http://www.samphireproject.org.uk/ex-detainee-support/local-support-services/ – Click on this link for information about local support

Scottish Refugee Council and Refugee Survival Trust have launched an online petition and postcard campaign to raise opposition to UK destitution policies in Scotland.

For a powerful 7-minute and 2-minute edited documentary film following three people refused asylum and destitute living in Glasgow go to: www.stopdestitution.org.uk

 

NEW: Haringey Migrant Support Centre

provides a weekly drop-in service for migrants, offering free advice on immigration, welfare, health and housing, and signposting to other local services. We hope to create a welcoming and safe space in the borough and reach out to migrants who feel isolated.

 No appointment necessary * Any nationality or immigration status welcome

 The Centre is open every Monday

St John Vianney Church Hall, 386 West Green Road, N15 3QL

Drop-in sessions from 13:00 to16:00pm,

 Volunteers needed between 11:30am and 17:00pm.

 Contact us:  [email protected]  /  tel: 07544078332

ASAP has issued 2 new factsheets on Section 4 Support  for Families with dependant children and Pregnant refused asylum seekers

ASAP S4 Familes Final

Fact Sheet Pregnancy Final

Regulations on free HIV treatment

The regulations around access to free HIV treatment for asylum seekers and migrants in England have been laid in Parliament and will come into force on 1 October 2012. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/1586/introduction/made

Child Protection Manual – for African parents in the UK – Go to website below

http://www.afruca.org/publications.html

Scotland – Refugee Survival Trust

http://www.rst.org.uk/who_we_help/  Helps destitute people in Scotland

Accommodation help:

http://naccom.org.uk/

London – Useful Organisations and Contacts

Click on the link below for a wide range of useful information re day centres, access to medical help, food and clothing in London.  Many thanks to Laura Hall for sharing this information with us.

London Useful Contacts Dec 2010

Finding support through studying and volunteering

If you have claimed asylum in UK, you may find life is uncertain and stressful:

  • you will have little money
  • you won’t be allowed to work (If UKBA takes longer  than a year to make a decision on your application, you can request permission to work.)

Keeping sane:

Without work or money, you may get anxious and depressed. You may miss your own people and language. You may feel stressed by the uncertainty of not knowing when your application will be considered and how long it will take.

Fight depression:

  • give yourself a daily timetable of things to do or learn or achieve
  • make contacts

Finding support:

  • make friends
  • socialize
  • join church, mosque or temple of your faith, language and culture, to strengthen you
  • volunteer – look for opportunities to help local charities or groups

If you don’t trust your own community (which happens to many asylum seekers) find a voluntary refugee support group.