Volunteer Befrienders build trust by forging a relationship by meeting up for a few hours each week for at least six months. Asylum seekers and refugees typically need help with settling in Leeds, integrating into the local community, accessing services and overcoming emotional stress caused by past trauma and the asylum process. Read more about … Continue reading
Many refugees and asylum seekers will experience homelessness at some point. The Grace Hosting project supports people in this situation. Grace Hosting volunteers provide a hot meal and a safe place to sleep for people who have nowhere else to turn. Read more about the Grace Hosting project The Grace Hosting project was previously known as Short … Continue reading
Leeds Press Gang want to make a real difference and help asylum seekers and refugees get their voices heard. We work with people with incredible experiences both in their country of origin and here in the UK. We know that people who listen to their stories are often changed by what they hear. We also … Continue reading
English at Home helps people learn a skill that is vital for their everyday life. We support refugees and asylum seekers who, for reasons of caring, disability or gender, are unable to attend classes. Our project develops students’ language skills so that they can cope with everyday life and become empowered. We are committed to … Continue reading
We are inviting all our supporters, volunteers and clients to join us for a picnic and/or a day exploring Leeds, making new friends and raising funds to continue our vital work supporting asylum seekers and refugees. All you need to know The picnic will be at 5pm in Park Square Leeds. Let’s hope for better … Continue reading
HACT, the Housing Associations Charitable Trust, runs an employability programme called Reach In, restricted to refugees and asylum seekers with permission to work. Reach In offers volunteer work placements within housing associations and Chartered Institute of Housing level 2 certificate in housing practise. They have been running the programme for more than 30 volunteers in … Continue reading
Thursday 23 May – Manuel Friday 24 May – Fikir Monday 27 May – Bank Holiday (closed) Tuesday 28 May – Janice Wednesday 29 May – Sara (from 11.30am)
Scar Tissue - a debut novel by David Skivington (LASSN volunteer) While the story of Scar Tissue is purely fictional, the issues of human trafficking and/or caste inequality raised are all too real. In a single phone call, Rachel’s entire life unravels. Transported to a dingy basement in Kolkata to identify the body of her murdered … Continue reading
Reach In Flyer Wave 4
To Walk in your Shoes, A unique collaboration of Verbatim theatre and digital photography exploring the lives of destitute asylum seekers A unique collaboration of Verbatim theatre and digital photography ‘To Walk in Your Shoes’ explores the strength and resilience of the human spirit and challenges the myths and untruths perpetuated by the media about … Continue reading
Meet and Travel Together aims to reduce stress and anxiety for asylum seekers needing to make their way to Waterside Court in Kirkstall, Leeds, for a Home Office Interview, an asylum case hearing at Phoenix House in Thornbury, Bradford, or a biometric scan at one of the post offices in Leeds. For our service users, … Continue reading
At 1.30pm today, Grace Phiri, a trustee of Leeds Asylum Seekers Support Network will ask the 99 councillors of Leeds City Council to take action to prevent destitution among asylum seekers in Leeds. Grace will speak of the struggles of surviving on little over £5 per day and of the even more devastating affects for … Continue reading
Andrew Rathbone, LASSN volunteer and treasurer has challenged himself to raise some much needed money for LASSN. At the advanced age of 60, I have been enticed by a “friend” into entering the Etape Caledonia on 12th May. This is an 81 mile cycle race (with a total of 6,400 feet of ascent, apparently) and the aim is … Continue reading
98% of our volunteers say that the support they get from LASSN is JUST RIGHT. New volunteers – take note and sign up NOW to join our next volunteer training session on 20th and 27th April.
http://iona.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2013/03/12-myths.pdf Unity in the Community say: The papers say Britain is under siege from asylum seekers. Asylum seekers are blamed for higher taxes, crime, rising house prices, hospital waiting lists, cheap labour, terrorism and AIDS. Mainstream politicians either agree or refuse to challenge these stories. There are two possible reasons for this press campaign. Only one of them can be … Continue reading
LASSN’s next volunteer training is on Saturdays 20th and 27th April 2013. Please click on the relevant project you are interested in, found on the left hand side of this page. This contains information about the project and how to contact the relevant member of staff. Thank you.
This little animation reminds us that it only takes one Simple Act to change the way we see refugees, and ourselves.
Royal College of GPs – “all vulnerable migrants, including refugees and asylum seekers, have the right to be fully registered with a NHS general practice.” It also noted that GPs “have the discretion to register refused asylum seekers, to the same extent that they have this discretion to registering any patient, irrespective of residency status … Continue reading
We’re looking to enhance our charity trustee board by co-opting someone experienced in PR/marketing to support and advise on our press/media work. Commitment required: bi-monthly meetings, annual strategy days and providing additional one-to-one support to staff/volunteers.
We have a good relationship together – and I probably gain as much out of the friendship as he does – maybe more! Thanks for making the link, and thank you LASSN for giving me such a rewarding activity in retirement. Peter, volunteer befriender, January 2013
Short award-winning documentary. Winner of Yorkshire’s Newspaper of the Year O2 Think Big Media award.
UK Border Agency Yorkshire and the Humber: partnership and engagement update: September-October 2012 UKBA partners update includes policy updates and contact details for UKBA in the region UK Border Agency Partner News: Bi-monthly update from UK Border Agency with information on UKBA’s work, recent achievements and forthcoming activities. Current issue and back copies are here: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/workingwithus/ukba-news/
Latest edition – One Planet Leeds Spring 2013 In this issue: PAFRAS 10 year anniversary Interview with Isa Turkoglu on the Just Play Football Programme Refugee Boy by Benjamin Zephaniah Amnesty International and STAR Sleep Out Leeds Kirkgate Market and the Arrival of Leeds Needs What is Your Map Route of Leeds? The Debt Free … Continue reading
A bill proposing that gay and lesbian Ugandans be executed is coming back to Uganda’s Parliament – it could pass at any moment. Worse yet, rumours are suggesting that the bill has been changed in committee and we may not have a chance to see it before it is rushed through. President Museveni once promised … Continue reading