Forced migrants in the UK often struggle to feed themselves and end up relying on charities or working illegally. Not enough is known about their experiences and we are working with Nifty Fox (https://www.niftyfoxcreative.com/) to create an infographic about migrant food poverty, drawing together insights from published and ongoing research as well as media and grey literature reports.
Background
Migration from low-income to high-income countries can be motivated by a lack of local, decently paid employment opportunities, political instability, and the demand for cheap labour. However, migration is not always a choice. Due to a combination of wars, political unrest, geopolitical crises, and climate change-related natural disasters, there are now more forced migrants than ever before. Forced migrants in the UK, especially those with ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ (NRPF), often struggle to feed themselves and end up relying on charities or working illegally. Not enough is known about their experiences or the support they need.
Project Aims
To create an accessible resource that communicates the sometimes complex challenges migrants face around food and the food system.
Project Activity
We are writing a review of the drivers of food poverty for forced migrants in the UK, looking at cross-cutting challenges as well as those specific to rural and urban contexts.
Alongside this, we are working with Nifty Fox to create an infographic about migrant food poverty, drawing together insights from published and ongoing research as well as media and grey literature reports. The infographic will be an accessible way of sharing research findings and campaigning priorities with advocacy groups, policymakers, and charities, and can be shared with the public on social media.
Anticipated or actual outputs
Outputs: peer reviewed paper and an infographic.
Anticipated impact is to produce a resource that can convey the complexities of migrant food poverty and the structural barriers migrant face in an engaging and interactive way.
Who is involved?
Claire Thompson (PI, corresponding)- University of Hertfordshire
Lauran Hamilton- University of Hertfordshire
Angela Dickinson- University of Hertfordshire
Rebecca O'Connell- University of Hertfordshire
Jess Brock (City St George's, University of London)
