How to support refugees and asylum seekers in Bristol
Watching the crisis unfold in Afghanistan has brought home to us the reality facing so many people in desperate and urgent need of safety and sanctuary. Refugees and those seeking asylum from many different nations are facing unprecedented challenges.
As many of them seek sanctuary in our city and in our neighbourhoods, we have an opportunity to show God’s love to them through welcome and hospitality.
Who are refugees?
There are a number of different routes for people to get safety in the UK as refugees. Most people come here on their own and claim asylum. They are then given government support and housing (no choice, often poor condition, £39 a week to live on, not allowed to work) until their claim is granted. However, if it is refused they are made destitute and have no access to funding or accommodation.
Other people (the lucky few) are able to come on a resettlement programme and when they arrive (even though they may come with very little but the clothes on their back) they will get housing, support, right to work and education etc like other people in the UK.
In Bristol, the various resettlement programmes are mostly organised by Bristol City Council, but the greatest need is affordable properties to rent out to these families. There are also some community sponsorship groups in Bristol who are working to resettle families.
How can I get involved in PRACTICALLY supporting refugees?
1. Offer a home
The most pressing need at this moment is ACCOMMODATION - if you are a private landlord who is able to offer a home (either a whole house or flat to rent at affordable rent) for some of those who have arrived but are in temporary accommodation, or if you know of anyone who could, please get in touch with Bristol City Council directly here: bristol.gov.uk/afghan
Watch the video to find out more about the Afghan Resettlement Scheme in Bristol ->
2. Support organisations in responding to the refugee crisis
There are several Bristol-based organisations that offer support, solidarity and advice to people seeking sanctuary in our city. You can see a list of them here
Here are some of the requests they are currently seeking help with:
Hosts to come forward and offer a room in their house in inner city Bristol (ideally a quiet place, with an expectation that the person would spend a lot of time out of the house. You may see very little of them - they really need just a room!). Get in touch with Bristol Hospitality Network for more information: click here
Donations of specific essential items to support those who are here without any support. AidBox Community are coordinating the distribution of clothing, toiletries, bedding, and other essential items to support people who have recently arrived with nothing but the clothes on their back. Check out the list of current urgent needs: click here
Volunteers to share their time and skills to provide a warm welcome and support for those who are seeking sanctuary here in Bristol. There are so many different roles and opportunities to share your time either as a one-off or on a regular basis. Most of the organisations in the list above are on the lookout for extra people who can help them. Here are just a few of the roles we’ve seen:
Drop-in Centre Welcome volunteers: Borderlands, Bristol Hospitality Network
One-to-One Support / Mentors: Borderlands, Refugee Welcome Homes, Bristol Hospitality Network, Bridges for Communities
Fundraisers: Borderlands, Bristol Hospitality Network
English Teachers and Assistants: Refugee Women of Bristol, Bristol Refugee Rights
Admin Support: Bristol Refugee Rights
Interpreters / Translators: Bristol Refugee Rights, Refugee Welcome Homes
Mother Companions: Project Mama
DIY volunteers: Refugee Welcome Homes
Delivery drivers: AidBox Community
One-off event volunteers: Bridges for Communities
Financial donations to support the work of the charities above as they seek to support refugees and asylum seekers. Donations can be given towards the purchase of essential items, to enable the provision of solidarity funds (which give £20 a week to individuals in destitution in Bristol) and towards the general costs of supporting refugees and asylum seekers. To find out how to give to each organisation, please visit their individual websites: click here
Thank you to Rachael Bee for her support in creating this guide.