Links to local and national organisations involved in issues surrounding Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Local

Yarlswood Bedfrienders - visiting and Supporting Women in Immigration Detention at Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre in North Bedfordshire

National

Asylum Aid - gives free legal advice and represents the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people seeking asylum in the UK in their asylum applications

AsylumSupport.info - focuses on all matters that concern people seeking asylum and provides a directory of hundreds of relevant online resources

Economic Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) - is a pan-European network of refugee-assisting non-governmental organisations, aiming to promote the protection and integration of refugees in Europe

Home Office - is the Government department responsible for internal affairs and immigration control (permission to stay, citizenship, asylum) in England and Wales

Human Rights Watch - is an organisation dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world

Immigration Advisory Service - is the UK’s largest charity providing representation and advice in immigration and asylum law. They have a local office in Bedford at 1st Floor, 8 Goldington Road, Bedford, MK40 3NF. Tel: 01234 358046

Immigration Law Practitioners' Association (ILPA) -  promotes and improves the advising and representation of immigrants, and provides information to members on domestic and European immigration, refugee and nationality law. 

Migrant Helpline - is a non-government organisation that provides advice to asylum seekers and refugees, promotes awareness of asylum issues and works towards the integration of asylum seekers and refugees within the community

Refugee Action - provides practical advice and assistance for newly arrived asylum seekers and is committed to their settlement through community development work

Refugee Council - is the largest organisation in the UK working with asylum seekers and refugees, giving help and support, but also working with asylum seekers and refugees to ensure their needs and concerns are addressed

Refugees Online - is a website that promotes and supports the use of online communications among UK refugee communities

Refugee Resource - aims to relieve distress, improve well-being and facilitate the integration of refugees and asylum seekers - mainly in Oxfordshire - by providing practical, social and psychological support

Refugee Week - Refugee Week is a UK wide programme of events which celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - is the agency mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide