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Refugee Workers Cultural Association – Voice for All  

By GLA Democratic Participation Grants Team | 24th September 2024
A woman with a microphone speaking to a group of people raising awareness of Voter ID.

Refugee Workers Cultural Association (RWCA) delivered an in-person awareness-raising project, primarily engaging with Turkish and Kurdish communities in Haringey. At these in-person events, RWCA shared information regarding the voting-system changes, and provided direct assistance in registering to vote and applying for accepted forms of photo ID. It also shared GLA assets on social media platforms, including those translated in Turkish.  

They organised seven in-person events attended by 225 people, and 2 online events attended by 45 people. There were 3,700 views of the information videos they produced. 

  • 80 percent of participants, engaged via in-person or online events, had an increased awareness of the Voter ID requirement as a result of this project, compared with their previous knowledge 
  • 70 percent of participants reported an increased sense of belonging to London 
  • 80 percent of respondents reported an increased understanding of the democratic system as a result of this project/ activity 

Before attending one of these sessions, Participant A, a Kurdish Turkish immigrant residing in London, had limited knowledge of the UK electoral system and felt disconnected from the democratic process. Through the project’s outreach efforts and educational sessions, Participant A gained a deeper understanding of voter registration procedures and the importance of civic engagement. Empowered by this newfound knowledge, Participant A registered to vote for the first time and actively participated in local community events. They shared: “I never thought my voice mattered in this country, but now I realise that every vote counts. Thanks to this project, I feel like a valued member of my community and a responsible citizen.”  

Further testimonies from their project participants:  

“Attending the project’s workshops helped me understand the importance of diversity and representation in politics. I now feel motivated to advocate for my community’s interests and make our voices heard.”  

“As an immigrant, I always felt like an outsider in the UK. But through this project, I’ve connected with others who share similar experiences, and together, we’re making a difference in our local community.”  

“I used to think politics was too complicated and didn’t affect me. But after participating in this project, I realised that politics influences every aspect of our lives, and it’s crucial to be informed and engaged.”