If you’re interested in helping refugees in the North East, there are a ton of great charities that you can support.
North of England Refugee Service (NERS)
The North of England Refugee Service (NERS) was established in 1989, and offers support and assistance to refugees and asylum seekers who have arrived in the North East. Their goal is to 'improve the everyday life conditions of asylum seekers and refugees, and to promote social inclusion by facilitating their integration and equal participation within British society'.
They help those applying for asylum in the UK at all stages, aid those who have Leave to Remain and refugee status in finding accommodation and financial support, as well as offering supported housing and interpreting and translation services.
If you’d like to support NERS, you can sign up to be a volunteer online using their online form. Alternatively, NERS are a registered charity, and you can donate through their JustGiving page or Amazon Smile.
Action Foundation
Action Foundation is a charity based in Newcastle upon Tyne, and helps asylum seekers and refugees connect and integrate into the community. Their vision is to 'empower vulnerable asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in overcoming exclusion and poverty.'
They run a number of services, including an InterAction drop in service, a Digital Inclusion service which helps refugees access technology, Action Language which provides free English lessons, and Action Housing for those who have been refused refugee status.
If you’d like to support Action Foundation, you can volunteer with Action Language, the Digital Inclusion service, or the InterAction drop in service You can make a donation to Action Foundation who are a registered charity, or you leave the charity a gift in your will using Legacy Giving.
Open Door
Open Door North East is a Christian organisation which helps support refugees and asylum seekers to settle in the UK. Their ambition is to, 'alleviate and eliminate the devastating and complex effects of destitution and homelessness experienced by asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants in the Tees Valley.'
They offer an accommodation service for newly recognised refugees, as well as housing for those who have recently been refused refugee status. They also offer advice on applying for different kinds of asylum support, benefits, and ensure that immediate basic needs are met.
If you’d like to get involved with Open Door North East, you can donate using their People’s Fundraising page. You can also apply to be a volunteer using their online form.
Peace of Mind
Peace of Mind is a registered charity which helps advocate for and support asylum seekers and refugees in the North East. Their mission is to, 'provide peace of mind for those fleeing war, destitution, violence, forced marriage and political persecution, and to build a safe community in the North East of England.'
They run a weekly drop in service which helps connect refugees as well as offering emotional, practical and educational support. Previously, they’ve also run Parenting in the UK workshops to help refugees understand laws, customs and culture in the country, as well as Community Safety sessions to help asylum seekers and refugees report incidents if they occur. They also have a fund and a community food bank.
If you’d like to support Peace of Mind, they regularly post on Facebook for the donations that they need to support newly arrived asylum seekers.
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