Hull Refugee Help

Hull Refugee Crisis Help Advice Forward Citizens Advice Bureau

Following the national news coverage of the ongoing refugee crisis, many organisations, charities, and community leaders have been approached by people wanting to help.

Across Hull, there are many charities, and not for profit agencies working to help asylum seekers, refugees, and those left destitute following refused asylum claims.

Below is more information about the crisis, about what the different terms relating to asylum mean, and how you can help by supporting local organisations already helping in the community.

Helping Refugees

Over the past few years there have been a massive increase in the number of people fleeing persecution and seeking sanctuary in Europe. More than 3,000 people have died trying to cross the Mediterranean. 2.5 million Syrians are currently in Turkey living in extremely difficult conditions. A total of 643,408 people seeking a place of safety have arrived in Europe. 520,000 people have claimed asylum in Germany alone. Up to 5,000 people are struggling to survive in the ‘Jungle’ in Calais. Currently over 30,000 people are claiming asylum in the UK. Not every one will get a positive decision. Refused asylum seekers become destitute and are at risk of exploitation.

How can you help?

Following the photos of Alyan Kurdi, people in Hull have wanted to know how they can help. There is a page more specific to East-Riding-Refugee-Help, and also the organisations below have an existing and longstanding track record of providing support to refugees in Hull. Help can be in the form of time (volunteering) or donations of money or goods.

British Red Cross Hull Refugee Crisis Support Help

 

 

supports refugees and asylum seekers at a drop in at Open Doors (Prince’s Avenue Methodist Church) on a Thursday morning between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm (clients to arrive before 12:00 to be seen that day). A limited number of appointments might be available at our office for more complex casework. Further information is available from:

For more information on Red Cross Refugee Support click <here>

Donations can be made <here>

Email: JMercer@redcross.org.uk

Hull and East Riding Citizens Advice Bureau CAB Hull and East Riding Citizen’s Advice Bureau

CAB is an independent charity with over 70 years experience of providing information, advice, guidance, practical support and casework to a high level of legal competence. The bureau aims: to provide the advice people need for the problems they face and improve the policies and practices that affect people's lives. We provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination. The Citizens Advice service offers information and advice through face-to-face, telephone and email services, and online via www.adviceguide.org.uk

The Bureau offers general advice on immigration and nationality matters. We also work in partnership with a range of organisations who can signpost and refer to as appropriate.”

For information on CAB services, opening times and access to services click <here>

Useful websites

www.AdviceForward.org.uk

www.adviceguide.org.uk

Hull Haven Project Refugee Crisis Support HelpHaven Project

Haven Project offers psychological support to families of refugees and asylum seekers. Referrals can be made via the Haven website. Also offering support to young people from asylum seeker and refugee families who are struggling to cope with integration issues through a very experience youth team (telephone number above). Haven operates from 9:00am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday with client seen by appointment only. Volunteers are welcome and applicants can apply through Goodwin Development Trust 01482 587550.

For more information on Haven Project click <here>

Donations: cash/cheques direct to Haven Project

Address: Marvell House Children’s Centre, Cranbourne Street, Hull HU3 1PP

Telephone:01482 325422

Hull City of Sanctuary Refugee Crisis Support Help

 

 

Hull City of Sanctuary is part of the National City of Sanctuary movement which seeks to create a welcoming environment for refugees and asylum seekers. Hull City of Sanctuary aims for Hull to achieve full City of Sanctuary status in 2017.

For more information on City of Sanctuary click <here>

E-mail:hull@cityofsanctuary.org

Hull’s Hungry People

Hull’s Hungry People are a group of local people providing destitution supplies to refugees asking for help from British Red Cross, NRC(ARKH) and Open Doors. Specific one off items (eg baby equipment, specific items) can be provided depending on need.

Donations: cash donations can be made via a collection box at Grain Health Food shop on the corner of Ella Street.

HANA Hull Refugee Crisis Support HelpHumber All Nations Alliance

HANA is an umbrella organisation for many community groups embracing all cultures across Humberside.

For more information on HANA click <here>

E-mail:info@hanaonline.org.uk

Address: 44 Portland Street, Hull, HU2 8JX

Telephone: 01482 491177

H-CAS Hull Refugee Crisis Support Humber Community Advice Services (H-CAS)

H-CAS is a not-for-profit organisation providing free information, advice and guidance to the minority ethnic communities in Hull and the neighbouring areas. Our aim is to promote equality and respect for human rights of the ethnic minorities, and work towards the elimination of their exclusion, discrimination and poverty.

We work towards building their capacity, and helping them to settle and integrate better into the British society. We provide three advice drop-in sessions weekly, mainly on debt, housing, employment, welfare, health & well being related issues; and community involvement. We have also delivered training in mental health awareness; and in informal basic IT skills.

Centre 88, Saner Street, Hull, HU3 2TR.

Tel: 01482 236460 /224145.

Mobile: 07717 288719.

E-mail: info.hcas@gmail.com

Access: Drop-in sessions at Centre 88 every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11am – 1pm. No prior appointment necessary.

Support required: Any material or financial support which enables us to continue delivering our service is welcome.

Volunteers: Seeking to recruit more volunteer advisers. Anyone interested – Please contact the office for a volunteer application form.

NRC ARKH Hull Refugee Crisis Support HelpNorthern Refugee Centre (ARKH)

NRC (ARKH) runs services for asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. Our Safe Spaces project works in partnership with the Haven Project to provide therapeutic casework to women seeking to regularise their immigration status. Health Access for Refugee Project trains and supports volunteers to enable them to support asylum seekers to access health services. Our advice sessions operate on a Monday from 2:00 to 4:00 pm (doors open 30 minutes before) to

For more information on NRC ARKH click <here>or <here>

E-mail:arkh@nrcenre.org.uk

Telephone 01482 214178.

Donations can be made <here>

Hull Open Doors Refugee Crisis Support

 

 

Open Doors provide a welcoming place for people new to Hull to meet and make friends. On a Thursday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm we run a run a drop in where people can drink tea and coffee plus have a nutritious warm lunch and if eligible obtain a food parcel. British Red Cross provides advice and food vouchers and Community Health Nurses provide information on TB. Open Doors also run the Volunteer Interpretation and Translation Service, befriending, job search and other services.

For more information on Open Doors click <here>

Prince’s Avenue Methodist Church, 91 Prince’s Avenue, Hull HU5 3QP

Telephone: 01482 345132

Access: Thursday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm (drop in)

Support required: financial donations for our food parcels and to run our services are always welcome.

Refugee Council Hull Refugee Crisis Support HelpRefugee Council

Refugee council Hull primarily supports refugees under the Gateway Protection Programme. To find out more about their services and how you can get involved take a look at their website.

For more information on Refugee Council click <here>

Information about asylum

Asylum seekers: there are currently around 30,000 people in the UK who are asylum seekers. An asylum seeker is someone has asked to be given sanctuary in the UK under 1951 Refugee Convention and is waiting for a decision. If they do not have any money they will be able to claim asylum support from the Home Office and will be allocated somewhere to live but they are not given any choice about where and with whom they live. It is a criminal offence for them to work although if they have not had an initial decision on their claim after one year they can apply for permission to work but the jobs are very restricted. Refused asylum seekers have access to housing and financial support removed.

Refugee:If the claim for asylum is accepted by Home Office then an asylum seeker becomes a recognised refugee with limited leave to remain for five years. They are entitled to work, study and if necessary claim benefits. After five years they are then able to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

Humanitarian Protection: If the Home Office decides an asylum seeker does not meet the conditions for refugee status BUT it is still very dangerous for them to return to their country of origin then they might be eligible for Humanitarian Protection which lasts for five years. After five years then they may apply for indefinite leave to remain.

Citizenship:After five years legitimately in the country and one year with settlement they can apply citizenship under strict conditions relating to their ability to communicate in English, knowledge of life in the UK plus be of good conduct.

 Additional Sources of information:

http://www.unhcr.org/

https://www.ifrc.org/

https://www.icrc.org/

https://www.amnesty.org.uk

http://www.hrw.org/

www.refugeecouncil.org.uk

http://www.redcross.org.uk/

http://www.migrationyorkshire.org.uk/ (information on Yorkshire)

http://www.adviceforward.org.uk/ (information on advice services in Hull and East Yorkshire)

need housing debt issues benefits advice