Jon Beech, Author at Leeds Asylum Seekers' Support Network

New Mental Health Resources from LASSN

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Jon Beech2025-08-19T17:16:22+01:0023rd June, 2025|

We know that supporting people from different countries and backgrounds can sometimes feel a bit uncertain — especially when you're not sure what someone might have experienced before arriving here, or how that might affect how they’re feeling now. To help, we’ve put together some new mental health guides. They give a bit of background about what people from different countries may have been through, how this can affect mental health, and a few simple, practical ways you can offer support as a volunteer. Of course, every person’s story is different — but we hope these guides will help you feel a little more confident and better equipped when these conversations come up. The guides we’ve produced so far cover: Afghanistan Eritrea Iran Iraq Yemen Vietnam Mental Health Guides Click here to see the Guides We’ll keep adding to these resources as we go — so if there’s a country or topic you’d find helpful, please let us know. We already have plans to produce some for the Democratic Republic of Congo and Hong Kong

#RefugeeWeek2025 with LASSN: Community as a Superpower

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Jon Beech2025-08-18T10:39:47+01:0010th June, 2025|

Refugee Week (17–23 June 2025) is nearly here, and LASSN is celebrating with a vibrant series of events across Leeds. This year’s theme — “Community as a Superpower” — is a powerful reminder of the strength we find when we come together. From film and football to digital tools for new arrivals, we’re inviting everyone to take part, connect, and celebrate the power of welcome. A full programme of events can be found here 🎬 LASSN x RETAS Present: “We Dare to Dream” Film Screening & Panel Discussion When: Wednesday 18 June, 6:30 pm Where: Hyde Park Picture House, Leeds, LS6 1JD Tickets: Book via Hyde Park Picture House What to Expect: A special screening of We Dare to Dream, the powerful documentary following the Refugee Olympic Team’s journey to the Tokyo Games, followed by a panel of speakers with lived experience of seeking sanctuary. 🎥 LASSN Refugee Week Short Film Festival Refugee Week, Short Film Festival – Leeds Asylum Seeker Support Network (LASSN) When: Thursday 19 June, 6:00 pm–9:00 pm) Where: Archive, 94 Kirkstall Road, Leeds, LS3 1HD Tickets: Suggested donation £5–£10. No need to book in advance, but if you want to book via Eventbrite:(If you can’t pay the Eventbrite fee, email [email protected] for alternative arrangements.) What to Expect: Two programmes of short films—refugee-led stories from around the world—offering deep insight into journeys of hardship, hope, and humanity. ⚽ Refugee World Cup 2025 When: Saturday 21st June, 12:30 pm–5:00 pm Where: Thomas Danby Sports Centre, Roundhay Road, Leeds, LS7 3BG What to Expect: A fun, free 7-a-side tournament bringing together refugee community organisations, local agencies, and supporters. Teams play for pride, families enjoy entertainment, and everyone shares in the joy of community sport. 🌐 NewToLeeds.org Relaunches A Fresh, Friendly Guide for NewcomersWe’re delighted to announce the fourth edition of NewToLeeds.org, fully rewritten and redesigned to help migrants settle into life in Leeds. Highlights: Entry Level 1 English with emojis and icons Instant translation into 140+ languages 1,800+ verified links (last-reviewed dates visible) Get Involved! Whether you’re moved by film, united on the pitch, or sharing a vital newcomer’s guide, there’s a place for you in Refugee Week 2025. Let’s show how community truly is a superpower. #RefugeeWeek2025 #CommunityAsASuperpower #LASSN #WelcomeLeeds

We’ve opened a Donations Shop

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Jon Beech2025-08-19T17:07:11+01:009th June, 2025|

At LASSN, we’re fortunate to receive support from big funders like the National Lottery and the Leeds Building Society Foundation — but it’s the generosity of everyday donors that truly keeps us going. It’s those smaller, regular contributions that help us bridge funding gaps and take bold steps. In fact, Grace House, Eva’s House, and Kay House all began because individuals believed in our work enough to invest in it. That’s why we’ve launched our new Donation Shop — a space where you can see the real impact of your giving and understand what everyday support really costs. If you’re curious about the kind of work we do, take a look. And if you have a little to spare, please consider donating. Every pound helps us support, empower, and welcome refugees and asylum seekers in Leeds — and helps make tomorrow better than today. LASSN Donation Shop

Friends of LASSN Winter 2024

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Jon Beech2025-08-12T16:21:08+01:0018th December, 2024|

We're excited to share the Winter edition of our Friends of LASSN newsletter. This edition highlights the incredible impact of our volunteers and celebrates the achievements of the refugees and asylum seekers we support. Friends of LASSN Winter 2024 newsletter. Or the same newsletter in PDF format. Thank you so much for your ongoing support of LASSN, and most importantly, for the compassion you show to refugees, asylum seekers, and other migrants in need across Leeds. Your kindness makes a real difference.

Friends of LASSN – Autumn 2024

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Jon Beech2025-08-12T16:20:40+01:0015th November, 2024|

As we enter the closing months of 2024 we are delighted to bring you this edition of Friends of LASSN, which shows the impact our volunteers make, and the achievements of the refugees and asylum seekers we support. Link to Your Friends of LASSN Autumn 2024 Link to Your Friends of LASSN winter update 2024 pdf Thank you for your continued support for LASSN, and most importantly of all, for the support you show to the refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants at risk in Leeds.

LASSN is now a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

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Jon Beech2025-08-19T17:02:57+01:0016th September, 2024|

We're delighted to announce that LASSN has successfully converted to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Association style), or CIO for short Our Members voted for this change at our AGM in January 24 and (after a few hiccups with the paperwork that required another vote at an EGM in August 24) the Charity Commission have finally approved our application. What does this mean for LASSN? On a day-to-day level, very little changes. Our Mission and purpose remain exactly the same. We retain our charitable status and we even keep the same Charity Number. Our banking details remain the same, and all the Gift Aid declarations made by our donors and supporters still apply. The main differences are we are no longer registered with Companies House, which means we are now regulated exclusively by the Charity Commission. This means we only have to file one set of accounts, and update one lot of records when things change (eg when Trustees resign). our Constitution is completely up-to-date, and our governance procedures are clearer and less open to interpretation. Consequently, our original 15 page Constitution has now become a 25 page document. If you'd like to read more about the implications of this change, here's a paper we presented to Trustees as they were deciding if they should recommend the change to Members. Get involved LASSN needs Trustees from a wide range of backgrounds, to make sure we have the right balance of decision makers. We particularly want to recruit Trustees from ethnically diverse communities. Although most of the folks we work alongside are from racialised communities, most of our Trustees are not. We want more Trustees to be drawn from the diverse communities we serve, or to have direct experience of migration to the UK. Younger Trustees. The average age of Trustees is currently 57, and we'd love to get some younger folks involved in how we run things. If you'd like to find out more about what being a Trustee at LASSN involves, and the support and training we can provide, please look at our Trustee Information pack, or contact our Director, Jon Beech [email protected] for an informal chat.

The Immigration Act, Bank Accounts & Refugees – Training resources

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Jon Beech2025-08-12T11:03:22+01:0020th February, 2017|Tags: asylum seekers, banking, refugees|

Opening a bank account can be difficult - if not impossible - for many refugees and asylum seekers. The Immigration Act and new European Anti Money Laundering directives are going to make this even harder. This short course was written to help people who support refugees and asylum seekers to understand more about why this is, and to provide some practical steps to help them. You can download all the materials from here

Safeguarding at LASSN

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Jon Beech2025-08-12T14:40:16+01:006th November, 2016|Tags: safeguarding|

How LASSN tries to help everyone to remain safe and well when working or volunteering with us. Volunteering is a key part of how we reduce the risks in people's lives by increasing their connections, building confidence, and giving them choices. We're keen to support our volunteers' efforts with clear guidance and processes which support your work. Each year, we review our existing policies to ensure they are up-to-date and in line with best practice. Here's a summary of how we do this We have a combined Safeguarding and Adults Policy (updated May 24) based on Local arrangements and good practice. We produce Staying Safe Summaries, which detail how we keep everyone safe in each of our projects: English at Home, Hosting and Houses, Welcome and Connect and all staff and volunteers are trained in these during their induction, and refreshed throughout their time at LASSN. We have a thorough recruitment and selection process for all paid Staff and Volunteers, which includes background checks and taking up references. You can find a detailed explanation of why we seek Basic Disclosures on staff and volunteers here. We have developed Volunteer Social Media Guidelines and a Volunteer Problem Solving Procedure to try and reduce the potential for online harm and to help volunteers know how we'll address any difficulties they may experience. Staff and trustees are pleased with these policies, which we hope will help keep LASSN a safe place to volunteer and reassure the people we support of our commitment to everyone's welfare and security. All of the documents referred to on this page can also be found in the Volunteer Information Pack.

New resources for Young People

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Jon Beech2025-08-11T17:31:51+01:0028th October, 2016|Tags: children, young people|

There are loads of online resources aimed at young people, to help them to understand more about refugees, asylum seekers, and what they can do to help. We've selected a few of the resources we've found most helpful - books, websites, and films - to help young people find out more for themselves. You can find these at https://lassn.org.uk/resources-for-young-people/ along with downloadable resources for parents and teachers. And of course, if we've missed off your favourite - please let us know, by emailing [email protected]

jonbeech

About Jon Beech

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