Get Connected is a Refugee Action project for young unaccompanied asylum seekers aged 15 to 18 in Liverpool.
Young asylum seekers arriving in Liverpool alone are placed in shared or single accommodation by Liverpool City Council with private agencies and are given a weekly living allowance. Some are placed in foster care.
Although the law is clear that young people under 18 are protected by the Children Act 1989 and other related laws and conventions, young asylum seekers face many barriers to a healthy, happy and constructive life.
Our approach is informal, young person-led, and sensitive to the specific needs of unaccompanied young asylum seekers in the UK.
We work with young people to increase their involvement in community-based activities throughout Liverpool and beyond. We facilitate and develop involvement with youth projects, through the youth service, community arts initiatives, sports activities, conservation projects and social and cultural events.
We help young people pursue their interests and ambitions by supporting them to access courses, job opportunities, training and a wide range of self-determined activities.
We aim for all young people to be fully informed of their rights and entitlements under the law, in relation to standards of care, accommodation, education and asylum issues. Our youth advocacy workers provide individual advocacy support to enable young people to have a voice with service providers and decision makers.
Click here to find out about the original youth & community project including our report Youing Lives in Liverpool
Click here to find out about the Peer Mentoring Project and our Peer Mentoring Toolkit