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Support & Advice View Map
Since the introduction of the Immigration and Asylum act in 1999 there has been a steady growth in services for asylum seekers, refugees and migrant workers in Wales. This section of the website is divided into general support and legal support and gives an overview of the public, private and voluntary sector bodies involved in developing and providing services for these groups in Swansea.
General Support
The Welsh Refugee Council
The Welsh Refugee Council is the lead voluntary sector agency working with refugees and asylum seekers in Wales. Our vision is to empower refugees and asylum seekers to rebuild their lives. If you need to see somebody in the Welsh Refugee council you will need to make an appointment by phone: 01792 301729
3rd Floor Grove House, Grove Place, Swansea SA1 5DF
Website: http://www.welshrefugeecouncil.com
SBASSG- Swansea Bay Asylum Seekers Support GroupWho are we?
- A large group of asylum seekers refugees and locals working together.
- Locals started the organisation in 2000 when we heard that asylum seekers were coming to Swansea. They were quickly joined by asylum seekers and refugees who have helped build the organisation.
- We are a now a huge community of friends who support each other and want to support new asylum seekers are they arrive
What do we do?
- Drop-ins every Friday and Saturday. Come and meet people from all over the world, practise your English, find out what is happening in Swansea. Tea, coffee, fruit and biscuits. Play workers to look after the children
- Informal practical help and information. E.g. advice if you are afraid of being deported. If you don’t know where to go for help we can show you the way
- Events, parties, outings and meetings about asylum
- We publish refugee writing – if you have a story to tell or a poem, then we can use it to raise money for asylum seekers. If you are an asylum seeker or refugee we can give you a copy
- Talks and hold meetings to tell people about asylum issues and to raise money and support. We need asylum seekers and refugees to help with this. Training given
- We work with the newspapers and help them tell the public the facts about asylum
- We work with others to improve conditions for asylum seekers and refugees
Where are we? Our Friday drop-in is between 5 and 7pm. The basement of Brunswick Church, on St Helen’s Rd, next to the Exotica supermarket. See photo on the right Our Saturday drop-in is between 2 and 5 at St Phillips Community Centre, Bathurst St, (Opposite Tescos and the Quadrant bus station. (A big white building, see photo on the right) We are a group of volunteers and friends with very little funding. We can help you find your way around Swansea, and will give you a warm welcome.
Website: http://www.hafan.org/info.htm
Come along to one of our drop-ins, you'll be welcome!
Brunswick Methodist Church, St. Helens Rd, Swansea, SA1 3UN
01792 232867
St Phillips Community Centre, Bathurst Street, Swansea, SA1 3SA
01792 641027
Swansea Bay Racial Equality Council
The Swansea Bay Racial Equality Council is a voluntary organisation, and a registered charity. The council established its office in 1990 and serves the areas of Swansea, Neath, and Port Talbot. The broad objectives of the council are to work towards the elimination of Racial Discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and good relations between persons of different racial groups.
The council provides a crucial service by promoting equality, and enhancing good relations by bringing all communities together. It supports victims of racial discrimination and racial harassment
Website: http://www.sbrec.ukf.net
Grove House, 3 Grove Pl, Swansea, SA1 5DF
01792 457035
DPIA Displaced People in Action
Displaced People in Action (DPIA) involves asylum seekers and refugees in their new communities, in a voluntary capacity, giving them meaningful and interesting uses of their time. It assesses their existing skills and allows them to learn new ones, offering opportunities for training, activities, educational visits, and special projects, working in partnership with existing voluntary organisations. It achieves these goals by organising activities and projects on an on-going basis.
The objectives of DPIA are:
- The relief of people who are displaced by reason of hostilities, persecution, oppression, discrimination, and natural disasters or other like causes and their families and dependants who are in conditions of need, hardship and distress
- The advancement of their education.
- The provision of facilities for recreation and other leisure time occupations in the interests of social welfare in order to improve their conditions of life
Website: http://www.in4refugees.co.uk/english/su01.htm
Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees (ICAR)Founded by Kirsteen Tait in 2000, and initially based at King's College London, the Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees in the UK (ICAR ) is an academic research and information organisation situated in the School of Social Sciences at City University. ICAR aims to:
- collect and make available independent information on asylum in the UK;
- undertake research, publish and teach on UK asylum and global refugee issues;
- explore ways of improving the lives of refugees and asylum seekers in the UK;
- generate new thinking on asylum and raise the level of public debate and;
- provide consultancy expertise to government, practitioners, funders and community organisations.
Contact: Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees (ICAR), School of Social Sciences, City University, Northampton Square, London. EC1V 0HB
Tel: 020 7040 4596
Email:
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www.icar.org.uk
The UK Border AgencyThey are responsible for processing all claims for asylum and asylum support made in the United Kingdom. They determine applications from asylum seekers, granting 5 years Leave to Remain (LTR) to those whose fears of persecution, integrating them swiftly into our society. They also provide accommodation and subsistence support to destitute asylum seekers while they consider their claims. Removing people from the UK when their claims fail is one of their priorities.
Website http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/
General Support for Women Only
Swansea Women's Asylum Support Group
The Swansea Women's Asylum Support Group has been established to provide support and advice to women asylum seekers and refugees living in the Swansea Bay area. The email discussion group is a mechanism for sharing information and campaigning ideas among all of those working with refugees and asylum seekers living in and around Swansea, and for networking with those living in other parts of Wales and the UK.
The group meets on a monthly basis (every second Saturdays from 10am to 2pm) to share information and discuss ways of campaigning and lobbying for gender issues to be taken into account in the asylum determination process and beyond. Lunch, transport and childcare provided.
Address: Swansea Women Centre: 25, Mansel Street next door to MEWN.
Website: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/swanseawomen/
useful link: http://www.imkaan.org.uk/pub/
Swansea Women's Centre
Swansea Women's Centre say "We provide informal and formal learning opportunities, woman-related resources and information, short-term support and sign-posting in a safe, supportive women-only environment. We also support other women's groups in the area by offering low cost or free roomhire, office space and equipment. We have several projects running at present but our commitment to user involvement means we are always open to new suggestions about what we should be providing. Please feel free to contact us if you want to be involved at any level in service development." Women asylum seekers and refugees are welcome to attend their courses.
25 Mansel Street Swansea SA1 5SQ
Tel: (01792) 41 11 19
e-mail:
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http://www.smwrtc.org.uk/
MEWN- Minority Ethnic Women's Network Swansea
The aim of MEWN Swansea is to provide support for black and ethnic minority women and to develop an agenda of action to counter the barriers to form full participation in the Welsh work force and the community.
The Objectives of MEWN Swansea are:
- To set up multicultural women's centre.
- To empower women from black and ethnic communities and enable them to develop their own initiatives and participate fully in mainstream services.
- To provide a regular drop in service for black and ethnic minority women.
- To establish a training unit for black and ethnic minority women which offers courses that will help the women to get back into the work force.
24 Mansel St, Swansea, SA1 5SQ
Tel: 01792 467722
BAWSO
BAWSO supports "Black and Minority Ethnic women and children, who are, or are about to be made homeless through a threat of domestic abuse, suffering or fleeing domestic abuse in Wales. It is affiliated to Welsh Women's Aid and works closely and in partnership with other women's aid organisations. Since opening its doors, BAWSO has supported thousands of women and children to rebuild their lives away from fear and abuse"
63 Mansel Street
Swansea
SA1 5SQ
Tel: 01792 642003
Fax: 01792 645207
24 Hour Help-line 0800-731 8147
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www.bawso.org.uk
The Welsh Rugby Union & police have joined up in a campaign to stop domestic abuse http://www.walestacklesdomesticabuse.com/
Support for Specific Groups or Interests
Swansea Latin American Association (ALAS)ALAS is a group to bring together all Latin Americans and all those in Swansea and surrounding areas interested in Latin American affairs. The main aims are to provide mutual support and to raise awareness of Latin America's cultural richness. Contact: Patricia Rodríguez-Martínez (the Vice-chairperson / Event Organiser)
Tel: 01792 - 529425
E-mail:
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http://www.alas.org.uk/
Black Environment Network (BEN)
BEN is established to promote equality of opportunity with respect to ethnic communities in the preservation protection and development of the environment. BEN proposes there is no such thing as a pure environmental project - a so called pure environmental projects is one which has rejected its social and cultural context. BEN therefore works to integrate social, cultural and environmental concerns in the context of sustainable development. In order to achieve this they work across diverse sectors. Our current themes integrate the areas of natural environment, the built environment, heritage, social justice, health and housing. Address: BEN @ The Environment Centre, The Old Telephone Exchange, Pier Street, Swansea SA1 1RY.
Tel/Fax: 01792 462 990
Tel 01792 468 268
Emails: Mike Cherry:
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; Kathryn Tate:
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; Fawzia Haq:
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; Amina Ali:
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Black Voluntary Sector Network (BVSNW)
BVSNW is an umbrella organisation that actively represents, supports and promotes the interests of the BME communities and the BME voluntary sector in Wales. For more information, have a look on the BVSNW website.
Address: Crichton House, 11-12 Mount Stuart Square. Cardiff. CF10 5EE.
Tel: 029 20450068
Fax: 029 20440186
Email:
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The Bike Project
This is a subsidiary of BEN and is helping to reduce wastage by re-cycling the waste bikes. The Re-Cycle scheme takes in donations of unwanted bikes which are refurbished, repaired and supplied cheaply to low waged people, asylum seekers and refugees. A team of trained re-cycle volunteers check all bikes for safety, and make any necessary repairs. About 90% of bikes can be rescued, and many are in mint condition. The project offers a work-for-a-bike scheme which asks you to volunteer for two days to earn a bicycle of your choice. This is a good way to meet new people, to learn about bikes and to even get a bike for a good price. Open: Mondays, Tuesdays 9:30am to 4.30 pm; Wednesdays 9:30am to 1pm.
Contact: Ian Williams
Address: Catherine Street (alley between number 19A and the Mill Pub), off Bryn y Mor Road, Swansea
Tel: 078 47 47 48 80
Email:
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The Swansea Chinese Community Co-op
The Swansea Chinese Community Centre aims to assist the Chinese people to obtain their entitled welfare and benefits; to provide leisure activities; to promote Chinese traditions and culture; to advocate social harmony and to advance peaceful and friendly relationship between Chinese and other ethnic groups and to organise educational and cutural events.
Address: Swansea Chinese Community Co-op Centre, 2nd Floor, 37-38 The Kingsway, Swansea. SA1 5LF
Tel: 01792 469919
Email:
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Charity Number - 1093994 Company Number - 4335351
AWEMA: All Wales Ethnic Minority Association
Awema aims to promote equality and diversity for the benefit of the public, in particular, but not exclusively in Wales by:
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Developing the capacity and skills of members of ethnic minority communities in such a way that they are better able to identify, and help meet their needs and participate more fully in society.
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Advancing education in equality and diversity whether by teaching or producing material and,
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Raising awareness of all aspects of discrimination in society on the basis of race or ethnic minority status by publications, public advocacy and other means of communication.
it also aims to promote racial harmony for the public benefit, in particular but not exclusively in Wales, by promoting good race relations and the elimination of racial discrimination.
Address: AWEMA Swansea, Orchard Business Centre, Suite 3-4, Second Floor, 9 Orchard Street, Swansea. SA1 5AS.
Tel: 029 2066 4213
Email:
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Website: www.awema.org.uk
Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations (CEMVO)
CEMVO Wales was established in May 2004, with the main aim of mapping out the ethnic minority voluntary and community sector in Wales, identifying its needs and responding to them. Following the establishment the CEMVO office in Swansea in August 2004, CEMVO Wales focused on recruiting staff for the Wales Capacity Building Programme, on consolidating partnerships, and on continuing to expand the network of ethnic minority voluntary organisations which CEMVO Wales serves. This process continued into 2005 and due to the growth in staff, CEMVO Wales moved into its own Building towards the end of 2006 and now houses various projects and groups within its premises.
Website: CEMVO Wales
Director: Shereen Williams
Address: 60 Walters Road, Swansea SA1 5PZ
Email:
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Tel: 01792-463036 - Fax: 01792-483820
The African Community Centre
The African Community Centre welcomes all people, especially Africans born in Africa or in the diaspora (e.g. African Caribbean, British African etc.) who are currently resident in Wales. We aim to provide advice and support to enable you to better settle into your local community. The African Community Centre is committed to breaking down barriers, promoting participation and community cohesion as well as facilitating a better understanding of African culture within our local community. They aim to improve the lives of all Africans by bridging social, educational and cultural gaps through training and participation.
African Community Centre Swansea
60 Walter Road
Swansea
SA1 5PZ
01792 470298
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The African Friendship Association (AFAS)
The African Friendship Association is a UK constitute Voluntary organisation formed in 2003 and developed to provide opportunities for Africans and other Black minority Ethnic groups to get together, to recognise similarities and support each other, especially refugees and asylum seekers of African origin who are newcomers to Swansea, Wales and UK.
Address: Denis Ndomba c/o 3rd Floor, 10 st. Helens Road. Swansea SA1 4AW
Tel: 01792 476812
Email:
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Council for Assisting Refugee Academics(CARA)
CARA's core work revolves around twice yearly refugee-academic grant giving rounds (February and August) and a higher-education information signposting service. These two activities underpin CARA's primary objective to support refugee academics in their effort to rebuild shattered academic and/or professional careers within the UK and ensure that their specialist knowledge and abilities continue to benefit mankind.
Contact (Swansea): Latefa Guemar
Tel: 078 09710175
Email
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Contact (London): CARA, London South Bank University, Technopark, 90 London Road, London, UK
Tel: +44 (0)207 021 0880
Fax: +44 (0)207 021 0881
Email:
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Website: www.academic-refugees.org
SMYLe
SMYLe, the abbreviation for Swansea Muslim Youth League was established at the birth of the millennium in 2000 to unite and cater for the needs of young Muslims living in Swansea regardless of their race, cultural background or gender. They are committed to work towards the betterment of the local Welsh society by the promotion of Islamic values and teachings. With the grace of Allah (God) they have survived these challenging years and remain the most diverse Muslim youth group in Wales. For information on local gatherings have a look on the Islam Wales website
The Indian Society of the South West WalesThis society aims to promote Indian culture, traditions and values amongst the Indian community, particularly the youth, so as to inculcate a sense of pride in our roots.To initiate and develop cultural, social, educational programmes and activities for the South West Wales region.
Website: http://www.indiansociety-wales.org.uk/
Contact: Dr Dwijen Baruah, 45 St Andrews Close, Mayals, Swansea SA3 5DZ
The Equality and Human Rights Commission Wales
The Equality and Human Rights Commission in Wales champions equality and human rights for all, working to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality, protect human rights and to build good relations, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to participate in society.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission helpline is there to give information and guidance on discrimination and human rights issues.
Website: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/wales
Contact:
Equality and Human Rights Commission Helpline Wales
Freepost RRLR-UEYB-UYZL
3rd Floor
3 Callaghan Square
Cardiff
CF10 5BT
tel: 0845 604 881
Legal Support
IAS Immigration Advisory Service
IAS is the leading charity giving legal advice and representation services to immigrants and asylum seekers free to those who are eligible. They run a surgery at Swansea Bay Racial Quality Council (Grove House, Grove Place, Swansea SA1 5DF ) every day. Please call them direct to make an appointment, on 01792 464 142, or if you cannot get through try 029 2049 6662
For further information have a look on the following website: http://www.iasuk.org/C2B/document_tree/ViewADocument.asp?ID=324&CatID=49
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Swansea Citizen's Advice Bureau
Swansea Citizen's Advice Bureau offer a free, confidential and impartial service; they can advise you on all aspects of the law, such as your rights and responsibilities.
They offer you comprehensive information; and the advice service that they provide is available to everyone; regardless of their race, religious beliefs, disability, health status, sexuality, gender and language.
PLease notes that CAB has moved now to a New Address
Swansea Citizens Advice Bureau
Llys Glas, Pleasant Street Swansea SA1 5DS Tel: 01792 544479
Website: http://www.swanseacab.org.uk/
NCADCThe National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns (NCADC) is a voluntary organisation, which provides practical help and advice to people facing deportation on how to launch and run anti-deportation campaigns. They provide objective and confidential advice on all pros and cons of campaigning work and if you decide that campaigning is right for you they can help you with designing leaflets, organising your first campaign meetings, writing letters and petitions etc. NCADC also provides advice about using the media and they help promote public events about anti-deportation issues organised by each campaign.
Website: http://www.ncadc.org.uk
Other Important websites for support and advice
Information for Refugees The purpose of this website is to pass on experience and hard to find information about your rights as a resident of the United Kingdom. The information on this website is the direct result of several individuals realising that the majority of information made available on websites is either too complex to understand or somewhat out of date.
Website: http://www.in4refugees.co.uk/english/index.htm
The International Organisation for Migration
The IOM Bristol Office covers Wales and the South-West, we provide information on our two Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programmes and support to clients that have applied to the programmes. The Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP) is for asylum seekers and the Assisted Voluntary Return for Irregular Migrants (AVRIM) programme is for non EU nationals that have overstayed their visas or were smuggled or trafficked into the UK. We are an independent organisation and all information that we provide to potential clients is free and completely confidential. We do not try to ‘sell’ AVR or persuade anyone one way or the other and we do not give legal advice, our aim is to empower asylum seekers and illegal migrants by providing them with the information on our programmes that they need to make an informed decision about whether or not to apply. This information is provided in conjunction with the Welsh Refugee Council offices in Newport, Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham and the Choices programme run by Refugee Action as part of the VARRP. The WRC display our leaflets and signpost their clients who would like to know more about the option of AVR. Full details and application forms are available on the IOM’s UK website: www.iomlondon.org.
The Housing Services UnitThis webpage provides further information on the Housing Services Unit. The Strategic Directorate of Social Services and Housing covers Social Services, Housing and Corporate Building Services. The Housing Services Unit is currently organised into four service areas, each with a number of teams with specific responsibilities that collectively make up a comprehensive housing service.
Website: http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1043
Age ConcernAge Concern's mission is to promote the well-being of all older people and to help make later life a fulfilling and enjoyable experience. Their aims are to:
- Prevent poverty and maximize income in retirement
- Promote age equality and enable older people to make full contributions to our economy, society and neighbourhoods.
- Maximize healthy life expectancy and promote health, independence and wellbeing for all older people
- Achieve greater social inclusion of the most disadvantaged older people and challenge the causes of exclusion
- Achieve a step change in effectiveness and efficiency, in which a crucial element will be a greater focus on older people as customers and contributors to all that we do.
Website http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/
Info-nationInfo-Nation offers ‘Information, advice and support for 11-25 year olds in Swansea’, this includes dealing with information enquiries on everything from health, education, law and rights to sport and leisure, housing, family and relationships and the environment. They also offer free and confidential services including: internet access, digital IT packages, sexual health clinic, GUM clinic, condom scheme, healthy living and drugs advice, quit smoking and counselling services. Open: Tues – Fri 12-5.30pm and Sat 12-5pm
Address: Info-Nation, 47 The Kingsway, Swansea. SA1 5HG. (located next to Café Mambo in the city centre)
Tel. 01792 484010 Text: 07930 328 607
Email:
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Website: www.info-nation.org.uk
Refugee Voice Wales
Refugee Voice Wales (RVW) is an umbrella organisation that represents Refugee Community Organisations (RCOs) in Wales. The organisation was established to empower refugees and asylum seekers, creating a platform for the voices of these often vulnerable groups to be heard. It was formed by a group of Refugee Community Organisation leaders who are committed to and passionate about helping refugees and asylum seekers in Wales.
For more information on specific RCOs (i.e. Kurdish Welfare, Eritrean Association, Sudanese Welfare etc.) please contact: Pierrot Ngadi - Coordinator, Refugee Voice Wales. Address: 389 Newport Road, Cardiff CF24 1TP.
Telephone: 0044(0) 29 2048 9800 ext.117.
Email:
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Citizenship Information
The two main websites where you will find further information on Citizenship are: www.lifeintheuktest.gov.uk and http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/
Commission for Racial Equality Network
For more information have a look on the Commission for Racial Equality Network website
DiscoveryDiscovery is a registered charity based in Swansea university. It aims to
- Enrich the lives of disadvantaged people
- Challenge discrimination
- Provide support for disabled people in Swansea
If you want to find out how to join in the fun, what you can do and what's in it for you email
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Exiled Writers Ink The organisation aims to facilitate the wider dissemination of work by writers in exile and to ensure they have a platform.
- It aims to raise awareness of literature by writers in exile by organising events such as seminars, workshops, conferences, interactive performances and festivals.
- It aims to facilitate the publication of work by writers in exile including addressing translation issues.
- It aims to give a high profile to translators who enable the work of exiled writers to become accessible.
- It aims to develop literary creativity in the broadest sense within the refugee communities.
- It aims to work in an education context in schools, colleges etc.
- It aims to form links with other literary/arts groups.
- It aims to act as a pressure group against racism and the abuse of human rights worldwide.
- It aims to develop dialogue through literature.
For more information contact: EXILED WRITERS INK ! 31 Hallswelle Road, London NW11 0DH Telephone: 020 8458 1910 E-mail:
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