Since we first began, we’ve been dedicated to offering vital services, advocacy, and a strong voice for those seeking sanctuary. Our timeline showcases key milestones that reflect our growth, the challenges we’ve faced, and the incredible resilience of the communities we support. Come along with us as we look back on our journey, celebrating the progress we’ve made and the many lives we’ve touched.

1990

 

The Welsh Refugee Council was founded the same day Nelson Mandela walked out of prison. The founders were a group of refugees, politicians, representatives from the refugee communities, voluntary organisations and statutory bodies.

“We paused the launch to witness this historic moment when Nelson Mandela walked free. It was very moving especially for those of us who suffered for our human rights.”

1992

 

We received a Home Office grant of £30,000 to set up the first asylum support services in Wales, based in Cardiff.

1996

 

The 1996 Immigration and Asylum Act revoked the rights of asylum seekers to access mainstream housing and welfare benefits. Our first project to tackle destitution amongst asylum seekers, the Emergency Provision Project, was launched as a result.

2000

We grew rapidly and by 2000 had offices in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and Wrexham. We were providing advice and support to asylum seekers arriving in Wales under the policy of dispersal. This meant asylum seekers were sent to various towns and cities around the UK on a no-choice basis.

Through donations from the general public, we established the first Hardship Fund; making small emergency payments to the growing numbers of destitute people seeking our help.

2004

Informed by Professor Vaughan Robinson’s research on Refugee Housing in Wales, we launched our Move-On Project, providing advice and support to refugees transitioning from Home Office support into independent housing.

2014

Changes in the Home Office’s approach to providing advice and support for asylum seekers, meant we had to stop providing our One Stop Shop end to end asylum and refugee support service.

Thanks to Welsh Government support we were able to refocus our efforts in 2 areas:

• Advocacy and influencing
• And continuing our vital work to prevent homelessness amongst refugees through our Move On service.

2016

We were awarded contracts under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme to welcome and support Syrian families to several Local Authorities in Wales.

2017

We launched our Asylum Rights Programme funded by Welsh Government to enable asylum seekers to understand and access their rights.

This is a WRC led project in partnership with Asylum Justice, BAWSO, Displaced People in Action, EYST, City of Sanctuary and TGP Cymru.

2018

We held what we believe is Wales’ first arts programme to be led by refugee and asylum seeker artists, delivering 124 workshops across Wales.

We made £9,570 hardship payments thanks to donations.

We started a programme of quarterly visits by groups of asylum seekers and refugees to the Senedd to meet Assembly Members and Welsh Ministers and learn more about politics in Wales.

We delivered Hate Crime Awareness workshops with asylum seekers and refugees in the Gwent area to help them better understand how to identify and report a hate crime.

2019

We hosted Wales’ first Sanctuary Awards, in collaboration with the Welsh Government and the Welsh Refugee Coalition. The ceremony celebrated the contributions and hard work of asylum seekers and refugees across Wales.

November 2019 marked an end of an era. Our Chief Executive, Salah Mohammed, and former refugee, retired after 29 years of service to the cause.

2020

Our new Chief Executive Andrea Cleaver started just weeks before the Covid Pandemic. We launched our freephone helpline and took over 30,000 calls for advice and support, pivoting our services. We also launched our Education and Employment Project

2021

We partnered with Race Council Cymru and Bawso to give out 31 Global Majority Fund grants to Black, Asian and ethnic led community groups across Wales.

In partnership with Scottish and England Refugee Councils we became the Times Christmas Charity of the year.

2022

Our pan Wales Ukraine Project was launched, and we created our award-winning campaign film denouncing the Nationality and Borders Act.

2023

We continue our vital work helping asylum seekers and refugees to build new futures in Wales.

This year also saw us win the WCVA Charity of the Year Award, recognising our contributions and work in Wales.