Last updated: January 2022.

DOST Centre is a charity and youth club based in Plaistow, London E13 8SD for young refugees and migrants offering:

• Community activities such as sports, homework support, art, day trips, free or low-cost holidays

• Weekend activities • Projects to foster friendships, improve English, stay active, and learn new skills

Most activities take place at the Newham Leisure Centre, E13 8SD and are open to all Redbridge residents. Self-referrals are accepted, and the form can be found at https://www.dostcentre.co.uk/reffer-a-young-person.

For weekly timetables, the young person will be added to a Whatsapp group after referral for up-to-date information on activities they can pick (maximum of 15 young people per group).
• Telephone: 07852 855711 (Marian: youth work programme manager)
• Email: marian@dostcentre.co.uk • Website: https://www.dostcentre.co.uk/

The Refugee Therapy Centre provides a specialist therapeutic service for refugees and asylum seekers. They are based in North London, N4 3RF and offer:
• Individual Therapy
• Child and Adolescent Therapy (using Intercultural Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy)
• Mentoring • Family Therapy and Couples Therapy
Individuals can self-refer. For more information, Telephone: 07828049099 or Email: info@refugeetherapy.org.uk • Website: https://refugeetherapy.org.uk/

The Helen Bamber Foundation is a human rights charity supporting refugees and asylum seekers who are the survivors of extreme human cruelty. They offer free trauma-focussed therapy to people aged 18+, who live in a London borough, and do not have legal status yet in the UK.
Both self-referrals and professional referrals are accepted through https://www.helenbamber.org/refer and the number of sessions will depend on the individual.
• The Helen Bamber Foundation community integration programme engages professionals and volunteers in different professions to support survivors fully into the wider community and society.
• Telephone: 0203 058 2020 • Email: reception@helenbamber.org
• Website: http://www.helenbamber.org/

Refugee Council helps refugees in the UK to rebuild their lives through several different opportunities. An overview of the support offered by Refugee Council can be found here https://refugeecouncil.org.uk/get-support/services/
• Refugee Council Infoline connects refugees and people seeking asylum with organisations that can help. The Infoline 0808 196 7272 is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 9.30am and 12.30pm.
• The Children’s advice project provides information and support to any refugee child or unaccompanied asylum seeker, or their carer.
More information can be found here: https://refugeecouncil.org.uk/get-support/services/childrens-advice/ - Contact: children@refugeecouncil.org.uk or 020 7346 1134 (Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm)

The Children’s Society provides services across the UK to give young refuges and migrants opportunities to recover from adverse experiences they may have had, meet people and start enjoying life in a new country.
• For young people waiting to know if they can stay in the UK, the children’s society can provide support through their interviews and interrogations, providing interpreters where needed.
• They provided holistic support for separated asylums seekers, refugee, and migrant young people aged 14-21, across all London boroughs.
They offer:
• Support through the asylum process and support with social care, housing, finance, and benefits
• A befriending scheme for more vulnerable and isolated young people (currently remote)
Email: Sophie.agrotis@childrenssociety.org.uk for befriending referrals

• Free, short or long term one-to-one therapy using integrative trauma-focused therapy for young people aged 11-25 living in London (currently remote but usually held in Stratford) - Email: Maaike.Beech@childrenssociety.org.uk for therapy referrals
• Social education sessions It is based in the Refugee and Migrant Services, London E15 4BQ and referrals can be made by emailing alice.myers@childrenssociety.org.uk. • Telephone: 03003 037000 or 07885  972057 (Alice)
• Website: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/our-work/young-refugees

Coram helps migrant children and young people by offering a free advice service, resources and information aimed at professionals on how to support children access their rights. They are based in Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AZ and offer:
* Free creative therapies such as art and music therapy (currently remote) for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people under the age of 18.
https://www.coram.org.uk/how-we-do-it/our-creative-therapies
* Support gateway: provides adoptive families and people with a special guardianship order (SGOs) with fast and easy access to a range of therapeutic assessments and interventions e.g. art and music therapy, mentalisation-based therapy, systemic family therapy, and trauma-focused CBT. For more info please click https://www.coram.org.uk/how-we-do-it/adoption/adoption-support-gateway
Advice for migrant children through their Migrant Children’s Project (email: mcpadvice@coramclc.org.uk)
Telephone: 020 7520 0300
Website: https://www.coram.org.uk/

 

Hope for the Young offers financial and mentoring support to young refugees and asylum seekers. It is based in Westminster W1H 1DP.
Their Education Fund provides grants to those who have no access to government funds, or to those who are facing extreme financial hardship. Example: tuition fees, exam fees, transport costs, and living allowances, and COVID-19 emergency relief. Only referrals from education and welfare organisations are accepted and the form can be accessed at https://hopefortheyoung.org.uk/funding/.
Their mentoring programme offers weekly 2-3 hours one-to-one support. The referral can be from anyone and is accessible through https://hopefortheyoung.org.uk/mentoring/.
Email: info@hopefortheyoung.org.uk
Telephone: 07405 654630 (General) or 07448155126 (Grants & Advocacy / Covid-19 Emergency Relief)
Website: https://hopefortheyoung.org.uk/

The Children’s Society: By Your Side provides holistic support for separated asylums seekers, refugee, and migrant young people aged 14-21, across all London boroughs. They offer:
o Support through the asylum process and support with social care, housing, finance, and benefits
o A befriending scheme for more vulnerable and isolated young people (currently remote)
o Email: Sophie.agrotis@childrenssociety.org.uk for befriending referrals
o Free, short or long term one-to-one therapy using integrative trauma-focused therapy for young people aged 11-25 living in London (currently remote but usually held in Stratford)
o Email: Maaike.Beech@childrenssociety.org.uk for therapy referrals
o Social education sessions
It is based in the Refugee and Migrant Services, London E15 4BQ and referrals can be made by emailing alice.myers@childrenssociety.org.uk.
o Telephone: 03003037000 or 07885972057 (Alice)
o Website: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/our-work/young-refugees-migrants

The Baobab Centre is a non-residential therapeutic company that enables child and adolescent asylum seekers who have experienced organized violence, violation, exploitation, threats, rejection, loss and bereavement in their home communities and on their journeys into exile to thrive in the UK. They offer:
o Free individual and Group Psychotherapy (referral process is currently on hold and will re-open on April 1, 2021) that are not time-limited and depends on the client
o Group activities e.g. music workshops, half-term, Easter, Summer projects (currently remote)
o Support through the Asylum Determination Processes e.g. prepare specialist psychological and developmental reports for asylum hearings
o Practical casework support for young people and professionals working with them
They are based in Holloway, N7 6BB. Further information on therapy, referral criteria, and processes can be found at https://baobabsurvivors.org/content/psychotherapy-activities
 Email: info@baobabsurvivors.org
 Telephone: 0798 380 2133
 Website: https://baobabsurvivors.org/

(CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING REFERRALS, NEED TO CONTACT THEM IN ADVANCE) Freedom for Torture is a charity specifically for survivors of torture that provides free, specialist psychological support for trauma as well as other therapies such as psychodynamic therapy, systemic therapy, integrative psychotherapy, and group therapy. Sessions range from 4-5 but will depend on the client. Their services are open to all age groups, families, and couples. Referrals can be made through https://www.freedomfromtorture.org/help-for-survivors/therapy-and-practical-help.

They also have activity groups including gardening, music, art, football, and cooking. Their London centre is based in Islington, N7 7JW.
 Email: london@freedomfromtorture.org
 Telephone: 020 7697 7777
 Website: https://www.freedomfromtorture.org/

Praxis Community Projects support to migrants and refugees in the UK such as immigration advice, housing, and peer support groups. Below are the groups and activities hosted by Praxis:
 Women Inspiring New Generations (WINGS)

WINGS is a group of women who, with their young children, come together to nurture their wellbeing, build new positive relationships and respite from the demands of everyday life. WINGS mums also discuss issues that affect them and share knowledge and experience in order to build solidarity and strength.
 English language classes
 Trauma-informed yoga
If you are interested in their group work activities, or would like to join an existing group, please contact Emma at emma.gardiner@praxis.org.uk. Praxis can be found at Bethnal Green, E2 0EF.
Email: Depending on your need, a few email contacts can be found at https://www.praxis.org.uk/contact-us
Telephone: 020 7749 7608 or 020 7749 7605 (Advice line; Weds 2-4pm, Thurs 10-12.30pm)
Website: https://www.praxis.org.uk/

Just for Kids Law supports children and young people living in any London borough overcome all the difficulties they face, from problems at school and issues with immigration status to trouble with the police. Referrals can be made at https://justforkidslaw.org/contact-us/referral-form.
 Email: info@justforkidslaw.org
 Telephone: 0203 174 2279
 Website: https://justforkidslaw.org/

IKWRO provides direct services for women and girls, including advocacy, training and counselling in many languages such as Kurdish, Arabic, Turkish, Farsi, Dari, Pashtu and English. They are based in Newham, London, E15 9FX and offer:
 A youth advocacy service providing advice on issues including “Honour” Based Violence, Forced Marriage, Child Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, Domestic Violence
 housing or immigration advice
 expert letters and statements for court proceedings
 a free and trauma-informed counselling service in Farsi, Kurdish, Arabic and English for girls aged 14+ who have experienced any form of gender based violence (http://ikwro.org.uk/need-help-now/counselling/)
 Email: manisha.dewan@ikwro.org.uk
 Telephone: 07458305158 or 020 7920 6460
 Website: http://ikwro.org.uk/

https://www.refugeesupportnetwork.org/pages/2-our-services
Refugee Support Network help young people aged 14-25 years old seeking safety in the UK to build more hopeful futures through education. They are based in Harlesdon, NW10 4JJ and they provide a range of services:
1. Educational mentoring: a blend of EAL tutoring and wellbeing support to young refugees and asylum seekers (currently there is a waitlist)
Link: https://www.refugeesupportnetwork.org/pages/23-educational-mentoring
Email: acooper@refugeesupportnetwork.org or sepling@refugeesupportnetwork.org for referrals

2. Specialist education and wellbeing support: long-term (1 year +), holistic support to young asylum seekers and refugees, helping them explore and pursue sustainable pathways back into education (currently closed to London referrals)
- Link: https://www.refugeesupportnetwork.org/pages/24-specialist-education-and-wellbeing-support
- Email: bnorman@refugeesupportnetwork.org

3. Access to higher education: support young asylum seekers and refugees who have the academic potential to attend university but who face challenges in doing so because of practical and immigration status-related barriers.
- Link: https://www.refugeesupportnetwork.org/pages/25-access-to-higher-education
- Higher education advice service: highereducation@refugeesupportnetwork.org
- Email: kbarringer@refugeesupportnetwork.org

4. Youth leadership programme: helps young refugees and asylum seekers identify their strengths and uniquenesses as leaders.
- Link: https://www.refugeesupportnetwork.org/pages/42-youth-leadership-course

RESOURCES FOR SCHOOLS

- Email: helwyn@refugeesupportnetwork.org or cburke@refugeesupportnetwork.org
Website: https://www.refugeesupportnetwork.org/

Breadwinners provide work experience for refugees and young people seeking asylum on their London market stalls (https://www.breadwinners.org.uk/markets) and through online bread delivery. They are based in Hackney, E9 7HN and have three programmes:

 Risers: provides early intervention support for young people seeking asylum aged 16 to 24 through a tailored training programme as market stall assistants.

- Link: https://www.breadwinners.org.uk/risers
- Contact: 079526 538298 (Charlotte) or Google form on the link above

Breadwinners: Supports refugees 17+ with newly received status who are struggling to find work by providing opportunities for their first employment in the UK.

- Link: https://www.breadwinners.org.uk/breadwinners
- Contact: 079526 538298 (Charlotte)

Our Second Home is a youth movement that helps migrants and refugees flourish in the place they call home focusing on ages 14-18. They offer:
 summer and winter residential programmes
 leadership training programmes
 COVID-19 hardship fund
 Online Zoom activities (jointly with DOST Centre) such as art, homework, IT skills and sport
 Email: info@oursecondhome.org.uk
 Website: https://www.oursecondhome.org.uk/
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OSHOurSecondHome/

RAMFEL (Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London) supports vulnerable migrants through several services such as support with immigration, integration, housing and welfare benefits advice, yoga classes and destitution support. They are based in Ilford IG1 1QP and are not taking new referrals until 11th January 2021.#
 Advice line for new clients (Tues & Thurs, 10:00-13:00 on 02070525212)
 Website: https://www.ramfel.org.uk/

USEFUL BOOKS/GUIDES

RESOURCES FOR CARERS/GUARDIANS

The National Association of Language Development in the Curriculum (NALDIC) has EAL guidance specifically for refugee and asylum seeker children in the UK. It covers how to support refugee families, emotional wellbeing of refugees, teaching and learning about refugees, good practice for play, leisure, and extended school activities, and how to support unaccompanied refugee children.
 Link: https://www.naldic.org.uk/eal-teaching-and-learning/outline-guidance/ealrefugee/

Amnesty UK empowers students to defend the rights of refugees with education resources such as Activity packs, books and activities. They are all helpful in encouraging discussion around the refugee crisis and to increase awareness and understanding.
 Link: https://www.amnesty.org.uk/education-resources-refugee-asylum-immigration

Educational Interventions for Refugee Children: Theoretical Perspectives and Implementing Best Practice by Richard Hamilton and Dennis Moore (recommended by NALDIC)

Educational Interventions for Refugee Children identifies school-based interventions, whilst suggesting methods and measures with which to assess the efficacy of such programmes. It also develops a useful model that provides a standard for assessing refugee experience.

In the Midst of the Whirlwind: A Manual for Helping Refugee Children by Naomi Richman (recommended by NALDIC)

Designed specifically for teachers and social workers and health workers, this manual offers practical guidance on all aspects of provision and responses to the situations and the needs of refugee children.

A guide to understanding refugee trauma for school personnel by The National Child Traumatic Stress Network - https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/refugee-trauma/nctsn-resources?page=2.

They also have a resource guide (https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources//children_of_war_guide_for_educators.pdf) accompanying the Children of War documentary (https://www.nctsn.org/resources/children-war-video-educators) of ways teachers can help refugee students, schools can help refugee families, and effects of traumatic stress on performance.
 Website: https://www.nctsn.org/
RESOURCES FOR SOCIAL WORKERS & OTHER PROFESSIONALS

Fosterline is a free confidential helpline for foster carers and prospective foster carers in England. They support foster carers by providing impartial, objective Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Unaccompanied Minors Resources advice and information and support to foster carers about a range of issues including:
 Safeguarding issues
 Allegations and complaints against foster carers or family members
 “Standards of care” concerns
 Reviews and terminations of approval
 Appeals to the IRM
 Referral to the Disclosure & Barring Service
 Concerns about young people leaving care or being moved from placement
 Children’s Rights
Website: https://www.fosterline.info/
Telephone: 0800 040 7675 Email: enquiries@fosterline.info

After the Event: Supporting children after a frightening event

This leaflet is designed to help adults to understand how children and young people might react to frightening events, and to give some ideas of what might help: https://a6824c27-7b0f-46d5-aa7e-21f81475ac8f.filesusr.com/ugd/06268f_6d14ab06f6bc49b6ab3cb08cb6600c93.pdf

Supporting children and young people involved in major trauma: advice for parents, caregivers and teachers
A leaflet produced by some of the UK's leading trauma experts.  Link: https://a6824c27-7b0f-46d5-aa7e-21f81475ac8f.filesusr.com/ugd/06268f_1e8268bebe854b6fbbcfd354220e9958.pdf

Children and Families Across Borders (CFAB) supports children on the move between the UK and other countries and children who are separated from their family in another country. They offer:
 An advice line for professionals on a range of complex international child protection issues
 Virtual contact supervision
 Other services and their prices can be found here http://cfab-cms.bitmachine.co.uk/sites/default/files/2018-06/CFAB-Service%20Charges%20July%202018.pdf
 Website: http://cfab.org.uk/
 Email: info@cfab.org.uk
 Telephone: 020 7735 8941 (for advice line and reception)

Host Nation connects adult refugees with host communities and have a general list of resources across the nation.
 Link: https://www.hostnation.org.uk/links.pdf
 Website: https://www.hostnation.org.uk/

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health UK has guidance for practitioners on refugee and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people.  Link: https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/refugee-unaccompanied-asylum-seeking-children-young-people

Refugee Council has resources for practitioners including asylum process journey, language identifications charts, guide on access to further education, and leaflets on trafficked children, age disputes, and youth development.
 Link: https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/resource-category/guide-for-practitioners/

Explaining the Rationale for Trauma-Focused Work: Why it’s Good to Talk
A brief document to help professionals explain how trauma focussed work can be helpful.
 Link: https://370ebed6-8a66-420b-a576-c10c79e84fc4.filesusr.com/ugd/06268f_69c65056a52a472482004bc4f010e0f5.pdf