Give your pledge meaning: contribute to the Hardship Fund to relieve destitution amongst refused asylum seekers.
In 2009, more than 100 destitute sanctuary seekers came to the Bristol Refugee Welcome Centre*. For these people, a claim to asylum in UK has been refused, but return ‘home’ would put the person in mortal danger. For others, there has been confusion about their case or their papers and the basic entitlement to support has been withdrawn.
Sanctuary seekers are not allowed to take paid work. Long periods of forced destitution damage a person’s mental and physical health. People with great energy, ability and intelligence are reduced to hopelessness and serious depression.
Bristol Refugee Rights holds a hardship fund to offer limited practical support to people who are destitute because of the asylum process.
In partnership with the Bristol branch of the Red Cross, we provide £10 a week to unsupported individuals. This £10 means more than its cash value. It lets people on the edge of despair know that their plight is noticed, that there are some in the community who care about what is happening to them. Alongside friendship, advocacy and other practical forms of support, it can help people get through these dreadful times. We provide this hardship support for a period of 2 to 3 months. Where possible, we enable people to return to the minimal support provided by the National Asylum Support Service. Many have restarted the legal process for claiming asylum, this time with clearer evidence and stronger representation. Some have since been granted full refugee status.
Contribution to this fund is a simple, direct way to give practical meaning to your pledge of support for the City of Sanctuary. As a company, an organisation or as an individual, you may contribute to this fund; you will know that every penny will relieve destitution among refused asylum seekers.
Please visit http://www.bristolrefugeerights.org/support-us/ for details of Hardship Fund and how to donate.
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*The Refugee Welcome Centre is managed by Bristol Refugee Rights, which is a member of City of Sanctuary steering group