Asylum seekers are not allowed to work, they are often placed in cramped, shared housing, and they must survive on weekly payments of £37.75 a week. They often face discrimination and do not access mainstream services to which they are entitled (such as health care) due to a range of barriers including language, a lack of knowledge of rights and entitlements, and complex mental health issues.
How we help
People receive one-to-one advice through a three day a week drop-in service or scheduled appointments. This includes accessing accommodation or subsistence payments from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS), legal representation, health services, welfare, and Local Authority or emergency accommodation.
We run activities to support asylum seekers and refugees to improve their knowledge of local services, social activities and targeted skills sessions. We run dedicated men’s and women’s groups, English language classes and a Conversation Club.
We work with local local community groups and organisations including the police, Job Centre Plus, churches, and mosques to increase their understanding of the needs of refugees and asylum seekers and to help ensure joined up services in Barnsley.
We could not do this without some wonderful volunteers who take English classes, lead the Conversation Club, and support a whole range of activities to help our clients to settle into their new community such as trips to Yorkshire Sculpture Park, the local cinema and a farm.
In 2017/18:
282
people were supported590
advice sessions helped 220 people102
people attended English language classesRefugee stories
Support our work
You can support our work with asylum seekers by making a donation or volunteering on our projects.
Get support
If you work with asylum seeker in Barnsley, get in touch or find out more about our drop-in times below.
