Anyone needing a hot meal, advice, support and guidance, please feel free to drop into Good Shepherd, 65, Waterloo Road, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 12 noon and 2 o’clock. https://www.gsmwolverhampton.org.uk/ . To use their services, you will need to be assessed. Hot meals are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 12 noon and 2 o’clock. Family food bags are given out on Tuesdays from 9 am to 1:30 pm – Families will need a referral from a partner agency.
The Refugee and Migrant Centre will help anyone, regardless of country of origin, ethnicity, legal status, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability. Their mission is to tackle urgent issues and disadvantage among asylum seekers, refugees & migrants, and to promote long term solutions to the problems they face. Refugee & Migrant Centre, 1st Floor, Roma Parva, 9 Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, WV1 4NB. Click HERE for location map. Tel: 01902-311554 ( switchboard). Website: https://rmcentre.org.uk . Email: [email protected] . Open 9am to 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. (Drop-in surgery: 9am to 1pm).
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Wolverhampton College offer a wide range of full- and part-time courses, including ESOL for 16-18 year olds and ESOL for 19+ at Paget Road, Wolverhampton. Fees depend on your exact circumstances, so you need to ask the college before you commit yourself. Phone: 01902-836000. Email: [email protected] . CLICK HERE for information about other ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses in Wolverhampton.
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Wolverhampton Adult Education Service offer ESOL courses for anyone who’s first language is not English. Enrolment is in September and February, and fees depend on your exact circumstances, so you need to ask the college before you commit yourself. Courses may be available in various locations in Wolverhampton. Office Address: Wolverhampton Adult Education Service, Old Hall Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 3AU (Near the tram stop). Enquiries: 01902-558180. Email: [email protected] . Website: www.aes.wolverhampton.gov.uk . CLICK HERE for information about other ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses in Wolverhampton.
Displaced Student Opportunities UK Study opportunities to support access to university for refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK. https://www.displacedstudent.org.uk/ . A website jointly hosted by three organisations: Refugee Education UK, Student Action for Refugees, and Universities of Sanctuary.
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The Job Change project can help asylum seekers and refugees to improve their job prospects (although asylum seekers will need to wait until they obtain refugee-status before they can take PAID work). Address: 10 Red Lion Street, Wolverhampton City Centre, WV1 4HL. Telephone: 01902 714224. Email: [email protected] . Websites: https://www.jobchange2007.com/ and https://win.wolverhampton.gov.uk/kb5/wolverhampton/directory/service.page?id=dNof06KdE4A . Freephone: 0800 122 3510. Training Manager: Gary Brown, [email protected] .
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Housing Support Services – Refugees
City of Wolverhampton Council, Housing Outreach Team – Telephone: 01902 555760
E-mail: [email protected]
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Locally, the British Red Cross can help with refugee support and International Family Tracing, within the Staffordshire, Warwickshire and West Midlands areas. Contact: Bradbury House, 7, Lowe Street, Camp Hill, Birmingham, B12 0ER. Telephone: 0121 766 5444.
Europe Refugee Crisis Support Line: 0800 107 8727 (daily from 9am – 7pm) co-ordinates offers of help.
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The Hope Community Project have been working with Asylum Seekers and Refugees since 2001. Very dedicated volunteers provide ESOL support (English for Speakers of Other Languages). “As long as we have the tutors, people can come from anywhere in the city. It is predominately for those who have no access to public funding but we try not to turn anyone away”. The Petals of Hope Women’s group is for all women to have a space to socialise, practice speaking English, learn new skills and confidence and to integrate. “Lots of friendships are made in this group. We have recently opened another session as many mums have children of nursery school age and cannot attend the group unless the child is in school”. This is dependent on volunteer qualified childcare practitioners (MORE NEEDED!) to run a creche, otherwise there is no provision for pre-school children whose mums want to learn ESOL (There are no funds to provide a paid worker).
Manager Lisa Storey, Hope Community Project, 40 Ling House, Long Ley, Heath Town, Wolverhampton, WV10 0HH. 01902-556645. Email: [email protected] Website: https://hopecommunityproject.org.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeheathtown/
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Hope into Action houses and provides support to the homeless, including refugees of any religion, in partnership with local churches. https://www.hopeintoaction.org.uk/contact Phone: 0173 355 8301. Facebook: www.facebook.com/hopeintoaction
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“ACH is an award-winning specialist housing and training provider that delivers settlement and resettlement services to refugees, vulnerable homeless and other displaced individuals”. Read About Us Here. Website: https://ach.org.uk/ Phone: 01902-429163. Email: [email protected] Visit: 3rd Floor, Derwent House, 42-46 Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, WV1 4XB (by the ring-road traffic lights). Click HERE for leaflet.
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The Women & Families Resource Centre (including the ‘Sisters with Heart’ befriending project) welcomes Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Migrants. “Our main aim is to facilitate the integration of Women into the community whilst empowering them to identify their own needs, create their own solutions and make their own choices, so that they have lasting improvements to the quality of their life”. 39-41, School Street, Wolverhampton City Centre, WV1 4LR. 01902-715045. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Mobile: 0775 495 392. Mon-Fri 11am-6pm. Email: [email protected] . Website: https://wfrc.uk.com . Click HERE for Weekly Women’s Group Poster.
Aspiring Futures CIC is another women’s organisation which welcomes Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Migrants. “Supporting women to aspire for better”. The Saplings (by Windsor Nursery School), Parkfield Road, Wolverhampton, WV4 6EL. 01902-458770 (Mon to Thurs 9am – 3pm) or 0755 766 7609. https://www.aspiring-futures.co.uk/ . Email: [email protected] . Click HERE for leaflet.
For Asylum-Seeker and Refugee Parents: The Life Pregnancy Matters Centre at 12 Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton Town Centre, WV1 1DG (01902-420083) is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and may be able to provide items for babies and children, including push-chairs, cots and clothing, free. It can be accessed via the Life Charity Shop on the ground floor. They would welcome donations of baby equipment and items which can be sold in the shop. Collection of large items can be arranged (01902-420656). Email: [email protected] .
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A local group which organises social and training activities for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Coven Lodge, Coven Street, Wolverhampton, WV10 9AX. Free Tea & Coffee! Soup Kitchen. Food Bank. Children Welcome. Click HERE for Mission Statement. Website: migrantempowermentgroup.co.uk/ Phone: 0771 315 6506. Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/migrantempowermentgroup/
Contacts: Rita 0798 330 9870, Liz 0751 500 7572, Moona 0798 513 4467, Richard 0781 337 6759 or [email protected] . Languages spoken include Tigrinya, Oromo and English. www.zelkafoundation.co.uk , @thezelkafoundation
Interfaith Wolverhampton provide education aimed specifically at nurturing and disseminating knowledge and understanding of the rich diversity of religious beliefs and practices within the City of Wolverhampton, with the purpose of supporting community cohesion through dialogue and collaboration on specific projects. Their Diary Page is frequently updated with local events and meetings. Tel: 0785 325 1929. Email: [email protected] .
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Restore (Birmingham) run training sessions about refugee issues and befriending. Training is offered free of charge, but donations towards costs are welcome. See our Diary Page for any near-future courses, or contact Restore’s Befriending Coordinator via 0121 661 4275 or Email [email protected] .
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The Hope Projects work with asylum-seekers in the West Midlands (mainly Birmingham). They arrange accommodation and support, and are now accredited to offer legal advice and representation. Website: https://hope-projects.org.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HopeProjectsBirmingham/ Address: Hope Projects, Jericho Building, 196-198 Edward Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, B12 9LX. Email: [email protected] . [Their partners include: Restore, Refugee Action, British Red Cross, Entraide, BIRCH Network, The Refugee and Migrant Centre (Wolverhampton, Black Country & Birmingham) ].
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The University of Wolverhampton is able to provide short courses to enable graduate and post-graduate refugees and asylum-seekers to make the best use of their skills in this country. This includes those who are allowed “No recourse to public funds”, but depends on sufficient donations having been received to finance these courses. If you can help with this, please contact the Dean of Students, Jon Elsmore, University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY. Tel: 01902 321000. Email: [email protected] . Graduate and post-graduate refugees and asylum-seekers can seek advice from the Education Guidance Advisors, Tel: 01902 321032. Email: [email protected] .
Web: www.wlv.ac.uk/gateway . In addition, the Chaplains are experienced in offering guidance, support and spiritual direction and are available and ready to talk to students of any religion or none. If you would like to see a chaplain then please telephone either Rev. Sarah Schofield on 01902 322904 or the secretary on 01902 322903 or else call in at the Chaplaincy Centre.
Local Support Group for Christian ‘Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex’ Asylum Seekers and Refugees. Meets twice a month on Thursdays from 2 pm to 4 pm ‘to provide a safe, welcoming, confidential, inclusive, social, supportive, prayerful space’. Church of St Chad & St Mark, Lime Street, Wolverhampton, WV3 0HG. For more details and dates: Espoir Njei = 07476-084698, Festus Osuji = 07902-473521, Revd David Babbington = 07931-421017 or [email protected] . Click HERE for poster.
Among other services, Micro Rainbow can offer safe housing to vulnerable LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees in the West Midlands area who are homeless, in need of housing or moving-on support. Website: https://microrainbow.org/safe-housing-west-midlands/ . Helpline (freephone): 0800 358 5851, Monday to Friday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Emails: [email protected] , [email protected] , General Enquiries: [email protected] , Request Translator: [email protected] . Special Helpline for Afghan refugees: 0800 358 5852 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (Pashto/Farsi/Dari, Click HERE for poster). General website: https://microrainbow.org/ . Postal Address: Unit 2.4, The Green House, 244-254 Cambridge Heath Road, London, E2 9DA.
Rainbow Migration supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) people through the asylum and immigration system. They provide practical and emotional support for LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum to help improve their confidence and self-esteem and reduce isolation. They provide specialist legal information and advice, and campaign to improve the treatment of people seeking asylum. They also provide legal advice and information to LGBTQI+ people who want to live in the UK with their partners. Tel: 020 7922 7811 (Monday – Friday during office hours). Email: [email protected] . Website: https://www.rainbowmigration.org.uk . Address: Rainbow Migration, 7-14 Great Dover St, London SE1 4YR. “In order to ensure that your case is properly presented, it is essential to consult a lawyer who specialises in asylum law and who, preferably, has represented LGBTI asylum seekers before. If at all possible, you should consult the lawyer before applying for political asylum”. Details of other helpful organisations (and other advice) can be found at: https://www.petertatchellfoundation.org/asylum-advice-for-lgbt-refugees/ .
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Migrant Children’s Project – Free Legal Advice and Information on the rights of refugee, asylum-seeking and migrant children and young people, from [email protected] and from 0207 636 8505. CLICK HERE for two-page pdf leaflet. https://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/about-us/what-we-do/migrant-childrens-project/
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The No Accommodation Network is committed to bringing an end to destitution amongst asylum seekers, refugees and migrants with no recourse to public funds living in the UK. Most of their members work primarily with asylum seekers whose asylum claims have been rejected, but for a variety of reasons have not been removed from the UK. Individuals in this position are not entitled to benefits or housing, and cannot work. The purpose of their website is to enable those who are working to end destitution in the UK amongst asylum seekers and other migrants, through accommodation and practical support, to share ideas and best practice.
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West Midlands Centre, Unit 5, 1st Floor, Caroline Point, 62 Caroline Street, Birmingham, B3 1UF.
Contact: [email protected] or 0121 314 6825.
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A small charity, Medical Justice is the only UK organisation that arranges for independent volunteer doctors to visit men, women and children in immigration detention. We reach 1,000 detainees a year. The doctors document detainees’ scars of torture and challenge medical mistreatment, including lack of medication and access to hospital. Medical casework evidence informs our research. We challenge the Home Office to secure lasting change. Where that fails, we may litigate. We provide lawyers with evidence of systemic healthcare failures. MORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! http://www.medicaljustice.org.uk . [email protected] . 0207 561 7498.
Referrals are accepted from detainees, their legal representatives, family members, befrienders, medical professionals and organisations supporting the detainee. There is no charge to make a referral to Medical Justice and we do not use agents or third parties to deal with referrals to Medical Justice.
Make an online referral now: https://refer-mj.caseworkerconnectonline.org/.
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Platforma arts and refugee network supports and develops arts by, about and with refugees and migrants from marginalised communities. It brings together groups and artists of any background or political status (e.g. refugees and non-refugees), whose work examines the varied experiences of refugees both before and after they arrived and settled in their host country.
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For the Refugee Week Home Page, Click Here.
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