The Support Service programme provides one-to-one casework to help refugees and people seeking asylum in London overcome practical challenges in order to build a stable and happy life in the UK. The Support Service plays a crucial role in providing emotional support, advice, and advocacy by facilitating access to:
- Legal support: navigation of immigration system and securing legal representation
- Healthcare: securing a GP, free prescriptions, and dental care
- Housing: emergency and long term housing, e.g. shelters, hostels, refugee hosting
- Counselling: specialist trauma counselling through partners, such as Room to Heal
- Foodbanks: connection to local foodbanks and programmes to end hunger
- Education: applying for college and scholarships
- Employment: creating CVs and applying for jobs
Angele’s Story
Angele had her first claim for asylum refused. A friend introduced her to us, telling her it was a safe place which could be trusted and which would help. ‘I just wanted to cry and cry. Before this I had been homeless and scraping around for food because I had no benefits or support. But they help me.’ We worked with Angele over several years, helping her find a refugee hosting family and she eventually gained refugee status in 2020.
Across the last academic year we had:
The Support Service works with many partner organisations. For example, we support people into housing through Housing Justice, Room for Refugees, C4WS, London Catholic Worker and others. Meanwhile we help people access counselling through Room to Heal, Freedom from Torture, and Helen Bamber.
The Centre is like a second home. You can relax, have something to eat, make friends. The people there help you like a family, they don’t leave you halfway. They try to help you until they complete your issue.
Alan
Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants 