Refugee Crisis

refugees walkingThe ongoing situation where people seek sanctuary and a better life  in other countries has evoked conflicting responses from people. Some positive but some (especially in some quarters of the media) very negative.

In church communities and dioceses the overwhelming response has been ‘what can I do to help?’ This is as true of the Leeds diocese as of anywhere else. People want to reach out with compassion and help these people who have sacrificed so much and suffered so much.

The Commission does not directly work with refugees, though many Commission members are heavily involved in organisations that do, and it was instrumental in setting up one such organisation in the Leeds Diocese: St Monica’s Housing.

If you want to help then there are lots of places where you can find out more and get more involved

Some of these are detailed below.

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FIND OUT MORE / DO MORE

Diocesan Refugee Support Group

Diocese of Leeds logoThis group seeks to coordinate work about refugees across the Diocese of Leeds. It is made up of representatives from the J&P Commission, Caritas Leeds, Catholic Care and the Diocesan SVP. .

 

SVP Support Centre

SVP logoIn Leeds and Bradford the SVP centres undertake a lot of work with asylum seekers. They are always on the look out for new volunteers.

St.Vincent’s support centre website

The Medaille Trust

Logo for the Medaille TrustThe Medaille Trust is a charity founded by groups of Religious congregations in 2006 to work against the evils of human trafficking in response to the plight of thousands of people who are being trafficked into the UK each year.

Medaille Trust website

logoThe Refugee Council champions the rights of refugees as well as providing practical types of support. See their website for more details

Go to website

LEEDS

Leeds Asylum Seekers Network (LASSN) is one organisation where people in the Leeds area could get involved. They operate a number of different projects.

LASSN website

Also in Leeds is PAFRAS – again with many volunteering opportunities’

Go to website

Leeds is also a City of Sanctuary – part of a movement to build a culture of hospitality for people seeking sanctuary in the UK. 

Leeds City of Sanctuary website

A newer charity working in Leeds is LEDAS – working to provide accommodation and support for destitute asylum seekers who have no recourse to public funds.

Go to website

BRADFORD

If you live in the Bradford area then this website may give you some ideas about getting involved:-

logo for refugee action

 

 

Go to website

 

 

Bradford,  is also a City of Sanctuary

Go to website

HUDDERSFIELD

Destitute Asylum Seekers Huddersfield (DASH) – This organisation helps new refugees and asylum seekers in the Kirklees area.

Logo for DASHThey provide hosting, Drop-ins, English classes and social activities. See their website for more information about what they do and how you could help.

DASH website

WAKEFIELD DISTRICT

Wakefield is also a City of Sanctuary. See their website for volunteering opportunities.

Go to website

CALDERDALE

In Halifax the St Augustine’s Centre offers many opportunities for volunteering to support asylum seekers and refugees.

Go to website