We understand the needs of asylum seekers and refugees in Wales better than anyone. Our expert support covers a range of challenges asylum seekers and new refugees often face.

As an example, the application form for Home Office financial support is 32 pages long, contains technical language and is only available in English. We can guide people through these questions to enable completion and successful submission.

Our assistance will depend on the needs of your area and the legal status of the person being supported.

For asylum seekers, support could include:

• Liaising with organisations such as Clearsprings Ready Homes, Migrant Help and Wales Strategic Migration Partnership on behalf of clients.
• Advice on, and assistance with, Home Office requirements and processes such as Relocation Requests, Safeguarding, Bail 201, Detention or interview delays.
• Assistance in accessing legal advice and possibly contacting a solicitor on behalf of more vulnerable clients.
• Resolving Aspen Card issues including lost cards, activation or other problems.

For new refugees support could include:

• Making referrals to the Housing Options Service and taking steps to prevent homelessness.
• Co-produced applications for financial assistance in the form of, for example, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Child Benefit, Social Fund and Healthy Start assistance.
• Assistance with documentation including National Insurance numbers, Integration loans, and travel papers.
• Referrals to social services and assistance with safeguarding.
• Enabling access to child and/or adult education opportunities once refugees have settled into their new accommodation. This could include getting children into school, help accessing ESOL lessons, employment qualifications and assistance with University or College applications.
• Raising awareness of healthcare access and translating questions to enable GP registration, dentist and hospital appointments.
• Support for people facing hardship or destitution in the form of, for example, food parcels, referrals to food banks and partner organisations who can provide other necessities such as clothing.
• Banking setup, banking applications, and liaising with the bank on behalf of clients.
• Employability workshops and one-to-one mentoring to help with, for example, compiling CVs and completing job application forms.
• Helping people who have been released from prison get access to accommodation and mental health support where needed.

Contact us today

If you would like an informal conversation about how we can support your local authority to get ready for Widened Dispersal, please contact Wales Sanctuary Service and partnerships Manager Bridgit Corr on bridgid@wrc.wales