News

crowd sitting and listening to speakers at Sanctuary in the Senedd 2024.
29th November 2024 | Uncategorized

Building a Nation of Sanctuary: one step at a time 

By Sabiha Azad, Coordinator for Sanctuary Coalition Cymru  Sanctuary in the Senedd 2024 was sponsored by Jenny Rathbone MS at the Pierhead  Wales has an extraordinary opportunity to establish itself as a true Nation of Sanctuary—a place where refugees and asylum seekers can rebuild their lives with dignity, safety, and hope. It’s a vision we’re …

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“How can we move on?” Growth in calls to increase the Move On period for refugees
27th November 2024 | Uncategorized

“How can we move on?” Growth in calls to increase the Move On period for refugees

Good news isn’t always easy to find in the realm of asylum policy in the UK. So we were glad to hear the Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle MP, acknowledge that steps are needed to help refugees smoothly settle into life in the UK. However, this was back in …

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Housing research and Policy Lead Gareth delivers workshop to promote financial well-being for sanctuary seekers and refugees.
22nd November 2024 | Uncategorized

WRC launch new financial well-being workshops

by Souleymane Ouedraogo Last month the WRC launched their new financial well-being training workshops in their Cardiff office. The first of its kind, the workshop was attended by sanctuary seekers and refugees, including women, young families, and older people. The aim of the workshop was to inform people about the various forms of support and assistance …

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New eVISA support service
13th November 2024 | Uncategorized

New eVISA support service

Wales eVisa Support Programme Starting December 31, 2024, Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) cards will be replaced by digital eVisas across the UK, and the Welsh Refugee Council, funded by the Home Office, is ready to help people in Wales with this transition. Here’s a quick guide to what eVisas are, why you need a UKVI …

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CEO Andrea Cleaver addresses the room with a microphone in hand.
2nd September 2024 | Uncategorized

Our statement: Home Office border security announcement

Statement from the Welsh Refugee Council CEO Andrea Cleaver in response to Home Office announcement. The Welsh Refugee Council is deeply concerned by the Home Office’s latest measures, which prioritise border security and enforcement over the protection and dignity of those seeking refuge. While we recognise the need for effective immigration management, this approach risks …

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Children looking after a food stall on Ukrainian Independence Day.
30th August 2024 | Uncategorized

A taste of Ukraine

We had the privilege of being in Swansea on Saturday 24 August for Ukrainian Independence Day. Over a hundred people gathered in St. David’s Place to celebrate Україна’s thirty-third birthday. The Welsh Refugee Council was one of the main sponsors of this event organised by Sunflowers Wales, a community group run by Ukrainian volunteers here …

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Sanctuary seeking children jumping outside in a workshop with the Welsh Rugby Union.
23rd August 2024 | Uncategorized

Rugby: A universal language

Earlier this week, we welcomed the Welsh Rugby Union to our Play Project. These free sessions are a space for sanctuary seeking children and their families to play together and experience the joys of childhood, away from traumatic events they have experienced.    Our boys and girls had the chance to pick up a rugby …

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WRC statement: Together against hate
8th August 2024 | Uncategorized

WRC statement: Together against hate

At the Welsh Refugee Council, we are profoundly heartbroken by the recent surge in far-right extremism and the violence directed at sanctuary seekers, refugees, those with migration heritage, and advice workers. Racism, Islamophobia, and hostile language have no place in our society.  Amidst these troubling times, we are incredibly proud of how Wales, as a …

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What does migration mean to you?
24th July 2024 | Uncategorized

What does migration mean to you?

We have so many memories from this year’s Refugee Week. It is one of the most joyful weeks of the year, and this year’s arts festival was no different. We danced, sang, and talked together all in celebration of the creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.   This year’s celebrations were especially …

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Proud at Pride Cymru
23rd July 2024 | Uncategorized

Proud at Pride Cymru

This year, the Welsh Refugee Council joined the parade for Pride Cymru for the first of many times. On a day where the sun and smiles were beaming all the way through Cardiff, we marched with thousands of people to celebrate and support our LGBTQ+ community. Making our way through the streets with familiar and new friends, …

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