Working Together - When it really works
‘Partnership working’ is a bit of a buzz term, especially in funding applications. We are (rightly) called to be working in partnership whilst at the same time managing the reality of (often) competing for very limited funding and also maintaining the unique ethos, approach and values of our own organisation and team.
One of the massive privileges of working in the refugee and asylum seeker sector in Bristol is that we dance that dance with aplomb! Each of the organisations within the Bristol Refugee & Asylum Seeker Partnership (BRASP) retains its unique identity whilst at the same time joining in a collective, community endeavour to support our members / service users / clients.
How does this work in practice?
Mutual funding applications
Sharing the burden of fundraising and providing services which are best tailored for those we serve
Meeting together
The various forums co-ordinated by BRASP allow for information sharing, updates in a continually changing environments, bringing together the ‘hive mind’ to problem solve shared challenges, support one another in a collective endeavour and learning from each other
And, perhaps most importantly, partnership working helps us better to support individuals.
Referral Partner: Borderlands
Borderlands run a Welcome Centre in Bristol and as a valued partner, we work closely to offer therapeutic support to refugees, CEO and team supervision, and training. This trusted collaboration strengthens frontline impact and enables coordinated, trauma-informed care. Together, we supported a client who had been experiencing significant and concerning suicidal ideation through a critical immigration hearing support which was literally life-saving for him: “If you weren’t here with me, I don’t know what would have happened.
“When I went into court I was hallucinating a little, the judge became the trafficker. In the beginning, I couldn’t concentrate, I felt terrible like I could do something out of control. Then I remember to do deep breathing, looking around at my surroundings, remembering where I was in court. I remembered what you said not to listen to the voices, don’t give them your attention . It helped me to think back to what you said. Not to listen to the voices and gradually because you were there I was able to calm down.”
Refugee Client referred by Borderlands
“Trauma Foundation South West plays a vital role by providing regular individual and group supervision to help our staff navigate the emotional complexities of trauma with resilience and insight. The tailored support for staff in leadership roles, offers both practical and emotional help and the training empowers our volunteers and staff team to respond with empathy and confidence. Most importantly, their therapeutic support for our members and service users ensures that those who’ve experienced deep hardship and mental health struggles are met with healing, hope and humanity.” - Olivia Lamont Bishop, Mentoring Manager, Borderlands
Dr Katherine Cox