Refugee and asylum seeker information and signposting advice
Last updated: 19/04/2024
Gov.UK Visas and immigration
The Home Office is the Government department responsible for internal affairs and immigration control (permission to stay, citizenship, asylum) in England and Wales.
A guide for adults who have been granted asylum in England to access public services and make the most of the opportunities in the UK.
Read additional information on Support for asylum claimants and refugees
Apply for a GOV.UK Refugee Integration Loan if you're over 18 and you're either a refugee, you've been given humanitarian protection or you're the dependant of a refugee or someone who's been given humanitarian protection.
You can apply for a refugee integration loan to pay for:
- a rent deposit or rent
- household items
- education and training for work
Contact your local Jobcentre Plus before applying for this loan to see if you can get help with training, education, work, living or childcare costs - you may be able to get this help for free.
Local support in West Berkshire:
Citizens Advice West Berkshire
The things that Citizens Advice can help refugees with are:
Rights regarding benefits, housing, family members, work, education, medical treatment, travel, travel documents, nationality and applying for British Citizenship, money and debt problems etc, covering any issues that refugees might face in day to day life. Citizens Advice West Berkshire can also signpost to a wide variety of local organisations if the refugees have specific needs – eg Home Start, Reading and West Berkshire Carers Partnership.
Contact:
National Citizens Advice Telephone Adviceline
0800 144 8848 (freephone)
Citizens Advice West Berkshire
01635 516605 (costs as for a landline and is included in most inclusive packages)
0808 2787994 (freephone)
2nd Floor, Broadway House, 4-8 The Broadway, Newbury RG14 1BA
For opening hours see Citizens Advice West Berkshire website
Reading Refugee Support Group
The Reading Refugee Support Group offers support to both Reading and West Berkshire residents. It's vision is for an inclusive society where refugees and asylum-seekers of diverse cultural backgrounds are treated with respect; where their essential needs are met; where they can find access to their legal rights and where they are enabled to play a valuable role within the wider community.
The group also run English classes, children's homework club and participate and contribute to various cultural events throughout the year.
The group provide Advice and information, clothes and food distribution.
Visit the website for further information using the following link: Refugee Support Group - Berkshire's Refugee Charity
Contact: 01189 505356 Email: info@rrsg.org.uk
35-39 London Street, Reading RG1 4PS
National Help for Refugees:
British Red Cross
The Red Cross offers short-term support in a wide variety of ways to help refugees and asylum seekers adapt to life in a new country by:
- offering emergency provisions to those facing severe hardship
- facilitating access to essential services
- providing practical and emotional support
- giving expert advice on accessing whatever limited resources are available to them.
Red Cross also provide a Family Tracing Service to help restore contact between family members separated as a result of conflicts and disasters.
Contact: 0208 109 5029, Refugee Support and International Family Tracing Services, British Red Cross, Berkshire, 90 Eastern Avenue, Reading RG1 5SF.
Refugee Council
The Refugee Council works with refugees to help them build lives in the UK offering:
Contact: info@refugeecouncil.org.uk 0207 346 6700
The Children’s Society
The Children's Society is a children's charity which wants to create a society where children and young people are valued, respected and happy.
We are committed to helping vulnerable and disadvantaged young people, including safeguarding children in care and young runaways. We give a voice to disabled children, help young refugees to rebuild their lives and provide relief for young carers.
Contact:
For general enquiries: 0300 303 7000 Visit the webpage for further information.
The Children's Society, Whitecross Studios, 50 Banner Street, London EC1Y 8ST.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is the agency mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide.
Call: +41 22 739 8111
Migrant Helpline
Migrant Helpline is a non-government organisation that provides advice to asylum seekers and refugees, promotes awareness of asylum issues and works towards the integration of asylum seekers and refugees within the community.
Tel: Free 0808 8010 503 (line open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year)
Asylum Aid
Asylum Aid gives free legal advice and represents the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people seeking asylum in the UK in their asylum applications.
General enquiries: (020) 7354 9631 advice@asylumaid.org.uk
West Berkshire Council do not promote or endorse any of the services listed in this Directory. For more information on this please read our disclaimer.