On 21st March, Bonny Downs Community Association launched the premiere of a short film showcasing local women’s hardship in living with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).

The event was co-hosted by Sir Stephen Timms MP, Dr Sally Mann, researcher at the University of Greenwich and Nora Nyugab Linwe, one of the film participants.

The film ‘No Recourse’ is a result of Dr Sally Mann inviting women attending Bonny Downs Family Hub to share their stories. The Family Hub project supports families living with NRPF by providing advice, children’s clothing, food and baby milk and other support. The women meet weekly to share their experience whilst cooking and eating favourite meals together and organising events to celebrate their cultural heritages.

The film features many harrowing stories, including that of Loritha who was moved through 14 hotels within the space of 7 months without access to kitchen facilities.

It is estimated that currently 1.7 million people find themselves with permission to remain in the UK but unable to access any welfare benefits. Though this status is meant to be temporary, the women in the film have held the status from 5 to 16 years.

“The Work and Pensions Select Committee, which I chair, has made two reasonable requests to the Government,” said Sir Stephen Timms MP. “One, that no family should be in NRPF for more than 5 years.  And, two, where the children are British Citizens, the family should be entitled to Child Benefit.  The Government has not accepted these. So, services like Family Hub are a vital support system for these families. On my behalf and on behalf of the community, I would like to say thank you to Bonny Downs.”

The event was attended by Family Hub participants, the project’s funder Cadent, local councillors Sarah Ruiz, Susan Masters, Neil Watson and Sabia Kamili, and several community organisations including Alternatives Trust, Community Albums, Community Links, Newham ACT Committee, MAUK, NewWay, Seedbeds, URC Thames North Trust and Welcome Newham.

The film is available in two parts on the BDCA YouTube channel.

If you, or a family you know in Newham, would benefit from BDCA’s support services, see our Children & Families section or Community Support page.

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