Supporting Refugees and Asylum Seekers

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RAS – Supporting Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Our work with refugees and people seeking asylum began in 2014 and developed from our desire to welcome refugees and people seeking asylum to Teesside. It has been our privilege to meet many hundreds of asylum seekers and refugees over the years as they adjust to life in the UK after having to leave their home countries. We aim to provide friendship and support for the many refugees and asylum seekers here in Teesside, and show the love that God has for them.

If you are living in Teesside and are from outside of the UK, we want to offer you a warm welcome! Please take a look at our events below and come to visit us soon.

What’s on

English Classes

Free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes. The classes are informal and aim to strengthen social English and increase confidence. We have classes for all levels from beginner to advanced. No need to book, just turn up.

When: Every Monday (except bank holidays) 10.45am to 12noon

We run a different programme throughout August, please get in touch to find out what we have planned!

Where: Stockton Baptist Church, The Square, Stockton, TS18 1TE

RAS Drop-in

Free drop-in for refugees and those seeking asylum. Offering games, refreshments, friendship and advice from the Red Cross.

When: Every Monday (except bank holidays) 1pm to 3pm

We run a different programme throughout August, please get in touch to find out what we have planned!

Where: Stockton Baptist Church, The Square, Stockton, TS18 1TE

Women’s Drop-in

Free drop-in for refugees and those seeking asylum. Offering crafts, refreshments, friendship and advice from the Red Cross.

Toys and fun activities available for Children age 0-5 years.

When: Every Friday (in term time) 10am to 12noon.

Where: Stockton Baptist Church, The Square, Stockton, TS18 1TE

People seeking sanctuary (both Asylum seekers (with and without permission to work) and Refugees) are welcome to attend the Christians Against Poverty courses offered at Stockton Baptist Church- Job Club and Money coaching.  However, a good knowledge of the English language is necessary as no translation or interpreting is available.  Visit our CAP page for further details: https://stocktonbc.org.uk/christians-against-poverty/

For further details and to find out when the next free course is starting, contact CAP Job Club Manager Katharine Lam at katharinelam@capuk.org or 07756 539210.

Tuesday Night Teaching

If you are interested in exploring the Christian faith, we run a teaching group that is mainly run in Farsi and French.

Check our homepage to see what courses are running at the moment and to sign up, or contact the Church Office on 01642 602223 if you would like to know more.

For more information about these groups please call, WhatsApp or text 07713 990327, call the Church office on 01642 602223 or email claire.paxton@stocktonbaptistchurch.co.uk.

Support from other organisations

Catalyst – Resource Hub

Catalyst have set up a webpage with useful Links and Resources for Refugees and Asylum Seekers you can access here Catalyst Stockton (google.com)

You will find a RAS community calendar showing what groups are on each day for you to go to, answers to questions you may have and links to support organisations who may be able to help you.

UK Asylum Services

Migrant Help provides asylum support services in multiple languages. You can contact Migrant Help for support with most asylum enquiries. You can contact them via their free helpline at 0808 8010 503, webchat, their Service User Portal, or one of their designated email addresses for specific issues.

Check out their website here Migrant Help (migranthelpuk.org).

If you want to contact them on behalf of someone else, you will need to provide a signed consent form.

Support and advice for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

The British Red Cross is the UK’s largest independent provider of services for refugees and people seeking asylum.

You can call 01642 607230 to make an appointment to speak to an advisor in Stockton or access their website here The British Red Cross | Worldwide Humanitarian Charity.

Please note you cannot attend their office without an appointment

Asylum advice and support

Justice First offer specialist legal advice, practical and emotional support, community activities and volunteer befrienders for Refugees and people seeking Asylum in the Tees Valley area.
You can call 01642 601122, email info@justicefirst.org.uk or stop by the office 133 Norton Road, Stockton, TS18 2BG to make an appointment to speak to an OISC-regulated advisor.
Information about drop-in sessions can be viewed on their website Welcome to Justice First – Justice First Building Bridges, Not Walls and on the Catalyst RAS Community Calendar.

Open Door

Open Door North East is a charity, founded on Christian values, serving asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants in Tees Valley. They provide a range of services supporting the wellbeing and integration of those seeking sanctuary in the UK including housing (for both new refugees and accommodation for refused asylum seekers), benefits advice, asylum support casework and other holistic support services. Their mission is to support those seeking sanctuary to move out of poverty and destitution and be empowered to achieve their full potential.

You can call 01642 213634 or email info@opendoornortheast.com to chat to a member of their team about your situation. Alternatively check out their website Open Door North East | Welcome.

Directory of Support Services and Resources

The North East Migration Partnership (NEMP) have a local directory to help find services and support for refugees and asylum seekers in the local area. Just click on the ‘Find Services’ button on their website here North East Migration Partnership | Working to ensure the North East of England can deal with, and benefit from, migration (nemp.org.uk) and type in your postcode to find out what is near you. The website can be accessed in different languages, choose your language in the top right-hand corner.

NEMP also provide online courses to help new refugees and asylum seekers understand the law, expectations and social norms in the UK.  They aim to develop knowledge and confidence to be able to access help or advice when required.  Courses include Life and Laws in the UK, Parenting and Looking After Your Health. Click on the ‘E-learning’ button on their website to look through the available courses.

Stockton – On – Tees Food Power Network

The Stockton-on-Tees Food Power Network (SFPN) is a partnership aiming to transform the way that communities experiencing food poverty access support, helping people to have long, sustainable lives that are free from hunger. Access their latest leaflets which show you where you can access free and low cost food in Stockton by clicking on the link below.

Community Food in Stockton-on-Tees – Nov 22 update – Google Drive

There is also a Community Food Map – take a look here: bit.ly/communityfoodstockton

You can download all of the Community Food available HERE

Refugee Futures

Refugee Futures vision is that Stockton-On-Tees and the surrounding area is welcoming and inclusive to Asylum Seekers and Refugees so that they belong and can maximise their skills and abilities to flourish within the community.

Their Action Asylum project connects Asylum Seekers with regular (weekly or monthly) volunteer opportunities and larger one-off volunteer events. For more information contact Jess Wratten on 07542 015870 or email Jess.Wratten@refugeefutures.org.

Their Welcome Project welcomes newly arrived Asylum Seekers in Stockton-On-Tees by providing practical knowledge of where to seek support and access integration opportunities. For more information contact Phil Bramhall on 07549 412836 or email Phil.Bramhall@refugeefutures.org.

Refugee Futures also manage a store of furniture and household goods for newly recognised Refugees to help them create a home. If this is something you need help with contact Jess Wratten on 07542 015870 or email Jess.Wratten@refugeefutures.org.