Wales Sanctuary Service
The Wales Sanctuary Service (WSS) is here to support people seeking asylum as they navigate the challenging journey of finding safety and rebuilding their lives in Wales. Run by the Welsh Refugee Council and funded by the Welsh Government, we provide practical help, emotional support, and trusted advice to help people through this critical time.
Seeking asylum is a difficult journey, often filled with uncertainty. After fleeing danger in their home countries, individuals seeking sanctuary face many challenges—from navigating the legal process and securing safe accommodation to accessing healthcare and education in a new country. Many experience isolation, financial hardship, and the emotional strain of living in limbo while waiting for decisions on their cases.
This is where the Wales Sanctuary Service steps in. Working closely with our partners—DPIA, EYST, BAWSO, Asylum Justice, and TGP Cymru—we provide vital support to help people overcome these hurdles and build a stable foundation for the future. Together, we:
- Help with accommodation issues, ensuring individuals have somewhere safe and stable to live.
- Support access to healthcare and mental health services to ensure wellbeing.
- Offer advice and information about rights, entitlements, and next steps.
- Advocate for individuals in their interactions with services and systems.
- Assist with applications for further Home Office support.
- Guide individuals to access education and build skills for their future.
- Offer emotional support and regular wellbeing checks during an uncertain time.
- Signpost to legal advice to assist with asylum claims.
What makes our service truly unique is that 80% of our team have lived through the asylum process themselves. This means we deeply understand the challenges, frustrations, and hopes that come with seeking sanctuary—and we’re here to help every step of the way.
Between April 2023- March 2024 the Wales Sanctuary Service:
- Helped 1,682 sanctuary seekers from 89 different countries.
- Delivered 9,
114 advice and guidance sessions. - Supported clients who spoke 61 different languages.
Support referral form
Widening of Dispersal Support
The Wales Sanctuary Service has additional support available via widening of dispersal to all 22 local authorities in Wales. For more information please click the link below.
Widening of dispersal support
Case Studies
Oguz Case
Oguz* came to our Cardiff office after being directed to the Welsh Refugee Council by another local organisation. She spoke no English but it very quickly it became apparent that there was a safeguarding concern as she was escaping domestic abuse from a partner in Cardiff. Oguz had only been in the UK for about 2 weeks and it became clear that this was not the first time that the partner had been abusive.
Through an interpreter the Safeguarding Lead and Caseworker were able to understand Oguz’s status, accommodation situation and get an understanding of the level of risk she was at from further violence from the partner. The Safeguarding Lead discussed the situation with Oguz and set out what may happen following referrals to external organisations. An emergency accommodation application was submitted to the Home Office and the safeguarding team at the short term housing and support organisation were advised to anticipate the possible arrival of Oguz at their offices. The application was accepted within a few hours and Oguz was supported by the WRC team to get to the emergency accommodation. Throughout the process, there was clear communication between the WRC team, Oguz and the safeguarding team at the housing orgnisation to ensure the best outcome and appropriate support for her.
Ahmed Case
Ahmed* came to WRC for support as he had been issued an Absentee Notification Form from the housing provider due to being away from the property for a number of unauthorised days which contravened his housing agreement and resulted in possible eviction from the property. The caseworker spoke to Ahmed via an interpreter to get a fuller picture of the situation. Ahmed explained that he had recently lost both of his parents in a tragic car accident in his home country. He had travelled to London to be with his siblings and grieve the loss of their parents, thus being absent from the property.
The caseworker spoke to the Housing Manager and relayed Ahmed’s situation to him. The Housing Manager was very sympathetic and terminated the Absentee Notification Form with immediate effect and agreed that no further action was to be taken. The Housing Manager arranged to meet Ahmed at the property the next day to conduct a Welfare Check and provide any necessary support. Without the direct support from the Caseworker the client would not have been able relay his circumstances to the housing provider thus resulting in eviction and potential termination of support. The work of the WSS team avoided further trauma following the death of his parents and enabled the Housing Manager to have a greater understanding of the complex issues asylum seekers experience.
*Names changed for anonymity.