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Projects

Fresh Start

Fresh Start is a project which seeks long term and sustainable solutions for female asylum seekers who are destitute. By meeting the immediate needs (for accommodation and support) of those in the project for a maximum of 6 months, the project will create the time for the women to think seriously about their long term futures.

The Fresh Start Specialist, supported by volunteers will work intensively with the women to look at where they have got to in the asylum system, why they became destitute and what their options might be now. Legal advice will be obtained to allow Fresh Start clients to pursue any unresolved asylum issues. Clients will be encouraged to consider the various possible outcomes of their claims ? which could be the grant of status or a final asylum refusal ? and to make decisions about what they will do, depending on the outcome. This will include considering whether it is appropriate to return home voluntarily if there is nothing further which can be done with their claim.

The project is managed by Refugee Action, with the British Red Cross, the Diocese of Leicester and Foundation Housing as partners all playing a role in delivering the service.

Fresh Start is funded by Refugee Action, the British Red Cross and by income from fundraising, as well as a generous donation from The Secret Millionaire. Addition monies will come from charitable trusts.

The project, which started in March 2010, is to run for 2 years initially, with the hope that it will continue beyond then.

For more information, please contact:

Santok Odedra, Fresh Start Specialist or Aidan Hallet, Deputy Area Manager, Refugee Action Leicester at FreshStart@refugee-action.org.uk or on 0116 261 6200.

Downloads

Destitution in the asylum system in Leicester (PDF 3.62MB)
A report of the Leicester Refugee and Asylum Seekers Voluntary Sector Forum June 2010

This report is part of the ongoing work by the Leicester Refugee and Asylum Seekers Voluntary Sector Forum of which Refugee Action is a member to monitor the extent of destitution amongst asylum seekers and refugees in Leicester.

This is the fourth report on the issue and it set out the findings of a survey of asylum seekers and refugees carried out by members of the Forum in February and March 2009.