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Asylum and refugee information / Asylum and refugee support

Asylum and refugee support

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Migrant help

People seeking asylum and need support in relation to their asylum allowance or property maintenance should contact Migrant Help. 

Information is available (in several languages) by visiting the Migrant Help website or by:

Sanctuary Wales

The Sanctuary Wales website also has a lot of useful information available.

Call: 0808 196 7273 to ask for an appointment in their Newport office. 

Move on service

People who have been given a ‘notice to vacate’ their asylum accommodation, can access the ‘move on’ service from the Welsh Refugee Council. 

Call 0808 196 7273 to book an appointment.

EU/EEA migrants with status or who successfully applied for EU visa after 31December 2021 and regugees granted refugee status following application for asylum can access free housing support from Newport Mind.

Contact Newport Mind on enquiries@newportmind.org or call 01633 258741

People who have been given a ‘notice to vacate’ their asylum accommodation, can access the ‘move on’ services from the Welsh Refugee Council

To contact Welsh Refugee Council call 0808 196 7273 to book an appointment.

Asylum Justice

Asylum Justice is an OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner) registered charity. It provides legal immigration advice to people seeking asylum. It also helps refugees in Wales who no longer have access to legal aid.

Asylum Justice cannot help with the fees for Immigration Courts or the Home Office.

Asylum Justice services can be accessed online or by phone on Mondays or Thursdays between 6pm and 8pm.

Visit Asylum Justice website.

Children and school

Parents of all children living in the UK must make sure that their children attend school between the ages of five and 16 years.

In Wales, children can normally attend school from the beginning of September after their fourth birthday.

If you arrive in Newport and have applied for asylum you will be seen by the asylum-seeker co-ordinator if you have school age children.

At this meeting details of previous schooling, any special needs and medical details will be noted.

This meeting is an opportunity for families to learn about the education system.

The Gwent Education Multi-ethnic Service (GEMS) aims to support those whose first language is not English or Welsh. Learn more on our GEMS webpage.

To find out more general information about:

  • school admissions
  • school meals
  • educational grants
  • school transport
  • additional learning needs

visit our schools and learning homepage.

Children four years and under 

Children under four years old may attend nursery schools or nursery classes in primary schools. The choices are:

  • nursery schools or classes in schools run by Newport City Council
  • council social services nurseries
  • private nurseries not run by the council – people whose children attend these pay the owner
  • crèches run by colleges – enrolled students pay for their children to be looked after while they study
  • playgroups and parent and toddler groups. These are based in the local community and often run by parents, there is usually a charge

For 3 and 4 year olds, parents and guardians can apply for childcare and early education for up to 30 hours a week. Find out more on the Welsh government website.

Read more about admissions to nursery school.

Flying Start

Flying Start is a Welsh government programme available in certain areas to support families with children aged 0-4 years. 

It promotes language, cognitive, social and emotional skills, physical development and the early identification of high needs through the delivery of health support, parenting groups, early language support and free part-time childcare.

Find out more on our flying start webpage.

Survivors of Domestic Abuse

If you are a victim of domestic violence, you can phone the police on 101 or, if your life is at risk dial 999. There is more information on Welsh Women’s Aid and Live Fear Free helpline.

You can also contact the live fear free helpline by calling 0808 80 10 800 or texting 07860077333 (available 24 hours a day 7 days a week).  It can take up to 4 hours to get a response at busy times.

Or email info@livefearfreehelpline.wales (available 24 hours a day 7 days a week). You will receive a response within 24 hours.

Victims/survivors of domestic violence often stay in an abusive relationship because they fear the impact on their asylum application or migration status if they were to leave the abusive person. However, there are policies in place to help. 

The Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession (MV DAC)

This Home Office policy gives migrants temporary permission to stay in the UK and apply to claim benefits if their relationship broke down because of domestic abuse.

Find out more and apply on the UK government website, or visit Rights of Women. 

Refugee victims/survivors should receive the same support as any other UK citizen in those circumstances, except when they have joined their partner on a spousal visa, in which case they are likely to be able to apply for a MV DAC.

Refugee victims/survivors who did not join their spouse on a spousal visa will need urgent legal immigration advice in relation to their change in circumstances and options to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

Read the UK government policy regarding the rights of asylum seekers suffering domestic abuse.

National and local organisations and registered charities

ind out what support is available, and how you can help below.

Welsh Refugee Council

The Welsh Refugee Council supports refugees and asylum seekers. For support, or to become a funder or a donor, visit their website.

British Red Cross

The British Red Cross provides a range of services for refugees. For support, or to donate directly to support Ukraine, visit the British Red Cross website.

You can also email refugeesupportwales@redcross.org.uk.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army provides financial aid to support Ukrainians in conflict areas. For support or to contribute to the work of the Salvation Army, visit their website.

You can also contact Raymond.baynes@salvationarmy.org.uk or call 01633 267870.

Settled

Settled is a charity set up in 2019 to help European union (EU) citizens living in the UK whose rights were affected by Brexit. For more information, visit their website.

The Sanctuary / Gap Project

Providing support for refugees and asylum seekers in Newport. For more information visit their website.

The 3 Million

Providing a voice for EU citizens in the UK. Find out more information by visiting their website.

Women of Newport

Polonia dla Ukrainy is a local network group facilitating collections and donations to take to those seeking refuge in Poland. For more information, visit their Facebook page. 

Baby Bundles

Accepting donations of baby equipment to distribute locally to those affected. For more information email bundles.cymru@gmail.com.

Feed Newport

Feed Newport offers support to those affected and people living in poverty locally. For more information on how you can help:

Compas

Compas is a charity that works with marginalised and migrant people. For more information, visit their website.

Community house

Community House is a referral and signposting service. It runs an EU support drop in on Wednesday from 9am – 3pm. For more information, email cher@ideasuk.co.uk.

Mental health and wellbeing

Melo Cymru

Melo Cymru can help by providing resources and ways of coping with wellbeing and mental health support. For more information, visit their website.

Mind

For information and support on managing mental health, visit the Mind website.

GP

If you are registered with a GP, you can contact your local doctor’s surgery for mental health support.

If you are from a migrant background and have difficulty accessing a GP, you can contact the Health Inclusion Service via: