Current Situation
Asylum seekers
The largest groups of asylum seekers in Newcastle are from Iran, Iraq, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Your Homes Newcastle, a company controlled by Newcastle City Council, provides accommodation for the majority of asylum seekers dispersed to Newcastle along with two other private companies: the Angel Housing Group and the Kimberely Housing Group.
There are less than 2,500 asylum seekers in Newcastle - that's less than 1% of the city's population. Newcastle City Council has an arrangement with the Government to provide accomodation for asylum seekers. There are also private accomodation providers who between them will accommodate more people than the Council.
Refugees
There is also a significant population people who have been granted refugee status living in Newcastle, many of whom were dispersed to the city under what was NASS, and subsequently gained refugee status and decided to remain in the city and the most established communities include Bosnian, Iranian and African Communities
There are several RCOs (refugee community organisations) in Newcastle working with a variety of refugee communities. Examples include:
The Iranian Centre North East provides services for Farsi speaking refugees and asylum seekers. Services including advocacy, education support, sports and womens' sessions and language support classes
ACANE (African Community Advice North East) Drop-in Centre was officially opened in June 2003 for African communities living in the North East. The centre supports African communities as well as assisting the smooth integration of African refugees including asylum seekers.
The Youth African Initiative provides support services to young African refugees and asylum seekers.
Key Organisations
The North East Strategic Migration Partnership (NESMP) formerly the North East Consortium for Asylum Seekers and Refugees (NECAR) is a partnership of organisations in the North East from the statutory, voluntary, community and private sectors. All organisations have some involvement with matters relating to:
- asylum seekers
- refused asylum seekers
- refugees
- migrants
NESMP carries as an 'enabling role' trying to ensure that agencies across the region provide appropriate and accessible advice, services and support for asylum seekers, refused asylum seekers, new refugees and migrants.
The Asylum Seekers' Unit at Your Homes Newcastle, a company controlled by Newcastle City Council, is responsible for providing advice, support and accommodation to the majority of the asylum seekers dispersed to the Newcastle under the current UKBA contract. The Asylum Seekers' Unit was established in 1999 and works with other service providers in Newcastle. The Asylum Seekers' Unit also offers a ‘Refugee Move-On Service' that provides support and guidance to people who have chosen to stay in Newcastle after receiving the right to remain in the UK
The North of England Refugee Service (NERS) was established in 1989 and works with refugees and asylum seekers in the North East of England, with offices in Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesborough. NERS offers a wide range of practical support services in many areas: employment, training, volunteering, youth activities, mentoring and community participation. Since 2000 NERS has been operating the ‘One Stop Service' contract in the North East. This is a general advice service that is available to all dispersed asylum seekers. NERS is also actively engaged in policy and campaigning work.
The West End Refugee Service (WERS) is a charity working with refugees and asylum seekers in the West End of Newcastle and was established in 1998. WERS runs a befriending scheme, organises drop-in sessions and as well as working closely with destitute refugees.
The Regional Refugee Forum North East is a membership organisation for the many Refugee Community Organisations that have been set up in the area. The forum works to build the capacity of these organisations and is also involved in policy and campaigning work.
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Last Updated: 16/02/10
