Refugees - how you can help

Like many residents we have been shocked and saddened by the plight of those forced to flee their home country due to conflict and persecution. As a city we are committed to doing what we can to welcome those seeking sanctuary and to help rebuild lives.

Newcastle has been welcoming asylum seekers and refugees through the Home Office’s contracted dispersal programme since 1999. We currently have over 1500 asylum seekers dispersed in the city; many will have their applications for refugee status accepted. We have also delivered a number of Government resettlement schemes, welcoming families from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Ukraine.

I have a spare room

Resettled refugees coming to the UK are allocated their own property. However, the offer of a room is very much needed for refused asylum seekers living in Newcastle who have no access to housing, employment or public funds. These are people who have been unable to prove their asylum case to the government but feel unable to return to their home country for fear of persecution.

If you have spare room, you can host a refugee via a charity called Refugees At Home. Find out more at www.refugeesathome.org or apply online at www.refugeesathome.org/host-application.

You can find out more information, and apply for the Homes for Ukraine scheme at Homes for Ukraine: record your interest - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

I want to offer some accommodation

If you are looking to let your property please email asylum@newcastle.gov.uk who help newly granted refugees secure permanent accommodation. The team is especially interested in hearing from you if you have a 4+ bedroom property available. Alternatively, you can contact the Council’s Private Rented Service

You can find out more information, and apply for the Homes for Ukraine scheme at Homes for Ukraine: record your interest - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

I want to foster a child

There are two ways you may help provide support and accommodation to Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children and that is through a fostering placement for the younger children who may be seeking asylum or through our supported lodgings scheme. Please speak to the our fostering team if you would like to find out more.

I want to offer practical support

There are a number of voluntary and community sector agencies currently working with refugees and asylum seekers across the city who would benefit from additional support and donations. Please see below for more detail:

Local agencies providing support to refugees

The following agencies provide support to refugees and people seeking asylum who are already in Newcastle. Please see their websites for more information about donating and/or volunteering opportunities.

West End Refugee Service

West End Refugee Service (WERS) aims to bring about positive change in the lives of people seeking sanctuary here on Tyneside. It runs drop-ins, offers advice & advocacy support, a befriending/buddying scheme, a supported volunteer project for refugees and awareness raising programme.

www.wers.org.uk

Donate: You can donate to support the hardship fund that gives essential financial support (£15 per week) to destitute people seeking sanctuary or to our main fund which will help us deliver core services and projects. We are a small charity and all support is invaluable. Small monthly donations can make a huge difference. All details are here: Donate — West End Refugee Services (WERS)

Rainbow Home

Rainbow Home supports LGBTQ+ people seeking asylum who live in the North East of England.

Website (coming soon): https://www.rainbowhome.org.uk/

St Vincent’s Centre Newcastle (Vinnies project)

St Vincent's Centre, Newcastle | St Vincent de Paul Society (svp.org.uk)

We are currently taking collection of food and toiletries which can be delivered to the Centre every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 1pm and 3pm

Donations made to our Just giving page also help to support our vital work - Vinnies Newcastle is fundraising for St Vincent De Paul Society (SVP England and Wales) (justgiving.com)

Newcastle Libraries

Newcastle Libraries as a Library of Sanctuary are committed to welcoming those seeking sanctuary and to help rebuild lives. We have safe spaces, free access to services including PC and Internet usage, community language resources, family activities and staff to support interactions with local housing providers and council services. To find out more visit https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/services/newcastle-libraries-community-hubs

North of England Refugee Service (NERS)

The North of England Refugee Service (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.

For the last 32 years NERS has been working to improve the everyday life conditions of asylum seekers and refugees, and to promote social inclusion by facilitating their integration and equal participation within British society. We provide essential advice and support to asylum seeking families and individuals on legal, financial, health and housing-related matters as they navigate the complex asylum system, focusing at the most vulnerable stages of the journey to integration.

Form more details please visit our website: https://www.refugee.org.uk

I want to lobby

There are a number of campaigns calling on Governments to do more to protect the rights of refugees and to ensure safe routes to protection for those fleeing conflict and persecution.

More information on these campaigns/petitions can be found on:

• Asylum Matters
• Together with refugees