|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Refugee & Asylum Seekers Advice Project
Background
Under
the new dispersal arrangements, asylum seekers given refugee status or
exceptional leave to remain (ELR) status have 14 days to leave NASS supported
accommodation and make their own arrangements for resettlement.
Most refugees
have very little support in their early stages of resettlement in Leicester
as they have barriers such as language, housing, education and employment.
In order to tackle these problems the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Project
has been created.This Project
is supported by a grant from the European Refugee Fund.
Aim
The
intention of this project is to provide a starting point for supporting
the needs of refugees and asylum seekers. The Projects aims and objectives
are to:
- Establish a support service, which provides advice and information for refugees to successfully integrate into the City.
- Engage in community development/capacity building work to enable maximum benefit to refugees and local residents.
- Develop a long-term integration strategy for refugees, in partnership with local residents, agencies and other stakeholders.
- Identify housing and other social needs of refugees.
- Act as a key mechanism in assisting refugees into training and employment.
- Promote the Project and ensure that local organisations and refugees are fully involved.
- Ensure that refugees and asylum seekers in Leicester receive their correct benefit entitlements and increase their awareness of other key issues.
Our Service
The
Project offers an advice service that responds to the different needs of
refugees and asylum seekers. Two Welfare Rights Officers have been appointed
to give advice and assistance to refugees and asylum seekers in respect
of benefits entitlements and applications. In addition we have a Refugee
Resettlement Officer who can give advice and assistance to refugees who
have been served with their 14 day 'notice to quit' NASS accommodation
and develop a support service for refugees for successful integration into
the community.
How to contact us
Refugee
& Asylum Seekers Project
3rd
Floor- Epic House
Lower
Hill Street
Leicester
LE1
3SH
Tel: (0116)
299 9807/8
Fax:
(0116) 299 9801