I Feel Home SICAP 2020 Case Study WLD

SICAP - the Transformative Power of Deep Value Relationships
This video showcases the different elements of the relational approach we take through the Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and how it has evolved in our work with people seeking international protection in Co. Wexford.

Wexford Local Development’s SICAP team first engaged with people seeking international protection at the opening of the emergency accommodation centre in Courtown in May 2019. There are currently (October 2020) 30 adults and 20 children in this location. Another group of people seeking protection were placed in emergency accommodation in Hotel Rosslare in May 2019. On the 16th of March 2020, right at the beginning of the pandemic, an accommodation centre was opened in Rosslare Harbour. Close to 100 men, women and children from 29 different countries now call this centre home.
This case study has endeavoured to tell the story of how our SICAP team engaged with this group and to give a sense of the quality and depth of the relationships which were developed and which now underpin a web of connections which in turn creates the conditions for personal development, mutual support and learning, awareness, integration and even, despite what might be expected, some joy.

This video case study focuses on how we in SICAP engage with people seeking international protection however it is set against the backdrop of how we engage across target groups and communities in general under SICAP – focusing on relationships, being flexible, believing in potential and building on the strengths we know that each person and each community possesses, whether or not they are labelled as ‘disadvantaged’ or ‘deprived’, to work towards a better future.

The words that best sum up the outcome that we are aiming for are those spoken by Robert and echoed by Mariam, Kais and Joy: “I feel home”.