Escape to Safety’ is an interactive, multi-media walk-through exhibition (designed by Global Link in Lancaster) where you put yourself in asylum-seekers’ shoes and listen to and experience refugees’ stories as you navigate through the exhibit and complete activities associated with it.
Category: PERN News
Housing and Homelessness
As many of you will know from media reports, an increasing number of new refugees are facing homelessness and destitution. This is because of recent government policy changes, which mean that new refugees (people who have been granted the right to live in the UK) are now given just seven days’ notice to leave their accommodation. This makes it virtually impossible for them to find a place to live or to access housing or financial support.
Operations Coordinator
Can you use your skills to advance justice and kindness? Penrith and Eden Refugee Network (PERN) are seeking a dedicated Operations Coordinator to support the development of new services for asylum seekers and new refugees in Carlisle and the surrounding areas. Our freelance Operations Coordinator will work flexibly for 9 hours a week, overseeing the day… Continue reading Operations Coordinator
Art Exhibition @ Gallery 4a
We are thrilled that EVAN Gallery 4a in Penrith is hosting our exhibition of artwork made by local refugees, asylum seekers and minoritized artists in October. The exhibition will run for ten days, beginning on Saturday 14th October and promises to be a wonderful showcase celebrating diversity. The artists come from different heritages, ethnicities and… Continue reading Art Exhibition @ Gallery 4a
OISC2 Regulated!
PERN is proud to announce that we are now an OISC2 regulated body for asylum and protection. It’s a big step on a long journey to ensure that all people seeking asylum living in Cumbria get the legal support they need and are entitled to in order to make their best asylum case possible. Congratulations… Continue reading OISC2 Regulated!
Art and Well-being
In 2023 PERN was awarded some funding from the Eden Arts and Culture Development Fund to deliver an exciting programme of art activities alongside BlueJam Arts. This is a Penrith Welcomes Diversity project. Our first two sessions explored capturing landscapes using watercolours. The group was led by Alex Jakob-Whitworth, and was hosted at BlueJam Arts Space… Continue reading Art and Well-being
Rent a Room – Finding Homes for New Refugees
PERN volunteers sometimes have the privilege of sharing very special moments when people seeking asylum are granted refugee status. The joy and relief for someone to know they have a safe country to live in and can begin to make a new life is beyond measure. However, alongside this, for a new refugee, comes the… Continue reading Rent a Room – Finding Homes for New Refugees
Refugee Week Launch
We held our local launch of Refugee Week on Saturday 17 June in Penrith town centre to show the community’s welcome for refugees and asylum seekers. Many thanks to all the PERN members and supporters who came along, and special thanks to the refugees and asylum seekers who attended and spoke at the event. … Continue reading Refugee Week Launch
Wanted: Volunteers to help teach English
We’re looking for a couple more people to teach English to asylum seekers in Carlisle. If you have some teaching experience this could be a great volunteering opportunity for you or do nudge any friends and family and pass on the advert. We run several classes a week and give training and support. Please contact hello@pern.org.uk for more… Continue reading Wanted: Volunteers to help teach English
Refugee Week Event @ PERN
We invite you to Penrith Town Centre on Saturday 17th June 2023 between 10.30am-3.30pm. You can drop by any time, but please remember speeches and photo call are at 12pm. Bring your own banner or hold a PERN banner. Suggested words “Refugees Welcome”, “No human is illegal”, “Compassion into Action”, and “Hospitality not Hostility”.