Looking out for asylum seekers who are suddenly moved to new areas

Often asylum seekers and refugees we have supported get sent to a completely different part of the UK at very short notice. This can be very distressing for the person being moved, who may have lived in Hertfordshire for several months or even years.

If we know where people are being sent to, we try and signpost them to charities like ours who may be able to help.  Here are some examples:

Emma: “I got put through to a very nice lady who runs the local refugee support group - she lives very near to where M will be and although her car has broken down today, she’s going to rally the troops and get some food to him and make sure he gets a warm welcome.
The people I’ve spoken to have restored my faith in humanity today 🥰 It’s brought a little tear to my eye 🥹”

Linda: “I found the food bank run by a local church in the new area and contacted a friendly person there who said he would be very welcome at their activities.  M went there and said they were welcoming and  helped him with food and he is going there every week."  

Lexi: “I got in touch with Integration Support in Harlow.  The volunteer there  told me about the amazing support given to Y and his family by the charity, including Sim cards, help with administration, access to English classes, job applications, and help for the rest of the family.  This warms my heart.”

Denise: “This is a good news message I've just had back from a family who were at the hotel earlier in the year and now have Leave to Remain. They were moving to Coventry and reached out to me for help, as the property had no furniture. I was able to google various charities in the city and make a referral. So pleased that this worked out for them. It is an example of the power of the internet for good, but also the benefit of signposting and working together with other organisations both near and far.  

We then received this message which made us feel very relieved:
'I am writing this email to say thanks to you for helping me and my family to get furniture and household items by referring us to Carriers of Hope when we moved to Coventry.  They had delivered all the furniture and items, they are in very good condition and we are very happy.'" 

For our volunteers, it can often be upsetting that people we have come to know well are being sent to places where they don’t know anyone who can help them.   The reports above restore our faith that there are other charities out there who will look out for refugees and asylum seekers when they arrive in a new place and we are very grateful to them.