The ongoing situation where people seek sanctuary and a better life in other countries has evoked conflicting responses from people. Some positive but some (especially in some quarters of the media) very negative.
In church communities and dioceses the overwhelming response has been ‘what can I do to help?’ This is as true of the Leeds diocese as of anywhere else. People want to reach out with compassion and help these people who have sacrificed so much and suffered so much.
The Commission does not directly work with refugees, though many Commission members are heavily involved in organisations that do, and it was instrumental in setting up one such organisation in the Leeds Diocese: St Monica’s Housing.
If you want to help then there are lots of places where you can find out more and get more involved
Some of these are detailed below.
.
FIND OUT MORE / DO MORE
Diocesan Refugee Support Group
This group seeks to coordinate work about refugees across the Diocese of Leeds. It is made up of representatives from the J&P Commission, Caritas Leeds, Catholic Care and the Diocesan SVP. .
SVP Support Centre
In Leeds and Bradford the SVP centres undertake a lot of work with asylum seekers. They are always on the look out for new volunteers.
The Medaille Trust
The Medaille Trust is a charity founded by groups of Religious congregations in 2006 to work against the evils of human trafficking in response to the plight of thousands of people who are being trafficked into the UK each year.
The Refugee Council champions the rights of refugees as well as providing practical types of support. See their website for more details
LEEDS
Leeds Asylum Seekers Network (LASSN) is one organisation where people in the Leeds area could get involved. They operate a number of different projects.
Also in Leeds is PAFRAS – again with many volunteering opportunities’
Leeds is also a City of Sanctuary – part of a movement to build a culture of hospitality for people seeking sanctuary in the UK.
Leeds City of Sanctuary website
A newer charity working in Leeds is LEDAS – working to provide accommodation and support for destitute asylum seekers who have no recourse to public funds.
BRADFORD
If you live in the Bradford area then this website may give you some ideas about getting involved:-
Bradford, is also a City of Sanctuary
HUDDERSFIELD
Destitute Asylum Seekers Huddersfield (DASH) – This organisation helps new refugees and asylum seekers in the Kirklees area.
They provide hosting, Drop-ins, English classes and social activities. See their website for more information about what they do and how you could help.
WAKEFIELD DISTRICT
Wakefield is also a City of Sanctuary. See their website for volunteering opportunities.
CALDERDALE
In Halifax the St Augustine’s Centre offers many opportunities for volunteering to support asylum seekers and refugees.