support refugees. We’ve put together a list of six great apps that support refugees, both directly and indirectly, in the UK. Most of these apps can also […]
The Story of Tendol Gyalzur, the ‘Mother of Tibet’
Reading Time: 3 minutes by Aanya Bhandari, Sona Circle Orphaned at the age of eight, during the failed 1959 Tibetan uprising, Tendol fled to India then immigrated to Germany where she became a nurse, and later helped the Chinese government to aid needy children in her homeland. Tendol Gyalzur was born in Shigatse, located within the historical […]
Global Connectivity and Today’s Refugees
Reading Time: 3 minutes by Katy Cottrell, Sona Circle In the past, refugees have often been perceived as isolated individuals, struggling to become fully integrated and to understand the culture of their host country. Although refugees still face various barriers to integration, globalisation and developments in technology have given refugees more agency to integrate themselves into new […]
Refugees in Entertainment
Reading Time: 3 minutes Katie McAdam, Sona Circle In 1969 Farrokh Bulsara fled Zanzibar, (modern-day Tanzania) due to the ensuing genocide of Arab and South Asian minorities. With a great songwriting talent and an impressive vocal range, he dreamed of stardom. After joining the band Queen, he changed his name and then changed the history of rock […]
Refugees & COVID-19: Why the Ability to Self-Isolate is a Luxury
Reading Time: 2 minutes By Aanya Bhandari, Sona Circle In an appallingly short span of time, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a calamitous global effect, touching nearly every country and territory. As is the case with any catastrophic event, certain groups are left more vulnerable than others. One such group in this instance is refugees. Refugees face […]
7 Tips to Creating Refugee-Friendly Recruitment Practises
Reading Time: 3 minutes By Zoe Allen, Sona Circle A diverse and inclusive workplace is an asset to any business. If you have read our previous blog post on the key benefits of hiring refugees, and are now ready to integrate refugees into your workplace, congratulations on making a great business (and humanitarian) decision! Here are our […]
6 Ways to Convince your Employer to Hire Refugees
Reading Time: 2 minutes By Katy Cottrell, Sona Circle If you feel passionately about workplace equality and the social integration of refugees, addressing a lack of diversity in your own workspace is a great place to start. But having these types of conversations with your employers can be difficult, which is why we have created a list […]
5 Key Benefits to Hiring Refugees
Reading Time: 3 minutes By Zoe Allen, Sona Circle Hiring refugees in your small business or start-up has a whole host of benefits that simply don’t get enough attention. Without a wide range of skills and talent, a business runs the risk of stagnating. Hiring refugee interns to access a highly motivated and diverse talent pipeline is […]
Race Discrimination in the Workplace
Reading Time: 3 minutes By Katy Cottrell, Sona Circle Why NOW is the time to act Last week George Floyd became another victim of police brutality towards unarmed black people, when he was killed at the scene of his arrest for an alleged forged cheque. This violent and tragic event has understandably caused widespread heartbreak and anger, and […]