The refugee charities bridging borders in Bristol

Refugee organisations in #Bristol operate under BRASP, the Bristol Refugee and Asylum Seeker Partnership, a network of 15 organisations including Aid Box, Ashley Community Housing, Borderlands and Refugee Women of Bristol.

One member is Bristol Refugee Festival, who hold an annual event in Queen Square every year, celebrating the contribution that refugees and asylum seekers make in Bristol. It also runs a year-long community engagement programme, with events, workshops and meetings to connect refugee and asylum seeker communities.

Staff work with refugees staying in temporary accommodation in government’s holding hotels, where asylum seekers and refugees get £9 a week to live off, whilst those in self-contained accommodation get £35 a week. Managing money can be tricky, so financial fears can mean some are less likely to travel to meet people that can support them.

Bristol Refugee Festival works to make this process smoother, with refugee ambassadors role models, helping others with practical hurdles such as searching for jobs and working through the asylum application process.

Ashley Community Housing has been working with Socius Development housing, who are in the middle of a project to develop an integrated care home in central Bristol. The building houses up to 12 refugees who are looking to take the final step into either securing their own property or opportunities in the private renting sector.

Many of the tenants have secured long-term employment. One member, Houssein, who is originally from Somalia, works at the Bristol Royal Infirmary full-time. He said the accommodation feels safe and secure, and the staff are friendly.

The accommodation has enabled him to keep his job secure and easily travel to and from work. Residents have also found jobs as chefs, bus drivers, laboratory technicians, security officers and personal trainers.

“Bristol is easier than many other cities to work in because there is such support because of BRASP,” said Danny, Bristol Refugee Festival. “There’s a lot of energy and motivation here.”

https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/features/the-refugee-charities-bridging-borders-in-bristol/

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