We help LGBTQ+ asylum seekers access food, housing, community and asylum application support:

Many Asylum Seekers and Refugees face homelessness, destitution, isolation, exclusion and housing issues. LGBTQ+ asylum seekers face additional barriers due to marginalisation and a culture of disbelief in their asylum application. Covid-19 has aggravated these issues causing the physical and mental health of many individuals to deteriorate further. 

At Bristol Refugee Rights we work diligently to provide support to LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and refugees. We meet vital needs of individuals and families on issues including shelter, food, safety, medication, digital devices and data. In addition, our project PRIDE WITHOUT BORDERS provides a weekly support group, wellbeing phone calls and support with evidencing asylum claims. We are LOUD & PROUD of this extremely successful project, but we need your help to continue this crucial work. 

All LGBTQ+ Asylum Seekers we support are Black, Asian or an Ethnic Minority.

They do not have the right to work, and all face homelessness and destitution. They live on £37.75 a week in often crammed houses with other individuals who can be homophobic. They may have to hide their gender or sexual orientation to not encounter abuse where they are housed. In addition, 3 out of 4 of them will be refused asylum by the Home Office due to a culture of disbelief. They become homeless and their allowance is cut off once they are refused. 

They need safe housing, destitution support, a sense of belonging and assistance with evidencing their asylum claim.

PRIDE WITHOUT BORDERS and Bristol Refugee Rights meet vital needs of individuals and families including shelter, food, safety, medication, devices and data.

Bristol Refugee Rights is providing an advice service hotline three days a week for asylum seekers and refugees during Covid-19 Lockdown. We provide food, housing application, devices, data, medical emergency support and hardship funds. 

In addition, PRIDE WITHOUT BORDERS team reach up to 30 individuals each week to provide wellbeing services and combat isolation and respond to mental health emergencies. 

Our PRIDE group have multiple online platforms for daily communication as well as weekly support meetings. 

Most importantly, our small team assists asylum seekers prove their asylum claim is legitimate and have helped 23 long standing members secure their refugee status.

 Impact: What can we achieve with your donations?

• £10: Can pay for a weekly phone call to 10 people who are destitute, isolated and with serious mental health needs, to provide emotional support, validation, help accessing counselling, food, credit, data or legal advice.   
• £20: Can pay for transport costs to access medical appointments and counselling particularly for vulnerable members who are disabled due to physical impairments or serious mental illness.
• £50: Can pay for a group meeting that benefits up to 20 people each time to build confidence, self esteem, friendships and hope.
• £165: Can pay for preparing for and accompanying someone to an appeal to prove their asylum claim.
• £1000: Can provide extensive support to up to 10 individuals and their families with multifaceted needs including homelessness and destitution. These require expensive telephone interpreting services that can cost up to £54 an hour.

What do asylum seekers say about PRIDE WITHOUT BORDERS (PWB):

"It made me become more confident and understand who I am and that nothing is wrong with me, I feel very welcome."

"I  enjoy coming to PWB. After I met them my life changed. They helped me find a solicitor. They keep me motivated and I get more confidence when I come every time. I feel happy and hopeful, helping me all the way as much as they can."

"I enjoy a lot in every PWB meeting. I learn so many things from these meetings. I feel more confident about my life and rights after I joined this group."

A heartfelt thank you from our dedicated team for all the support you have given us.

We have been providing a Welcome Centre, food, clothing, advice, emergency support, English classes and a fully staffed creche for thousands of asylum seekers and refugees since 2006. We have a dedicated staff team and 120 committed volunteers.  With the lock down restrictions in place, we have dynamically remodelled our face to face services to be carried out over the telephone and internet. Please help us continue this crucial work and support our LGBTQ+ members through the pandemic by donating and sharing today.