Below is the information of organisations working in the area of Refugees and Asylum Seekers:
The Bike Project, National
The Bike Project takes second-hand bikes, fixes them up and donates them to refugees and those seeking asylum in London and Birmingham. The organisation is based on the premise that the UK is expensive, especially when you’re trying to navigate the complex asylum process on just £39.63 a week. At The Bike Project they believe that no one should have to choose between eating a square meal and catching the bus. That’s why they do bikes. There are several ways you can support the Bike Project, from organising a community bike collection, to helping fix up old bike, donating your pre-loved wheels, or simply by fundraising or attending an event. They also offer the chance for you to share your skills with refugees via free virtual lessons. To find out more, visit their website.
Justice and Peace Refugee Project, Newcastle
The Justice and Peace Refugee Project offers a warm welcome and provides basic support for those seeking asylum and refuge within their local Newcastle community. The organisation runs a drop in centre on Wednesdays and Fridays between 11.00am and 2.00pm, during which time they give out food, toiletries, clothing and footwear. To find out more, visit their website.
South Yorkshire Refugee Law and Justice, Sheffield
South Yorkshire Refugee Law and Justice is a charity based in Sheffield that provides a free service to those seeking asylum who require support with their asylum claims but are unable to get a solicitor. As part of this service, the organisation provides legal advice regarding asylum claims, assists with researching the country a person has fled from in order to explain and evidence why they cannot return, and helps acquire evidence that service users may need to support their new asylum claims. Volunteers with South Yorkshire Refugee Law and Justice can be involved in a number of roles including admin, fundraising and legal case work. They also work with universities to provide placements for law students. To find out more, visit their website.
South Yorkshire Migration and Asylum Action Group, Sheffield
SYMAAG is a campaign group made up of volunteers from all over the world. They campaign across South Yorkshire on issues related to migrant and asylum rights. This has included campaigns on issues such as: asylum tenants’ rights; against immigration detention centres; the right to work for those seeking asylum; for migrants and those seeking asylum to have equal access to health care and education; and against the deportation and abuse of those seeking asylum. As an organisation SYMAAG also actively seek to educate themselves about asylum and migrants rights, about people’s countries of origin, and why some people are forced to flee them, along with working with MPs and Councillors to ensure they honour commitments they have made with regards to migrant and asylum rights. SYMAAG are always open to new members joining and those who share their aims and values are welcome to come to one of their fortnightly meetings (held on Zoom) to find out more about the latest work SYMAAG are carrying out. To find out more, visit their website.
ASSIST, Sheffield
ASSIST support those who have had their asylum claim rejected and have become destitute by providing them with access to accommodation and a small weekly welfare payment if they have no other source of income. ASSIST run a weekly Help Desk through which they make referrals to their emergency accommodation, issue emergency payments and food vouchers, and direct clients to food banks, clothing banks and sources of medical help. They likewise signpost to places where those who are seeking asylum can spend their time, meet other people, learn English and more. The aim is to work with those seeking asylum or challenging their asylum decision, so that they can become part of the Sheffield community, overcome isolation and improve their situation and well-being. ASSIST also provide longer term assistance by working with clients to pursue their asylum claim through the organisation’s support service. Aside from this, ASSIST work to promote the voices and needs of those seeking asylum, both through campaigns and by running events; giving talks; running stalls at local fairs and festivals; and working in partnership with other local organisations. ASSIST have a number of volunteer opportunities, both working directly with those seeking asylum (such as accompanying them to their appointments with the Home Office) or by offering more behind the scenes support (such as helping with the admin or finance). ASSIST are likewise looking for people who can support their campaign work and are keen for people to help push their campaigns through their community groups, voluntary organisations, charities, trade unions, activist groups, faith communities, student societies, and sports clubs. To find out more, visit their website.
Open Door North East, Tees Valley
Open Door North East (ODNE) is an award winning charity working with refugees and those seeking asylum in the Tees Valley. ODNE’s ambition is to alleviate and eliminate the devastating and complex effects of destitution and homelessness experienced by those seeking asylum, refugees and other migrants in the Tees Valley. Their vision statement is ‘Hope, Justice, Mercy and Dignity for those seeking sanctuary’. The values they seek to exhibit are hospitality, compassion, working together, dignity, excellence and inclusivity as they focus on a mission, ‘supporting those seeking sanctuary to move out of poverty and destitution and be empowered to achieve their full potential’. ODNE would not be able to function in the way that it does without the incredible input of so many volunteers and there are a number of ways in which you can volunteer with ODNE. To find out more, visit their website.
Safety4Sisters, Manchester
Safety4Sisters is a Manchester-based organisation that addresses the exclusion of migrant women (particularly those with 'no recourse to public funds') from the most basic rights of safety and protection. They do so through policy work and by creating spaces for sisterhood in which the individual stories of migrant women, and their experiences of disempowerment and struggle for survival, are transformed into collective stories and collective action. To find out more, visit their website.
St Chad's Sanctuary, Birmingham
St Chad’s Sanctuary is a place of welcome for those seeking asylum and refugees in the heart of Birmingham. They make people welcome through the provision of practical support, English classes, and welfare support. Volunteers are the life blood of St Chad's Sanctuary and they couldn't function without them! They are always happy to have people come and join their busy team. There are a variety of roles available from welcoming service users at the door to sorting donated clothing, from teaching English classes to fundraising, from IT support to delivering food parcels. If you are a hardworking, problem solving team player who wants to have the rewards of serving the community, then St Chad’s Sanctuary would love to hear from you. To find out more, visit their website.
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