www.wrc.wales

Protecting the rights of Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Wales

WHO WE AREThe Welsh Refugee Council is a Wales based charity, committed to protecting the rights of asylum seekers and refugees in Wales. For over 25 years now, we have been speaking out and providing practical support to those who have fled persecution, conflict and various forms of injustice and abuse. We work to: • meet the needs of asylum seekers and

refugees in Wales, • create active participation of asylum seekers

and refugees, • positively influence perceptions of asylum

and migration in Wales and • evidence our effectiveness to stakeholders.

OUR MISSION To improve the lives of asylum seekers and refugees in Wales through the delivery of specialist support and influence on policy and practice.

OUR VISION To create a Wales where refugees are welcomed and have access to protection, safety and dignity.

Salah MohamedChief Executive Officer

REFUGEE MOVE-ON SUPPORT We deliver individual casework in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and Wrexham to people who have been granted leave to remain in the UK or other forms of leave to remain within the asylum system. The service includes advice and support on:

• housing following termination of Home Office accommodation support,

• tenancy support and preventing homelessness,

• ensuring that people have the correct documentation to facilitate the transition from asylum seeker to refugee,

• refugees’ rights and entitlements,

• access to employment, health and education,

• families getting their children into school and

• family reunion.

We also provide resettlement support services for the Syrian Vulnerable Person’s Relocation Programme.

SUPPORT FOR WOMEN We deliver paralegal advice, support and referrals to asylum seeking and migrant women. This includes:

• women who have been persecuted due to gender based issues,

• support victims of trafficking in the absence of Legal Aid,

• appeal decisions to withdraw Legal Aid where the applicant’s position has merit for an appeal and

• support applicants to help remove any unfair conditions of leave which can subject them to a life of destitution and or poverty.

SUPPORTING FAMILIESWe provide play support for families with young children in partnership with Bethel Church and Trinity Centre. This support helps children deal with the trauma of fleeing from persecution. Some of the services includes:

• three weekly play sessions for asylum seeking children and their families in Cardiff and Newport,

• regular trips and visits for families in collaboration with other organisations,

• an arts and crafts group and

• family home visits arranged through a referral system that provides toys and baby equipment to the most disadvantaged families.

INFLUENCING We speak out to ensure that policy and practice meet the needs of asylum seekers and refugees, as well as promote their rights and challenge discrimination. We:

• work with the Welsh and UK Governments to influence policy and practice,

• create listening platforms so that asylum seekers and refugees can voice their opinions, ideas and experiences, as well as identify trends in the provision of services,

• collect evidence to inform our influencing activities,

• challenge the media to provide more factual programming about asylum seekers and refugees,

• advocate for the right of asylum seekers and refugees,

• promote the positive contributions of asylum seekers and refugees and

• challenge anti-immigration rhetoric.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING SUPPORT We provide interactive teaching sessions to asylum seekers and refugees at beginners’ level to advanced English for Academic Purposes. Lessons are delivered by volunteer teachers and students from our partner, the University of South Wales.

We provide pathways to employment and education for asylum seekers and refugees through one to one mentoring. Our work also includes recruiting and training volunteer mentors through our READ scheme in partnership with the Trinity Centre.

We deliver Refugee Weeks Wales through a series of art, cultural and educational events in partnership with individuals, community groups and organisations across Wales annually. This work aims to promote positive perceptions of asylums seekers, refugees and other migrants in Wales and encourage an atmosphere of Welcome in Wales.

PARTNERSHIPSAll our work is done in partnership with organisations across Wales, the UK and Europe to deliver the best outcomes for asylum seekers and refugees in Wales. Our partnership work includes:

• service delivery support on destitution, mental health, violence against women, victims of crime and HIV,

• referral services for issues of child protection, hate crime and legal support,

• community development for Refugee Community Organisations,

• signposting to relevant education and training providers,

• events organisation and implementation,

• support with campaigning and advocacy and

• access to spaces for outreach services.

We deliver the communication activities of the City of Sanctuary movement through the Wales in Sanctuary Project and are a pledged member of Cardiff City of Sanctuary.

MIGRATION SERVICES In partnership with COMPAS (Centre on Migration Policy and Society) we work to:

• increase understanding of migration policy and practice in Wales,

• ensure that relevant stakeholders are able to access detailed and up-to-date information and

• support and facilitate the development of four local strategic frameworks on migration.

DESTITUTION SUPPORT Asylum seekers and refugees are identified as one of the most vulnerable groups in society. On an average week we see over 60 people who need support with homelessness and destitution. The support we are able to offer includes:

• food parcels and small one off hardship payments,

• referrals and signposting to housing support agencies and food banks,

• supply of clothing, baby items and toys and

• access to outreach services delivered by partner agencies.

To support those who face destitution go to the GET INVOLVED section of our website.

WOMEN GET ACTIVE We deliver weekly fitness and wellbeing classes to asylum seeking and refugee women in Cardiff in partnership with YMCA Cardiff. They include:

• dance and fitness classes,

• basketball classes and

• crèche for women with young children.

@Welshrefcouncil

Welshrefcouncil

Contact us

WITH THANKS TO OUR FUNDERS

Cardiff

120 - 122 Broadway Cardiff CF24 1NJ

Tel: 02920 489 800

Newport

125 Lower Dock Street Newport NP20 1EG

Tel: 01633 266 420

Swansea

49 Walter Road Swansea SA1 5PW

Tel: 01792 630 180

Wrexham

33 Grosvenor Road Wrexham LL11 1BT

Tel: 01978 355 818

Company No: 4818136 Charity No: 1102449

info@wrc.wales

www.wrc.wales

N200100607

FIND OUR SERVICES

www.wrc.walesN200100607

Company No: 4818136 Charity No: 1102449

@Welshrefcouncil

Welshrefcouncil

REFUGEE MOVE-ON SUPPORT If you have recently been granted status, you may now need further support to access mainstream benefits and help you move on from Home Office support. The Welsh Refugee Council can help you with this.

We can provide advice and support on your rights, entitlements and responsibilities in relation to:

• Housing

• Education

• Benefits

• Health

• Employment

Newport Office 125 Lower Dock Street, Newport, NP20 1EG Tel: 01633 266 420

For Drop-Ins only Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9:30am - 4.00pm Closed for lunch: 12:30pm - 2:00pm Wednesdays and Fridays: 9:30am - 12:30pm only

Cardiff Office 120-122 Broadway, Cardiff, CF241NJ Tel: 02920 489 800

For Drop-Ins only Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9:30am - 4.00pm Closed for lunch: 12:30pm - 2:00pm Wednesdays and Fridays: 9:30am - 12:30pm only

Swansea Office 49 Walter Road, Swansea, SA15PW Tel: 01792 630 180

For Appointments only Mondays and Tuesdays: 9:30am - 4.00pm Closed for lunch: 1:00pm - 2:00pm Wednesdays: Call in for casework enquiries

For Drop-Ins and Appointments Thursdays: 9:30am - 4:00pm Closed for lunch: Monday - Thursdays: 1:00pm - 2:00pm Fridays: Closed

Wrexham Office 33 Grosvenor Road, Wrexham, LL11 1BT Tel: 01978 355 818

For Drop-Ins only Mondays and Tuesdays: 9:00am - 4:00pm Closed for lunch: 1:00pm - 2:00pm

SUPPORT FOR ASYLUM SEEKING WOMEN If you are a woman asylum seekers and you want legal advice to help strengthen your asylum claim, we can help.

Contact Roxanne Manson on Tel: 02920 432 975 or 07866 494 413 Email roxy@wrc.wales

PLAY DEVELOPMENT We run play support sessions in school term time only at:

CardiffTrinity Centre, 4 Elms Road, CF24 1LETuesdays 10:30am - 12:30pm Thursdays 12:30pm - 2:30pm

NewportThe Gap Centre, 42 Stow Hill, Newport NP20 1JGWednesdays 12:00pm- 2:30pm

To join the group or find out about our summer holidays activities email Bronia Conway on bronia@wrc.wales or call 07896 522 697

EDUCATION AND TRAINING SUPPORT If you want to learn English or want to know how to access education and training support services, contact Iona Hannagan Lewis on iona@wrc.wales or call on 02920 432 977Our ESOL Classes take place at the Welsh Refugee Council, 120 - 122 Broadway, Cardiff, CF24 1NJ.

Class Time Table Mondays 10:00am - 12:00pm: Beginners 2:00pm - 4:00pm: English for New Arrivals in

with Cardiff Library

Tuesdays 10:00am - 12:00pm: Pre-intermediate

Wednesdays 10:00am - 12:00pm: Pre-Intermediate 2:00pm - 4:00pm: IELTS

Thursdays 10:00am - 12:00pm: Upper Intermediate 2:00pm - 4:00pm: Beginners

VOLUNTEERINGIf you are interested in volunteering, go to our volunteering page on our website to find out more about the volunteering roles available and how you can apply.

INFLUENCING To find out more about how we work to increase the understanding of asylum seekers, refugees and migration in Wales and how you can get involved in our advocacy work email Tracey Sherlock on tracey@wrc.wales or call 02920 432 985

MIGRATION IN WALES We provide up to date information about Migration in Wales and can help with the development of local strategic framework about migration.

If you want to know more contact: Siân Saunders on 02920 432 980 or email sian@wrc.wales

PARTNERSHIP WORKINGTalk to us about partnership working:

Working with asylum seekers and refugees Jayne Conlon: 07958 303 192 jayne@wrc.wales

Migration in Wales Siân Saunders: 02920 432 980 sian@wrc.wales

Media, Events, Cardiff City of Sanctuary and FundraisingAlthea Collymore: 02920 432 981 althea@wrc.wales

Education and training Iona Hannagan Lewis: 02920 432 977 iona@wrc.wales

WOMEN GET ACTIVE The group meets weekly at YMCA Plas, Shakespeare Street, Cardiff, CF24 3ES. To join call 02920 489 800 or email info@wrc.wales

DESTITUTION SUPPORT To find out more about work on destitution and when the groups meet, contact Althea Collymore on 02920 432 981 or email althea@wrc.wales

GENERAL OFFICE HOURSFor general enquiries contact:Our Cardiff Office: 02920 489 800

Monday - Friday: 9:30am - 5.00pm

Closed for lunch 12:30 - 2:00pm

info@wrc.wales