Sharon Soper, registered Family Therapist, facilitated an interactive exercise exploring ‘How do you prove who you are?’. Asking attendees to sit on colour coded tables at the beginning of the day ensured diversity in discussion and learning, and promoted networking. Each table was set different questions to think about in terms of how you would “prove” an aspect of your identity - such as your religious belief, cultural practice, or being subject to domestic abuse. Participants experienced how challenging a process this can be - demanding proof of something you may keep hidden or something that is an integral part of your identity, your ‘way of being’ which is often complex and deeply personal, when this is being reduced onto pieces of paper within a bureaucratic process. The aim of the exercise was to allow people to explore these issues with open minds and encouragement, increasing learning from each other. This interactive style of learning is very much part of FREDA Learning Together events.
Following on from this exercise Rosie Brennan, Associate Professor of Law at Plymouth University gave a detailed explanation of the legal context regarding proof of identity in asylum claims and the ethical challenges arising from this. Rosie is the Director of Plymouth Law School’s Law Clinic which offers free legal advice and information on specific legal areas, one of which is the Refugee Family Reunion project which runs in partnership with the British Red Cross in Plymouth.
After lunch Debbie Ley, Community Support Worker for the Intercom Trust in Plymouth, gave an overview of the work of the Trust, an LGBT community organisation providing direct support and advocacy via their helpline or Community Support Team, strategic consultancy, training and hate crime support.
Finally Tish Elliott, an Associate of Research in Practice and a social work practice educator, explored how the Human Rights Act 1998 can be applied to support LGBT+ older people and their carers. The presentation included examples from practice in promoting the self-identity of older LGBT+ adults with dementia in residential care settings.