The Refugee Council

The Refugee Council is one of the leading charities in the UK working directly with refugees, and supporting them to rebuild their lives. We also speak up for refugees using our direct work as an evidence base, and ensure refugees have a stronger and more influential voice in decisions that will affect them. We work with a range of partners and in collaboration to ensure we can best support our clients.

Year(s): 1951 - Present

Target group(s): Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Website: www.refugeecouncil.org.uk

Methodology

The Refugee Council work with refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK, offering practical support and advice throughout their journey in the UK. The Refugee Council have been helping refugees for more than 60 years and have a thorough understanding of the difficulties facing people arriving in the UK, having fled war, rape, torture and with unimaginable stories to tell. Many refugees have lost everything and their lives will never return to normal. They offer a helping hand to support and empower them to rebuild their lives. THe Refugee Council use the following methodologies: Policy and Research Refugee Services Support and Advice Training Advocacy

Type of product

Products include: Advocacy Network Policy Briefing papers English language courses The Health Access for Refugees Programme Therapeutic Services Refugee Resettlement Programmes

Brief description of the product / outcome / method

Policy and Research The Refugee Council speak up for refugees drawing on evidence from their direct work, and make sure refugees have an influential voice in decisions that affect them. At the Refugee Council, they are pushing for a UK asylum system that is fair, humane, and effective so that refugees can get the protection they need and rebuild their lives. They do this by: ◾Influencing policies and decisions that affect refugees ◾Publishing research, often based on our direct work with refugees ◾Influencing parliamentarians to push for change for refugees ◾Engaging our supporters in campaigns to influence decisions affecting refugees ◾Giving refugees a platform to speak out on issues affecting them ◾Promoting positive attitudes towards refugees Their work focuses on key areas of the asylum system including destitution, housing, legal support, detention, and integration, as well issues facing vulnerable groups such as separated children and women. Refugee services The Refugee Council's Holistic Integration Service supports newly recognised refugees to make the challenging first steps towards resettlement. Having been denied access to public funds and services during the asylum process, newly recognised refugees need to address some immediate essential issues, namely: ◾Obtaining the necessary Identify and immigration documentation (Asylum related issues) ◾Accessing a source of income or interim financial support (Financial Stability issues) ◾Addressing any physical and mental health problems (Health and Wellbeing issues) ◾Finding somewhere stable and secure to live (Access to settled housing issues) ◾Making steps towards securing employment and financial independence (Access to training/education and employment issues) These represent some of the key elements any newly recognised refugee will need to address in order to establish themselves and begin rebuilding their lives in a new country. Support and Advice The Refugee Council is one of the leading charities in the UK offering support and advice to people who are seeking asylum. Practical support ◾Counselling and support from our Therapeutic Casework Team - including groups for women and children ◾Signposting to helpful services for asylum seekers by phone, in person or through our online resources directory ◾Destitution services on a drop in basis, providing advice, pastoral care and emergency provisions ◾Classes to help with learning English

Impact on target groups / Transferability potential

Promoter of the initiative

Name of organization / individual:

Country: United Kingdom

Website: www.refugeecouncil.org.uk

Contacts: The Refugee Council PO Box 68614 London E15 9DQ Tel:020 7346 6700 Email:rij@refugeecouncil.org.uk