We are so proud of Bristol, and the way that local people come together to create a better and more welcoming city. Below is a list of organisations that offer support, solidarity and advice to refugees and asylum seekers. If you know of any others that should be added to the list, please email Anna on [email protected]
1625 Independent People helps young refugees and asylum seekers to get to know their new environment and engage with their local communities. We support young people with housing, life skills and education.
ACH is a social enterprise that provides integration services for refugees in Bristol and other areas in UK.
Working in the UK, Nepal and Northern France, Art Refuge UK offers art therapy to people who have been displaced.
ABLC provides legal advice on asylum claims and other immigration related issues, including applying for bail from immigration detention.
B.friend trains volunteers from the host community to give an extended period of one-to-one friendly mentor support to sanctuary seekers.
A centre for refugees, asylum seekers, and others with immigration problems on Lawfords Gate, BS5 0RE, with food, English classes, information, a chance to socialise and a warm welcome.
Free confidential support, information and advice is available here to people in and around Bristol living with or affected by HIV. BP also run a Migrant Advice and Support Service, supporting migrants and asylum seekers who are affected by or living with HIV.
The Bristol Bike Project came into being in December of 2008 after founders James Lucas and Colin Fan (pictured above) envisaged the idea of a community bike project while on a cycling trip around Scandinavia. Through his time volunteering at Bristol Refugee Rights, James had come to recognise the importance for disadvantaged and marginalised people to be independently mobile in our city. For many of these people, public transport and car ownership were financially unobtainable and coupled with the ever increasing environmental impact of a city overly reliant on fossil fuels, the objective became clear: Help people get out on two wheels.
Bristol Citizens Advice Bureau
CAB offers free, confidential and impartial advice to all Bristol citizens.
Bristol Defend Asylum Seekers Campaign
BDASC is a voluntary group of dedicated people in Bristol, working to raise the profile of asylum seekers, and campaigning locally to challenge the injustice of the asylum system.
BHN extends solidarity to people seeking asylum and experiencing destitution through accommodation and creative community involvement.
BRR works together with refugees and asylum seekers in Bristol. Alongside the Welcome Centre (open 3 days a week) there are English classes, information, advocacy and legal advice, a creche, and much more.
British Red Cross – Refugee Support, Bristol
If you have recently been granted refugee status, they can help with benefit applications, applying for housing, bank accounts and integration loans.
If you are destitute as you’ve been refused asylum or have just been granted refugee status, they can provide some small financial support for up to 8 weeks.
Their International Family Tracing service can try to trace your family overseas (including in Europe) if you have lost contact.
If you have a ‘Family Reunion’ visa for a member of your family they may be able to organise and pay for travel to the UK.
Unit 19, Easton Business Centre, Felix Road, Easton, BS5 0HE
Tel 0117 941 5040
Email [email protected]
Building Support through Shelter
Is creating safe shelters for refugees using existing empty commercial and residential buildings that are not in use due to their need for refurbishment work.
Calais Refugee Solidarity Bristol
Calais Solidarity organises and facilitates collections of vital supplies within Bristol and their delivery to refugee camps in France.
Citizens UK brings together people, events and schemes to help ensure that Bristol welcomes refugees, with a focus especially on Syrian refugees and young people.
Pride Without Borders
PWB provides a space to LGBT asylum seekers and refugees to meet and tell their story. Contact details can be found here.
Project MAMA supports women refugees, asylum-seekers and those with uncertain immigration status through pregnancy, childbirth and in early parenting. More information and how to get in touch can be found here.
Refugee Council’s Children section in Bristol provide support and advice for separated children seeking asylum in the South West. Click this link to access Children’s Section on our website.
Contact details
Refugee Council | Children’s Advisor Bristol
Bristol Refugee Rights, St Pauls Learning Centre, 94 Grosvenor Road
Bristol, BS2 8XJ
Direct Line: 07393 014 650
Duty Line: 020 73461134
Linking socially conscious landlords with refugees needing a place to call home in Bristol.
A multi-ethnic, multi-faith organisation which specifically targets the needs of refugee women and is directly governed by women of the refugee and asylum seeking community in Bristol.
This is a ‘first stop’ clinic for newly arrived asylum seekers in Bristol. It is run on behalf of all three Primary Care Trusts in Bristol. The Haven provides a comprehensive health assessment for those who have not yet registered with a GP.
Support Against Racist Incidents
SARI supports victims of hate crime, with a freephone line and an online reporting form for victims of hate crimes, as well as direct help.
Bristol Signing Support Group
BSSG volunteers provide accompaniment and solidarity to people who must report to Immigration Officers in Patchway
Social Workers without Borders
This group was set up in March 2016 by a small number of social workers who have worked with people in the asylum process in the UK and in refugee camps overseas.
Tamarisk Training design and facilitate bespoke training events to promote intercultural awareness and understanding of issues facing asylum seekers and refugees. They work with local authorities, charities, housing providers, children’s services and grassroots organisations to train frontline staff, including social workers, foster carers, and charity volunteers, and to provide consultancy services to those responsible for service provision. They can also offer training on cultural matters to asylum seekers and refugees.
TFSW provides long-term professional psychotherapy and an art therapy group for sanctuary seekers.
Based in Bristol, this charity works towards a world without slavery.
