REFUGEE & ASYLUM SEEKER ADVOCACY FORUM
The Advocacy Forum is there to promote the voices of refugees and people seeking asylum in Wales, creating a space for meanigful discussions on improving access and quality of services they receive.
What is the project?
DPIA’s Refugee and Asylum Seeker Advocacy Forums are a space for refugees and asylum seekers to discuss their experiences and opinions on issues such as Healthcare, Housing, Education and Asylum Support. We invite relevant organisations to come and join us so that through hearing these voices they can better understand how they may improve their services.
How does it work?
The Advocacy Forums were first set up in early 2010, and are currently funded as part of the Wales Sanctuary Service, a partnership of six organisations who have been funded by the Welsh Government to promote and ensure the rights of people seeking asylum in Wales.
These forums are only possible due to the hard work and dedication of our ‘Advocacy Champions’, a team of volunteers who themselves are from Asylum seeking and refugee backgrounds. Our volunteers not only help with the practicalities of running forums, but are a key part of steering and guiding discussion and putting key questions to invited guests.
Who we have spoken to:
- The Home Office
- Clearsprings
- Migrant Help
- Cardiff Health Access Practice
- Housing Options
- REACH ESOL & RESTART
- Cardiff City Council
- Cardiff University
- University of South Wales
- Cardiff Met University
- Gower College
- Coleg Gwent
- Cardiff and Vale College
- Lift the Ban
- Local MPs
“Thank you for this opportunity to speak about our problems and for listening to our cries.”
~ Asylum Seeker in Healthcare Forum
“We wanted to hear from people with direct lived experience and got some really rich information… it will help us not only in creating our leaflets, but in making them accessible and appropriate.”
~ Solicitors Regulation Authority
How can I join?
Transport costs and mobile data to attend are provided. If you will need level access, large print, or have any other accessibility needs, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
All refugees and asylum seekers across Wales are welcome to join us! These forums currently run once a month both online through Zoom, and in person in our Cardiff offices.
Get in touch!
Sam Allen | Advocacy and Training Coordinator | sam@dpia.org.uk | 07496 840 479
Keep up to date! We run a monthly email newsletter which you can receive by emailing ‘Subscribe’ to sam@dpia.org.uk
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