It is difficult for people seeking asylum to provide the right evidence. As a result, many are refused, with no right to work, rent privately, receive benefits or social housing. Their only options are illegal working, at high risk of exploitation, being severely marginalised, and often sleeping rough. Many are suffering with the effects of PTSD or living with the consequences of trauma. The only way forward is to make a fresh asylum claim, requiring stability, safety, and advice to survive.

We help members to make a fresh claim by providing accommodation, wellbeing support and access to legal advice. We also provide £10 per week via our Solidarity Fund, which increased to £20 during lockdown because all illegal work, and therefore income, stopped and members needed money for food and bare essentials. We had to reduce it to £15 p/wk in August and want to continue at this level (or more) through this appeal. The fund's annual budget is £25,200: an increase of £14,480 on 2019/20.