Celebrating 25 years of CLEAR
Paul Woodman, the founder of CLEAR, recalls how our story began after a team from City Life Church spent time in Thailand and encountered refugees from Myanmar:
“We saw the reality of displacement, sparking a passion for welcome that has shaped everything since,” he says. “Those early encounters led us to consider how we could step into this work back in Southampton. With a £10k grant from the council, we launched City Life Education and Action for Refugees – CLEAR – back in 2001.”
We employed our first member of staff 25 years ago this month to identify the needs of people seeking asylum in Southampton and recruit volunteers. The CLEAR Project officially launched six months later, on 8 November 2001. Ever since then, we’ve been empowering refugees and people seeking safety in Southampton to rebuild their lives.
In search of safety
Our clients and learners come to Southampton from all over the world, fleeing war and persecution. Although their countries of origin vary with geopolitical shifts, the people we support are all in search of safety – the most basic of human rights.
It’s an honour to walk alongside and learn from so many incredible people who show such resilience, enthusiasm and generosity, despite the challenges they face.
In the last 25 years, we’ve given advice to over 15,000 people, and more than 5,000 learners have attended our English classes. We’ve offered employment advice, one to one mentoring and an ESOL Helpline. And in the early days of the project, we refurbished and donated 404 bikes to refugees.
Working in partnership
We’ve also worked with partners from Southampton and beyond to offer activities and enrichment opportunities. These have included days out, football tournaments, art classes, cooking and creative writing. For the last few years, we’ve been working with the Welsh National Opera to offer singing workshops and performances.
As we celebrate our 25th birthday, it’s a privilege to lead a project that has such a rich history and to be part of that story. I’d like to thank everyone who has played a part over the years – our staff, volunteers, partners, funders and supporters. It’s also a moment to celebrate the achievements of our learners and clients, as they rebuild their lives.
The future for refugees in the UK is still as uncertain as ever. Sadly, anti-immigration sentiment, which has been a feature of our history, remains. But I’m confident that the team at CLEAR will continue to be responsive and adaptable to the needs of refugees in the region.
Together, we will continue to deliver innovative, client-focused and holistic provision for as long as we’re needed – just as we’ve done for the past 25 years.
Pete | CLEAR Project Manager
