Coronavirus Asylum Handbook
Refugee Action has published a useful new handbook with information and advice on how charities working with asylum seekers and refugees are addressing challenges around Covid-19.
Showing 202 resources related to refugee, asylum & migration. Click here to see resources across all topics.
The Coronavirus pandemic is worsening circumstances for the world's refugee population as well as internally displaced people.
Travel bans, closed borders and living conditions in camps all amplify the risks to migrants, and lead even more uncertainties with regards to visas and support services that can be accessed.
In this section, we signpost you to organisations working on migration, refugee and asylum services in the UK that provide emergency services, legal guidance and employability support.
Refugee Action has published a useful new handbook with information and advice on how charities working with asylum seekers and refugees are addressing challenges around Covid-19.
Free Movement provides updates, commentary, training and advice on immigration and asylum law.
This post by Free Movement gathers together various updates on changes to immigration law and practice caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Migrant Help is a charity supporting asylum seekers, refugees and victims of human trafficking and modern slavery.
Free asylum helpline: 0808 8010 503
Coronaivrus support page providing translated support.
The Refugee Councils works directly with thousands of refugees each year. They support them from the moment they arrive in the UK with crisis advice, practical support & mental health counselling.
They are continuing to support refugees during the spread of Covid-19 by adapting services for phone and online.
Refugee Action has moved to respond to the potentially enormous effects that the coronavirus will have. The wellbeing of refugees, people seeking asylum, our staff and volunteers is their number one consideration. They have been preparing for the practicalities of social distancing and restricted travel.
The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are.
They also help with urgent needs of refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants. The help they can offer will depend on where you are.
Refugee Support Network helps refugee and asylum-seeking children and young people to build more hopeful futures through education.
For young refugees arriving in Europe, education is a priority: it’s how lives begin to be rebuilt and hope for the future is rekindled. Find out more about their services here.
The Migrant Children's Project offers free initial legal advice on all issues affecting migrant, asylum-seeking and refugee children, young people and families including:
Asylum Aid is an independent, national charity who work to secure protection for people seeking refuge in the United Kingdom from persecution and human rights abuses abroad.
They provide free, accessible, high-quality legal services to asylum-seekers with a particular focus on the most vulnerable and excluded.
Access the comprehensive pro bono directory of organisations supporting refugees and asylum seekers in the UK.
Are you a refugee looking for support with finding a job?
Breaking Barriers provinces support with finding a job, understanding the UK job market, employability skills & education.
Xenia brings migrant, refugee, asylum-seeking and British women together to connect, share and learn together.
Their in-person workshops are suspended at the moment, but women can still participate online or via phone!
TERN supports refugee entrepreneurs in the creation and development of their businesses, providing services throughout three stages of entrepreneurial process: business exploration, business start-up and business growth.
CIAC is a free information, advice and support to disadvantaged Chinese people living in the United Kingdom.
Among the services offered are support for navigating immigration, home and housing support, and legal assistance.
Mutual Aid is a list of local support groups that have been established during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Whether you're self isolating and are in need of help, or you have time available and want to help others you can use this website to find a group local to you.
There are currently 2052 groups listed.
Praxis provide expert advice helping people to navigate the complexities of immigration law and safeguard their future.
Investing in People and Culture promotes the economic and social inclusion of refugees, asylum seekers and other minority communities in the North East. They provide links to education, work, training and integration advice.
Helping victims of crime or witnesses in the North East with services including coping and recovery plans, court support, and programmes for supporting children and young adults.
Improving the quality of life of ethnic minorities in the North East by providing support for their integration through:
JET provide support and free ESOL classes for people from ethnic backgrounds, refugees and asylum seekers. JET offers help searching for work, suitable training and work experience, as well as integrating into society and local communities.
Working with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities to identify their key issues around health and improve the health information available to them. HAREF then communicates their findings with local health services so that they then have a better understanding of what communities need.
A project providing young Africans with reliable information and training on migration issues and social media to make informed decisions and be aware of safer migration options to Europe
A friendly, safe meeting place offering practical assistance to all asylum seekers and refugees.
African and Caribbean Support Organisation Northern Ireland (ACSONI) is a community-based organisation that seeks to provide an array of support and services to those from the continent of Africa, the Caribbean (West Indies), and other families in Northern Ireland.
ACSONIs' works collaboratively to preserve, promote and platform the cultural heritage of those from the Afro-Caribbean diaspora through various drop-in support services and comprehensive programmes.
'Empowering Refugees to Overcome Exclusion', through ESOL, advice and housing projects.
A charity that promotes alternative and innovative ways of engaging and incorporating migrant and ethnic groups in processes of urban change in London.
A charity supporting community and civil society organisations with varied schemes and programmes including social, cultural, health and economic development to help communities belonging to the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough.
Support for refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants in need through the provision of free advice on immigration, welfare and health.
Toynbee Hall work to tackle the causes and impacts of poverty in East London. They provide: Legal advice, debt advice, work advice, youth projects, learning programmes and create research and policy reports
Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) understand that everyone’s individuals and unique experience of sight loss and therefore offers up help and support for blind and partially sighted people. Services are varied and extensive and this can be from practical and emotional support, campaigning for change, reading services etc.
The Aims of Strabane Ethnic Community Association is to identify and respond to the needs of minority ethnic communities and to raise awareness and understanding within the local community as Northern Ireland become more diverse.
Southall Black Sisters provides an advocacy service for women affected by gender based violence
NERS is an independent and charitable organisation which exists to meet the needs and promote the interests of asylum seekers and refugees who have arrived or have settled in the North of England.
They offer housing support, translation and interpretation, asylum applications, and integration services.
INQUEST is the only charity providing expertise on state related deaths and their investigation to bereaved people, lawyers, advice and support agencies, the media and parliamentarians. Their specialist casework includes deaths in police and prison custody, immigration detention, mental health settings and deaths involving multi-agency failings or where wider issues of state and corporate accountability are in question.
Article 39 is a small, independent charity which fights for the rights of children living in state and privately-run institutions (children’s homes, boarding and residential schools, mental health inpatient units, prisons and immigration detention) in England.
Hackney CVS is an important umbrella body committed to making Hackney a fairer place. They believe everyone should have the best start in life and the best opportunities to succeed regardless of their background, race, social class, gender, sexuality or disability.
SOAS Detainee Support attempts to break the isolation of immigration detention, and supports people to take control of their cases and resist their imprisonment and deportation. They visit people held in Immigration Removal Centres and London prisons under immigration powers.
Resisting immigration raids in Haringey. Stall from 12 - 2pm every Saturday outside Seven Sisters Station.
Akwaaba is a Hackney-based social centre for migrants. We offer a space for rest, play, learning and mutual support. Akwaaba is for all migrants regardless of immigration status, ‘race’, religion, country of origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and (dis)ability.
Just For Kids Law exists to help children and young people overcome all the difficulties they face, from problems at school and issues with immigration status to trouble with the police. They support young people through youth advocacy, legal support and youth projects
A multi-award winning and internationally-recognised student-led project at Newcastle University Students Union (NUSU) that is managed by Go Volunteer. N.E.S.T empowers the refugee and asylum-seeking community in the region through a variety of formats such as one-to-one English teaching, group English classes, sports, creative arts and trips into the local area.
Migrants Organise is an award winning, grassroots platform where migrants, refugees connect, build common ground, organise for dignity and justice for all.
With services including care, counselling, dementia and advocacy support, this charity aims to promote social inclusion for the public benefit by working with people who are socially excluded on the grounds of their ethnicity, religion, belief or creed by providing a local network group that encourages and enables the people to participate more effectively with the wider community.
JCWI work toward a vision of a better Britain by:
Doctors of the World's vision is a world where everyone can see a doctor when they need to. They provide free healthcare, advice and practical support to people who struggle to access NHS services, while working to tackle the barriers to healthcare they face. They believe everyone has the right to healthcare, regardless of their immigration status.
NACCOM represents a network of organisations seeking to prevent destitution amongst migrants with no recourse to public funds. Member organisations provide accommodation and support to asylum seekers, refugees and other vulnerable migrants, and NACCOM provide resources and support for our members.
Haringey Migrant Support Centre provides a weekly drop-in service for migrants. The drop-in offers free immigration advice from legal professionals, and advice and signposting services on welfare and health issues.
Community sporting initiative welcoming members of ethnic minorities in order to bring communities together, with competition money going to organisations like the One Ummah organisation, an Islamic charity working with people affected by the Syrian conflict.
Martha House provides temporary accommodation for forced migrants who have become destitute. Food and accommodation are provided for our guests who have no recourse to public funds and are not allowed to work.We take referrals from agencies who work with migrants.
Commonweal works with Praxis Community Projects to run a no recourse to public funds (NRPF) housing project in London. The project provides free bed spaces for single women with NRPF, cross subsidised by income from housing families to whom local authorities have a Section 17 responsibility.
REAP is an independent refugee-led charity in West London that aims to support refugees as they rebuild new lives in West London, and to live as valued and equal members of British society.
A team of professionals dedicated to support and promote the educational achievement of black and ethnic minority students, integrating students with ESL/EAL, supporting families with EAL in navigating the education system, providing in-school support to Traveller, fair and circus students.
Together with Migrant Children works with children, young people and families who are migrants, refugees or asylum seekers. They work nationwide, with the majority of their work is in London and the South East. They are a small team of social workers, youth workers and other family practitioners.
Young Roots provide one to one casework support to young asylum seekers and refugees between the ages of 11-25 in Croydon and Brent. They help them to access services, accommodation and support.
Set up in 2006 to reduce the poverty of local refugees and asylum-seekers, advance their education and raise awareness about rights and needs.
Services include advice in welfare benefits, housing, education, employment, health and immigration, a supplementary Saturday School for children aged 4-11 and a food bank for destitute asylum-seekers and refugees.
Sufra NW London is a Community Hub that provides Emergency Food Parcels; a Community Kitchen; Guidance and Advocacy; an accredited Food Academy course; a Refugee Resettlement programme; and a Community Growing Project that provides training in horticulture, school environmental visits and a vocational training course.
The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network (TERN). We enable refugees to thrive through the power of their own ideas. We do this through providing them with access to business support networks and business financing, designed to help accelerate them towards launching sustainable businesses.
C4WS Homeless Project, based in Camden, North London, is a Winter Night Shelter operating through local churches. As well as providing somewhere to sleep, C4WS offers people support in other ways, for instance through a Friday Drop in Club, English Classes, a Mentoring and Befriending Scheme and a Jobs Club.
Giuseppe Conlon House is a House of Hospitality for migrants and asylum seekers with no recourse to public funds. It is run by volunteers of the London Catholic Worker community.
ELS is a not-for-profit organisation that provides a wide range of interpretation and translation services to the North East community and beyond, through sign and face to face interpretations, telephone interpreting and translation of any document into any language and format.
Housing Justice train and support night shelters, run a pan London hosting scheme for asylum seekers and forced migrants, and provide mentoring and befriending training and support.
Mindwise is a mental health charity that seeks to raise awareness, challenge the stigma, and campaign for changes to be made within the mental health sector.
Mindwise has an array of key services and offers advice, training, counseling and teaches workplaces to better understand and support good mental health practices.
Praxis works with vulnerable migrants in London- including asylum seekers and refugees- providing specialist advice (including immigration advice up to OISC level 2), housing, advocacy, group work, ESOL classes and interpreting. Praxis is also a member of London Hosting.
LAWRs are a user-led, feminist and human rights organisation focused on addressing the practical and strategic needs of Latin American migrant women displaced by poverty and violence.
Midaye Somali Development Network was originally the Somali Mothers and Under Fives group, to serve mothers with young children.
The Midaye Somali Development Network advocates on behalf of the community across a broad spectrum of needs.
Refugee Women empower refugee and asylum-seeking women to speak out, become leaders and advocate for change. Through English lessons, drama and other activities we support women to build their confidence and skills. Their network helps to combat the isolation faced by women seeking asylum and creates pathways for women to rebuild their lives with dignity.
Refugees at Home is a UK charity which connects those with a spare room in their home to refugees and asylum seekers in need of somewhere to stay.
HERe Ni is a community group and a safe place for lesbian and Bisexual Womxn here in Northern Ireland. HERe Ni aims to create a community space where women can meet, organise, and interact in whatever manner they like. The space is utilised in a number of ways but HERe Ni encourages active discussions, events classes and much more. To find out more get in touch.
Volunteer group campaigning against racism, the hostile environment, detention and deportations. To find out more please visit the webite
MCNI was established to ensure the rights of migrant workers are protected in NI, tackle racism, eliminate barriers against migrant workers, advance education and raise public awareness about their rights.
MCNI has 3 offices across NI, in Belfast, Lurgan and Derry~Londonderry. They offer bilingual services, immigration advice, records and reports hate crimes.
Extern is a social justice organisation that seeks to transform the lives of people by promoting social justice across the island of Ireland. Some of its core values seeks ot provide anti-racism and anti discrimination, thereby offering up support and advice within the realm of housing, homelessness, migrants and refugees issues, mental health and drug use and much more. To find out more about the organisation please visit the webiste.
Law Centre NI aims to deliver free and independent legal services within the realm of social welfare law.
The organisation seeks to promote social justice in Northern Ireland through its public and specialist support services. These services include legal advice, casework and representation before the tribunals and courts, industrial, immigration and social security and much more.
Craigavon Travellers Support Committee aims to support Irish Travellers within the Craigavon area.
The committee offers a large array of services - healthy living and well-being, housing support, education, mortality, racism and discrimination support. CTSC believes in and works towards positive community cohesion which is done through education, community development and welfare rights.
Wah Hep which means “Chinese self-help", is a community development association that represents and provides services for the Chinese community in Armagh county. The organisation 'Wah Hep' has a drop in centre which provides key information to the Chinese and wider community of Northern Ireland.
Bryson Intercultural is an organisation that seeks to empower ethnic minority communities and their families throughout Northern Ireland. The organisation supports and works with a wide range of communities such as the indigenous Irish Travellers, refugees and asylum seekers and many more by promoting and supporting racial and ethnic integration here in Northern Ireland. To find out more please visit the website.
YMCA North Down is a faith-based volunteer organisation that seeks to support the local community across North Downs. The organisation's ethos is to support young people, families and the local community to 'flourish in mind, body and spirit'. YMCA North Down works with all groups, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, religion, culture, or race. To find out more please visit the website.
Community Intercultural Programme (CIP) is an organisation that strongly believes in community development and social cohesion. CIP believes that through social inclusion a wide array of innovative opprtunites for community development arise. CIP. CIP seeks to promote integration between communities and works towards the creation of a society in which all are respected regardless of race/nationality.
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust works in collaboration with the Public Health Agency and the Health and Social Care Board, and for many years has established an evidence-based Nurse-led service for new entrants to Northern Ireland. The project offers an array of support and access to clinics that will assist new immigrants, asylum seekers, refugee children of the ages 0-16 years old with their health and well-being. The organisation seeks to support all new entrants by offering screening, health education and signposting to other services. To find out more please visit the website.
Counselling All Nations Services (CANS) is an organisaition that is designed to support and promote the mental health and emotional well-being of people from Black and Minority Ethnic communities throughout Northern Ireland. CANS services seek to implement these through the provision of culturally appropriate or common minority ethnic language, high quality and accessible counseling service. To find out more please visit the website.
The Chinese Welfare Association Northern Ireland is a community support group that seeks to provide services such as: community development, youth and children work, education, welfare rights, race relations & training and community interpreting. To find out more please check ou the Facebook page.
Glenshane Community Development Limited provides low-cost workspace, educational & training courses, Advice Service, migrant support, room hire, luncheon club for the elderly, and a drop-in facility. To find out more visit the Facebook page.
Inter-Ethnic Forum is an organisation that aims to help ethnic minorities within the Mid & East Antrim Borough Council area.
The aim is to assist with the process of integration as this can often seem difficult and daunting to new comers, as well as promoting positive community cohesion the Inter-Ethnic Forum also platforms other cultures n the local community.
The Scottish Refugee Council is dedicated to supporting vulnerable people that are in need of refuge and protection.
The communities that the charity predominantly advocates for are those who have fled life-threatening circumstances in search of a safer environment for them and their families. Navigating the UK's asylum system can be an extremely daunting task and the Scottish Refugee Council is here to help.
Voices in Exile supports refugees, asylum seekers and those with no recourse to public funds. Advice covers NRPF, food & fuel poverty, asylum support, housing & homelessness, immigration support
A discrete offshoot of Brighton Migrant Solidarity. They are the only organisation in the Brighton area providing housing support to destitute migrants who are not allowed to work or have no recourse to public funds.
They take referrals directly from organisations such as Brighton Voices in Exile. In addition to accommodation, they also provide financial, practical and emotional support to locally based migrants.
Sanctuary Hosting (formerly Host Oxford) is a project which matches destitute sanctuary seekers to those people with spare rooms and open hearts in the community who are prepared to allow someone to stay with them rent free for a pre-defined period of time.
Asylum Welcome welcomes asylum seekers, refugees and detainees who have fled persecution and danger in their own countries and seek refuge in Oxford and Oxfordshire.
Open Door is a drop-in service for refugees and asylum seekers at the East Oxford Community Centre. They offer advice, information, support, recreational activities and a free lunch. They provide a welcoming environment for people to meet, make connections, chat to volunteers and friends, gain training and participate in the preparation of a hot lunch (with halal and vegetarian options).
Slough Refugee Support – SRS – is a registered charity focused exclusively on the needs of refugees and asylum seekers. SRS has built up a deep stock of experience of working with refugees and helping them with the many obstacles they face in their efforts to settle, contribute and thrive in the UK.
Safe Passage is a campaign that advocates for the safe passeage and access to legal routes for child refugess throughout Europe. Over the past few years the organisation has worked with Refugee Welcome groups and individuals from Glasgow to Totness to ensire Britain continues to be a welcoming country to refugees. To fin out more about their services please do visit the website.
Room For Refugees is a community hosting network that offers safe, temporary homes and pastoral support for insecurely-housed refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable groups - families, the sick, the elderly and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children with no recourse to public funds. To find out more please check out the website.
Locally, in Dover, Samphire runs a community engagement project working with migrant and British communities to improve social cohesion, and better inclusion of migrants into Dover and surrounding areas of Kent
Aberdeen Solidarity with refugees is an organisation that provides a coordinated platform for those of us in Aberdeen and North-East Scotland who wish to support refugees, with an immediate focus on the European refugee crisis. To find out more please visit the Facebook page.
Offers support to refugees, asylum seekers and non-European migrants with no recourse to public funds in West Hertfordshire.
Their mission is to help provide access to the advice and services needed, often providing long term support (i.e. basic needs including food, ESOL, befriending etc) until statutory services are in place. WTRRP does not provide accommodation but finds ‘ways and means’ to help source emergency accommodation.
Communities and Sanctuary Seekers Together (CAST) is a Southend-based community group, committed to bring an end to destitution amongst asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants with no recourse to public funding (NRPF) living in Southend.
P.H.O.E.B.E is an Ipswich-based registered charity that offers specialist advice, information, casework, advocacy and support and counselling services to black and ethnic minority women and children.
Scottish Detainee Visitors is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) that supports people detained by the immigration service in Scotland. Furthermore, the charity also advocates for change and influences the punitive policies around detention. To find out more, please the website.
Luton's specialist legal advice charity specialising in Community Care, Housing, Immigration and Asylum
BRASS supports refugees and asylum seekers in Bedfordshire, UK. They provide advice on a range of issues, English language tuition, and social activities
Regional multi-faceted charity offering help with domestic violence for men, women, children, with therapy programmes and a dedicated Young People Service. They also offer security measures and help with housing for refugees.
A Christian Charity in Tees Valley, County Durham and North Yorkshire providing support and integration for asylum seekers and refugees. Services include ESOL lessons, Refugee Housing and Women's Group. Each service has its own corresponding email address:
Resource hub for new vulnerable parents, with sections dedicated to specific ethnicities and local advice directory.
Justice First provides legal aid to people living in the Tees Valley area who are seeking asylum in the UK and who have initially been refused leave to stay here.
DAR is a voluntary organisation helping refugees assimilate into UK society after being granted asylum. DAR has many partners in the North East and are able to help with legal aid, food banks, language classes, transportation and local knowledge to legal aid and form-filling for doctor and dentist registration.
The Drop-In provides a safe and friendly environment for asylum seekers and refugees. They offer services such as internet access, free swim and gym, ESOL, free haircuts, free trips to places of interest, donations of food and clothes.
St Rollox Community Outreach offers a range of support and services to local residents, Asylum Seekers, and Refugees in North Glasgow. The organisation has a drop-in café available which is available for anyone to come in and have a coffee and meet friends. To find out more about St Rollox Community Outreach please visit the website.
The Edinburgh Muslim Community Association’ is a non-sectarian grassroots organisation formed in 2004 by a group of committed converts to Islam and Muslim youth of Scotland. The Association aims are to establish positive community cohesion between the Scottish Muslim community and the general public, provide practical assistance, care and promote unity in society and the Muslim Community. To find out more please visit the website.
Unity in the Community works to provide practical support and solidarity for people in need in our communities, especially asylum seekers. As a organisation they offer many different services from English lessons, access to food banks, unity allotment community, bike workshops, LGBT friendly. To find out more please visit the website.
Glasgow Women’s Library is the only Accredited Museum in the UK dedicated to women’s lives, histories and achievements, with a lending library, archive collections and innovative programmes of public events & learning opportunities. To find out more please visit the website.
The Refugee Survival Trust provides refugees and people seeking asylum with practical support when it is most needed. The Refugee Survival Trust seeks to build connections between people and use what they learn to campaign for change. To find out more please visit the webiste
Building a network that brings people together, including formal and informal community groups, agencies and individuals, to seek to ensure that all refugees, asylum seekers, migrant workers and BME communities across Glasgow and Central Scotland have full and equal access to resources which assist in alleviating poverty, improving their standard of living and promoting their settlement and integration within the wider community.
The Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society is a faith-based (Shī’a Ithnā ʿAsharī ) organisation working to meet the needs of the Scottish Shia Muslim community and the breadth of society in general across the cultural, social, political, and religious spectra. We work to engage with other communities and faiths; strengthening ties in an effort to create a setting for religious and racial harmony, equality, and diversity in the nation. To find out more please visit the website.
The Multi-cultural family base works with families from minority communities and new migrants who are experiencing difficulties.
Some of these are practical, such as housing or financial problems; others are more personal, such as dealing with discrimination or emotional issues. They work in a therapeutic way and offer time and support to help people make sense of the difficulties in their lives and work out how to deal with them.
Based in Plymouth city centre, we provide advice, support, education, IT facilities and a friendly communal space for asylum seekers in the region. They also offer emergency food support and a clothing store.
The Cornwall Refugee Resettlement Network is a committed group who are passionate about Cornwall being a place of welcome, refuge and sanctuary. They offer practical support such as sponsorship, workshops, providing resources, campaigning and running conferences to communicate with the local community.
BRSG (Bude Refugee Support Group) arrange Community Sponsorship, support refugees to rebuild their lives and resettle through English teaching, training and employment support, childminding, driving theory and much more.
Pentreath Ltd run a Community Development Worker service for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic mental health needs in Cornwall. They provide support to any person from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background including migrant workers and gypsies and travellers, who are experiencing mental health difficulties including stress, anxiety, isolation and low mood.
Khaas is the only service of its kind in the South West that has worked across the Bristol area delivering services to improve the lives of disabled children, their carers and families for over 25 years.
Refugee Women of Bristol (RWoB) is the only multi-ethnic, multi-faith organisation which specifically targets the needs of refugee women in Bristol, and are directly governed by women of the refugee and asylum-seeking community.
The Bristol and Avon Chinese Women’s Group exists to support the health and social care needs of Chinese women and their families in Bristol and the surrounding area. They provide assistance, advice, representation and services, as well as facilities for recreation and leisure time.
Bristol branch of the nationwide mental health organisation. Run emotional support helplines, virtual drop-ins, offer advocacy services and resources on how to care for your mental health during the pandemic.
Aid Box Community provides support, supplies and sanctuary to Bristol’s refugees and asylum seekers.
Bristol Hate Crime and Discrimination Services can help you in a variety of ways; from practical and emotional support to legal advice, everything will be guided by you and only with your consent. This service is completely free and confidential.
Nilaari are a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic-led charity with over 20 years experience delivering social care support, talking therapies and training to adults and young people. Nilaari’s services are available to ALL communities across Bristol.
St Pauls Advice Centre offers specialist advice, information and casework services on welfare benefits, debt and money, employment, housing, immigration, discrimination, domestic violence and other community care issues. They offer independent, impartial, confidential, non-judgemental and free advice.
BOSH provides an outreach service providing anything they reasonably can to make lives more comfortable. They also provide advocacy, advice, one to one support and help settling in to a new home and maintaining a tenancy.
Borderlands has been supporting refugees, asylum seekers and those with insecure immigration status in the wider Bristol area since 2011. They help refugees, asylum seekers and those with insecure immigration from exclusion to belonging.
They provide a range of domestic abuse support services to women and children, including safe houses, children’s services, dedicated Black and Ethnic Minority Services, resettlement and outreach services, and a crisis response service. The website offers further information and what to do in a crisis.
Brigstowe in Bristol offer specialist, confidential and free support, advice and information to anyone living with or affected by HIV. They run a specialist service for Migrants and Asylum Seekers, as well as a specialist service for those living with Type 2 Diabetes.
Shire Advice Service offer advice, information and advocacy covering welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment rights, consumer issues, family issues etc. They are fully accessible and based in North Bristol.
BCHA are a major provider of a diverse range of housing, support and learning services for socially excluded people. Although based in Bournemouth, they currently deliver services across the South from Plymouth to Reading.
RMC have a team of qualified and experienced caseworkers that offer a wide range of support to clients who include asylum seekers, refugees, EU migrants, undocumented people and those with uncertain immigration status.
Service provides casework, advice and guidance on immigration.
The overall aim of Afro-British Support Services "IMPACT" is to provide professional innovative Information, Advice and Guidance support services that will enable refugees, asylum seekers and new communities to improve the quality of their lives.
We provide free specialist legal advice to those most in need and use legal processes to fight social exclusion.
MEG charitable work is mainly focused on helping and supporting LTIM such as refugees and Asylum seekers including other vulnerable migrants because are disadvantaged within our society and some are affected by a huge stigma linked to their integration within the UK’s society.
We are a not-for-profit OISC-registered advocacy organisation working to support asylum-seekers, refugees and other people in the West Midlands who are or have been subject to immigration control.
Social and support group for LGBT+ refugee and asylum seekers.
Al-Hurraya was founded in 2014 by Asad Fazil after he recognised that there was an emerging need of a service which works directly with minority communities.
He wanted to offer services where he could use his specialism, empower people and engage with them.
Zola is a specialist BAME refuge. This means there are specialist staff members who can support women’s language and cultural needs. The team consists of four refuge support workers, one team leader, and a children’s worker.
Nottingham Arimathea Trust is a small housing charity with a clear mission to support destitute asylum seekers, newly recognised refugees and modern slavery/trafficking victims.
An East Midlands based facebook group for womxn who collect, fundraise to supply quality bras, new knickers, sanitary products and dignity packs for women and girls fleeing war and violence.
The relief of those seeking asylum and those granted refugee status who are in conditions of need, hardship and distress. To promote the integration of those seeking asylum and those granted refugee status.
Tai Pawb promotes equality and social justice in housing in Wales. We believe that all people have the right to access good quality housing and homes in cohesive and safe communities. We want to reduce prejudice, disadvantage and poverty.
At the Welsh Refugee Council, we have been successfully empowering asylum seekers and refugees to build new futures in Wales for almost 30 years. We are the leading organisation providing support nationally.
The African Community Centre (ACC) Wales is a registered charity which operates across Wales. We welcome all people, especially Africans born in Africa, African Caribbean’s and British Africans who are currently resident in Wales.
Weekly support group as part of the Leeds Survivor-led Counsel Service.
Call 0113 260 9328 or email Patrick at patrick.gatewood@lslcs.org.uk for more information.
This Bradford-based charity helps to women, men and children who are survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence. They work with West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Safer and Stronger Partnership Boards, and the Domestic and Sexual Violence Strategic Boards.
With their Refugee Project in Leeds and Destitution Project in Bradford, Abigail House is a West-Yorkshire based charity dedicated to providing support and homes to refugees and asylum seekers who find themselves destitute on our streets.
(Leeds)
0113 898 0574 / 07743 189314
(Bradford)
07908 364112
AJAR is a network of people in Leeds, often from faith communities, seeking to help people currently in detention who have a valid case for applying for bail. It supports asylum seekers who have been detained beyond reason, are struggling with support and would live in the Leeds area if released.
ASSIST Sheffield helps destitute asylum seekers by providing accommodation, advice and other support to those in most need.
Mama Africa is a voluntary group that supports asylum seekers and refugees in Rotherham. They run weekly activities and a drop in service and are in the process of setting up an accommodation scheme.
In response to the doctor shortage in our NHS, this scheme looks to help refugee doctors regain employment in the UK. They offer family support and housing, as well as retraining and refreshment courses to build confidence and secure jobs.
Located in Prince's Avenue Methodist Church providing activities and resources for asylum seekers, refugee and migrant workers. Their weekly drop-in service includes:
Light breakfast(Tea/Coffee/Toast)
Small Cash Support
Free Clothes (Used and New)
Free Music and English (ESOL) classes
Immigration/Benefit Advice and Support (British Red Cross)
Support for Migrant Workers
DASH hosts drop-in days providing hot meals, a safe social space, casework and referrals (not legal aid), liaising with housing providers, form-filling for health and education institutions, a food bank, creative activities, and advice on settling in to life in the UK.
A network of churches in Bradford but not limited to Christian aid, BEACON hosts a range of support for asylum seekers and refugees, including McKenzie friends who provide mentoring and legal assistance, and hosting support. They hold a weekly drop-in ESOL session called CHAT.
Sharing Voices Bradford (SVB) aims to reduce mental health and related inequalities through community development in partnership with Black Minority Ethnic (BME) communities and other stakeholders through promoting inclusion in all spheres of civil life. They offer counselling, dementia aid, community support among many other services.
Since 1990, QED have been running projects such as ESOL, integration 'into the mainstream', men's groups and workshops to aid the BME communities in finding employment.
A community-run group, BAC look to achieve integration, adaptation and help to meet the need of refugees by empowering them to participate fully in the UK society. Services also include a Women's Group, Homework Club, and ESOL classes.
Womenzone Community Centre is a registered charity established in 2003 to address the isolation and lack of voice and visibility of South Asian women in the Bradford 3 area. With ESOL classes, Women's Health groups, employment support and other services, Womenzone identifies needs primarily of South Asian women for a women-only safe place, to prevent them from being socially excluded and assist their fuller integration into society
The Jyoti service is a specialist service for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic women and girls, which is run by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic women. Jyoti offers a culturally sensitive approach to dealing with issues around rape & sexual violence. offer services in a range of languages and are able to access a confidential interpreting service. All our counsellors and interpreters are BAME women.
Helpline: 01274 308 270
The main focus of Khidmat Centres is to address inherent inequalities in provision of services for the most vulnerable members of the community from minority ethnic backgrounds. Services include:
Older People Services
Drop-in
Education Classes
Health and Wellbeing
Advice on Welfare Benefits
Womens Group
Learning Disability Project
Carers Hub
Halal Food inspection in schools
Muslim Women in Prison Project
Practical and Social Support for Refugees and Asylum Seekers, this charity provides ESOL, Women's Group and weekly drop-in sessions with hot meals and food aid.
Part of the Leeds Crisi-led Survivors Service, Sisterhood BAME Women’s group runs on Monday every week between 12pm – 3pm at the BAME Health and Wellbeing Hub, Reginald Terrace. There are plans to expand and diversify their services beyond this group.
Path provides free ESOL courses, and run The Hive Online, a safe space for migrants to practice English conversations while learning about the British culture, local services, opportunities, and share their cultural identities and stories.
Levelling the Playing Field uses the power of sport to engage and improve health and life outcomes for ethnically diverse children who are at risk of entering, or already involved with, the criminal justice system (CJS).
LTPF operates in the following areas:
HEMCC is a charity based in Hull which aims to advance the education and training of members of ethnic minorities within the local area, so as to assist them to adapt within a new community. We provide English Language classes in both ESOL and IELTS in order to allow refugees to gain vital language skills which will help them to integrate within British society.
Governed by local people and embedded within the communities they support.
Supporting BME and migrant communities by providing them with a voice, advocating on their behalf and representing their interests.
Aiming to build relationships between communities and services by providing them with support and activities that encourage community co-operation.
Co-ordinating projects and events that are tailored to the needs of communities and encourage the celebration of culture.
York Racial Equality Network aims to:
Enable BME voices to be better heard in York.
Improve access to appropriate services and support for BME people.
Increase the confidence of BME people to express themselves and be mutually supportive.
Through their open forums and the Voice Projects, they help to accurately represent ethnic minorities.
Leeds Black Elders Association, a neighbourhood network scheme, takes great pride in providing specialised provision for Black elders, ensuring that their particular needs are being met.
With their website accessible to speakers of eleven different languages, they offer services from meals on wheels, health and wellbeing club, home security, a drop-in service, housing support and activity club.
A place where Asian women can meet and form friendships. The service offers individual and group support to meet the diverse needs of Asian women. Staff speak various Asian languages and have expertise in mental health. Dosti offers culturally appropriate activities promoting a programme of mental health recovery. Dosti is a safe and confidential support service improving women’s mental health in Leeds. The services they offer include:
Women’s friendship group in Armley and Chapeltown,
1:1 support
IT classes
ESOL classes
Solace aims to alleviate the sickness, distress and suffering of refugees and asylum seekers in the Yorkshire and Humberside Region, in particular those suffering from mental health problems or emotional difficulties.
Created in mind for ethnic communities to have an outlet to grieve and receive support after the passing of a loved one, in particular babies and miscarriages. Hope offers multi-lingual counselling services, workshops, counselling and coaching among other things.
BHI is a community engagement organisation working towards equality of access to health and social care within Leeds and the surrounding areas for disadvantaged communities. They offer community initiatives, senior support groups and counselling.
MCS provides opportunities for integration into the community, as well as volunteering opportunities. Manchester groups & organisations partner with them to offer bike lessons, walking days & English lessons
Integration and community support based in Moss Side. MRSN is a grass-roots organisation directly managed by refugee communities in Manchester. For over 24 years, they have been providing practical support to those fleeing persecution, conflict, and various forms of injustice and abuse.
LISG was set up in 2007 as successful anti-deportation campaign for a lesbian from Sierra Leone. As more lesbian asylum seekers began contacting the group, they have continued as a general support group for lesbian and bisexual asylum seekers and refugees.
Based in Manchester, the African Rainbow Family (ARF) is a non-for-profit charitable organisation that support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender intersexual and queer (LGBTIQ) people of African heritage and the wider Black Asian Minority Ethnic groups.
This Manchester-based charity works to empower the disadvantaged population within the Black and Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, particularly refugees, asylum seekers and other immigrants from the new emerging communities in Greater Manchester. They work to promote social integration, equality, diversity and human rights of BAME families, with an emphasis on the mental health and wellbeing of women and young girls who have been victims of Gender-Based Violence.
Providing ESOL to migrant and refugee women.
Mustard Tree supports people in poverty and homelessness, helping people secure better accommodation and economic wellbeing. They provide practical support, friendship, connections into work and improvements to health & wellbeing.
Promoting education, community space, immigration advice, FGM awareness and engagement for BME women.
This charity supports members of the local BME community by providing language support, advocacy, social support and activities, assistance to access primary care services and including advice and education services.
Providing support for Merseyside refugee communities and local support organisations working with refugees and asylum seekers.
A women-only charity set up to support women asylum-seekers, refugees and survivors of trafficking.
Wirral Change is a Black and Racial Minorities Outreach Service offering information, advice and guidance on jobs, education, training, self-employment, health and wellbeing, as well as signposting to other services for racial minority people on the Wirral.
ALM is based in St Anne's Church in Liverpool and supports Asylum seekers in casework, destitution support, ESOL, and housing aid.
Sahir House has been offering HIV support, prevention, information and training across Merseyside since 1985. Sahir House increases HIV and sexual health knowledge, reduces stigma and campaigns for the rights for those living with HIV and related intersectionalities (gender, sexuality, asylum status).
This Leeds-based organisation provides free legal advice and assistance to asylum seekers and refugees who have been unable to receive legal aid.
Micah Liverpool is a social justice charity that has been set up by Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King and St Bride’s Church to relieve Liverpool residents from social injustice and poverty. They run projects to combat unemployment and deliver emergency food aid and affordable food.
Located in the centre of Manchester, this multi-faceted voluntary organisation provides:
Art & Craft Workshops
LE Integration Hub
LASNET
Mi-Zest Multicultural Vegan Kitchen - Pop-Up Cafe
Migrant Echoes - radio
Solidarity & Integration Volunteering
United Peoples Drop-in Service
Initially started to help women from ethnic minorities, this initiative teaches ESOL to women from different backgrounds, working on communication skills by coming together to cook dishes from around the world, sharing recipes, stories, experiences and connections along the way.
Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit is a voluntary organisation supporting people subject to immigration control for over 25 years. They offer free legal advice, representation and support services to people seeking asylum, refugees, children and vulnerable adults. They have a Women at Risk section which helps women migrants and refugees who are disproportionately affected and at more risk of domestic violence, trafficking, forced labour, and other forms of gender based violence.
Cornerstone is a day centre providing services to vulnerable and disadvantaged adults. They help people facing a wide range of social issues and offer support in the forms of men's barber services, computer suite, optometrist, cooking and hygiene classes and one-to-one support. Cornerstone welcomes people from all backgrounds and operates a policy of non-discrimination.
Part of Community Arts North West, the Exodus refugee arts programme works with refugees and host communities across a range of traditional and contemporary art forms, with a strong focus on cross cultural collaborative production. Exodus has been significant in creating a voice and cultural expression for refugee communities new to the region.
Boaz offer safe accommodation and holistic support to destitute asylum seekers and refugees. They host recreational and vocational activities, and help with essentials such as a small food allowance and clothes donation.
BRASS provides support for asylum seekers and refugees in Bolton and offer:
Accessible to speakers of nine different languages, Cheetham Hill Advice Centre is an independent neighbourhood service in one of Manchester's most diverse areas. They can advise on:
Welfare Benefits
Money & Debt
Housing/Homelessness
Consumer and employment problems
Getting into work
Access to adult learning, training and volunteering
Immigration/Nationality issues (we are registered with OISC to provide Level 1 advice)
Access to Education, Health and other statutory services
The Society aims to challenge all forms of discrimination and social exclusion through the provision of diverse and reactive services, delivered by a team of qualified social workers, nurses and other professionals. As the Society has grown, they have developed a range of employment, education and community services for Chinese men and women and for other ethnic minority groups, including Somali, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Indian and many European nationalities. Through their adult classes and drop-ins their aims are:
With the aim of eliminating violence against women in BME communities and a strong focus on cultural sensitivity, Olive Pathway raises community awareness and offers haid through the following:
Advocacy
Legal Aid
Interpreting
Early Intervention and Crisis Support
Outreach and Referrals
OOO on-call support
Safety4Sisters works to support migrant women across the North West who have experienced gender-based violence and who have no recourse to public funds or state benefits.
WomenMATTA is a Women's Centre in Manchester that provides intense, holistic support to women affected by the criminal justice system and to those at risk.
The Centre provides women with a safe and homely space in which to access gender-specialist support services. It is a 'one-stop-shop' offering group work, one-to-one and counselling supporting women around:
Domestic violence/sexual abuse
Mental health
Substance misuse and alcohol addiction
Debt or money issues
Parenting support
Housing and homelessness
MaCO is a community led group which has been set up to support Congolese asylum seekers and refugees that have been placed in Manchester. They offer free and confidential advice, assistance, representation, advocacy, translating and interpreting services in matters relating to welfare, health, social education (culture), academic development, employment, finance management and orientation to life in the UK.