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Keeping updated about what we do

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2018-11-09T13:54:33+00:0010th September, 2015|

We hope you're enjoying new website, which was launched earlier this year. The idea was to make it clearer, and easier to find things.  We have (amongst other things) tried to make it easier for people to find out about LASSN, our work, and our achievements increase the number of online resources for volunteers, make it simpler to volunteer with us and to claim expenses As if this weren't enough, we also have a Facebook page - which also explores themes of asylum,migration in a slightly more informal way and a Twitter account - which draws together updates LASSN, our Facebook page, and articles we post on the Leeds MultiAgency Meeting website and finally www.oneworldleeds.org - our multi-author blog with views and opinions of people in Leeds (and beyond) on issues around asylum and migration.

Our next themed social “Changes to Welfare Benefits”

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2018-11-09T13:41:16+00:0010th September, 2015|

Our next themed social will be on Wednesday 11th November 5.30pm - 7.30pm at Ebor Court. With recent drastic reductions in support rates to families. and serious talk of removing some asylum support completely from families it's important to keep abreast of what help is available and how to access it. Universal Credit is also due to be rolled out in Leeds from December 2015. The resources we've produced for previous socials on Trafficking, Mental Health, and Advocacy will give you an idea of the quality of information we produce. If you'd like to come along, please email [email protected] so we can make sure there's enough food to go around.

English at Home – Annual Review 2015

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2016-03-29T15:02:11+01:0010th September, 2015|

Catherine - the Volunteers Manager for English at Home has been working diligently to increase the numbers of people we can support to, and the results have been impressive. In her review of the last year, she describes a 25% increase in the number of hours tutoring offered to people who cannot attend english classes. As ESOL provision continues to shrink due to central government cuts, this work becomes more important than ever. Download a copy of her report here.

Leeds Changed for Good/AGM 2015

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2018-11-09T13:55:24+00:0010th September, 2015|

Our Annual General Meeting will take place at 6.15pm (for a 6.30pm start) on Friday 9th October at Headingley Heart Cafe, Bennet Road, Headingley, LS6 3HN and will last about 30 minutes. The AGM will immediately be followed by a public event: Changed for Good - an evening of discussion and story-telling which is also LASSN's contribution to the Headingley Festival of Ideas.  Leeds has been home to many refugees over the years.The legacy left by different waves of migration is a thriving economy and rich cultural heritage - from Marks and Sparks to the longest running carnival in Europe. Leeds has not always been a place of welcome or sanctuary - and 46 years after the death of David Oluwale, many refugees still find life in Leeds cold, brutal, and dangerous. We invite you to come and listen, and to share your perspective on how refugees have changed Leeds, or how life as a refugee in Leeds has changed you. We will be joined by refugees, volunteers, activists, academics, politicians and local residents BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE: Tickets are free, but they're also limited, so please book early.

Chair’s report to the LASSN Annual General Meeting, January 2015

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2015-02-11T22:41:43+00:0012th February, 2015|Tags: , , |

On 9th January 2015, LASSN held its Annual General Meeting, and said goodbye to Christine Brett, who had been on the board of Trustees for 6 years, and 5 as Chair. Here is a copy of her notes, for those who were unable to attend in person - which we post with thanks, appreciation and best wishes for the future LASSN Annual General Meeting, 9th January 2015  Chair’s Report This will be the last time I stand here to present the Trustees report and accounts up to 31 March last year to our members and supporters and also when we talk about what has happened since our last AGM. All members should have received a copy of the Report and Accounts and all of you can I trust see a copy and take it away.  This is our public record and is sent to both Companies House and the Charity Commissioners. Kentigern, our treasurer will speak in more detail about the financial statements and answer questions! As Chair I will take any questions you may have on the report of the Trustees. In fact the Annual Review with the owl on the front gives the highlights of the crucial work that is done by LASSN and the achievements for the year. Inevitably the Annual Report is an historic document so the AGM is also an opportunity to include a review of the year so far. Leaving is an opportunity for reflection and I’ve looked back over my notes for previous AGMs.  There have been common threads. Our Mission to meet the needs of asylum seekers and refugees in Leeds and raise awareness of issues facing them is unchanged and has been the driving force for everything Trustees, staff and volunteers have done. So positive reflections: LASSN’s achievements and the difference made to the lives of those asylum seekers and refugees we have supported. This cannot be over-estimated and the sadness is that we have not been able to do more. The overwhelming enthusiasm of volunteers. Without them, LASSN would not exist. The dedication of Trustees and staff The resilience of LASSN in facing year in year out financial difficulties The courage and fortitude of asylum seekers and the determination of refugees Milestones including 10 years as a Charity and our 1,000th volunteer Sadly however an equally common thread of my 6 years as a Trustee has been that of challenges faced. A hostile environment in which we work A reduction in funding streams with more charities applying for shrinking pots A reliance on grant aid Shrinking reserves – built up largely through the generosity of individual donors and supporters. We were able to use them to maintain services and help ensure LASSN survived where many others had to close or reduce services) The necessity to issue notice of redundancy to staff with regularity that showed we were increasingly in an unsustainable position. Last year we were able, as in previous years, to rescind the notices of redundancy but Trustees and [...]

Our next Themed Social on Advocacy – 11th Feb 2015

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2018-11-09T13:40:13+00:0023rd January, 2015|

Our next Themed Social is scheduled for Wednesday 11th February from 6.30 - 9.30pm in the Social Area on 2nd floor of Ebor Court.  Our theme is Advocacy - or helping people to speak up, or to get their voice heard There will be Pizza and popcorn (bring your own drinks, please) A short talk from Derek Sankar, Director of Advocacy Support  A screening of the film Pride (Cert 15) - a story of  lesbian and gay activists who raised money to help families affected by the British miners' strike in 1984. A discussion of what Advocacy means as a volunteer at LASSN, and how we can best help people find their voice. The film might not be an obvious choice, but a) it's brilliant and b) it explores themes of what it means to stand alongside other people who are experiencing tough times. We hope it will make for some interesting discussions afterwards. Please let us know if you'd like to join us by clicking here

Face to Face Support and Advice for Asylum Seekers in Leeds

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2018-11-09T12:52:31+00:001st April, 2014|

Asylum advice in Leeds Following the closure of the Refugee Council office in Leeds, and the replacement online/phone support offered by Asylum Help, we have produced a simple guide to getting face to face support and advice in Leeds. We have also added an additional page explaining what callers can expect when calling Asylum Help's freephone number. For more information about what's happening in the Leeds Refugee and Asylum sector - go to the Migration Partnership website . Please note - Legal Advice on Asylum Claims can only be provided by OISC approved bodies.  

One World Leeds – Winter 2013 Edition

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2018-11-09T11:49:07+00:0014th February, 2014|

  A slightly belated posting of One World Leeds Winter 2013 - produced by our Press Gang volunteers Challenging negative perceptions of refugees The new Immigration Bill - tip of the iceberg An asylum seeker is shattered but steadfast A journey into Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre English at Home - a formula for integration Inertia in Odyssey (a poem) Sports and leisure Be sure to find out more about Press Gang at their new home at oneworldleeds.org

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