Welsh Refugee Council

The Welsh Refugee Council is an independent charity to the Refugee Council and Scottish Refugee Council, and works to help sanctuary seekers and refugees in Wales.

About
The Welsh Refugee Council (WRC) is a Wales-based charity committed to protecting the rights of sanctuary seekers and refugees (RASs) in Wales. Since 1990, the organisation has provided advice, information and practical support to sanctuary seekers and refugees as they navigate the UK immigration system and transition into their new life in Wales. The organisation speaks out and supports those fleeing persecution, conflict, and various forms of injustice.

A pan-Wales charity with community hubs in Cardiff, Wrexham, Swansea and Newport.

Work
Advice and support for sanctuary Seekers through the Asylum Rights Programme:
 * ensuring that people seeking asylum know their rights and have support, where and when needed, to claim them.
 * ensuring that professionals working with people seeking asylum understand the needs of the people they are supporting, as well as their role in contributing to a Wales where rights are enjoyed.
 * informing and influencing public understanding about the right to asylum and the benefits of welcoming people in need to Wales.
 * specialist para-legal advice to women asylum seekers on violence against women and girls encouraging them to talk through their experiences with a skilled professional who listens and guide where appropriate and where possible, use their experiences to help strengthen their asylum claim.
 * weekly play sessions for asylum-seeking children and their families in Cardiff and Newport with regular outings and day trips in collaboration with sector organisations and arts and crafts groups.

Advice and support for Refugees through the Move on Project to help with
 * preventing homelessness and tenancy support
 * housing after being moved from asylum accommodation support
 * access to benefits
 * rights and entitlements of refugees
 * ensuring that individuals have the correct documentation to facilitate the transition from asylum seeker to refugee
 * access to employment, healthcare and education
 * family reunion

History
In January 2011, the UK Border Agency announced funding cuts for the Welsh Refugee Council, along with other refugee agencies across the country. It is thought that the One Stop Service, which provides advice to asylum seekers and refugees in Wales could face cuts of 62%. Whilst, the Welsh Refugee Council welcomes the decision by the UK Minister of Immigration, Damien Green, to extend funding until early 2013, it remains anxious over the potential impact of spending cuts on the services it offers vulnerable people in urgent need of aid and assistance.

In its response to planned cutbacks, the Welsh Refugee Council issued a joint statement with its counterparts in England and Scotland: "Savage cuts to the refugee charity sector will force people who have already fled torture, conflict and persecution in their own countries to suffer even further while seeking safety in the UK."

Partnership Work
The Welsh Refugee Council works in formal partnership with Ethnic Youth Support Team, Tros Gynnal Plant, BAWSO, Displaced People in Action, Oasis and Migrant Help.

The WRC holds the Coalition Coordinator post for the Welsh Refugee Coalition, a member body of 53 organisations working to support sanctuary seekers and refugees in Wales.

Awards and accolades

 * Garfield Weston Award 2023,
 * Trusted Charity Quality Mark Level 1
 * Charity Film Awards 2023
 * Female CEO of the year for Wales, 2022,
 * WCVA Organisation of the Year 2023,
 * Walter Dicky Leadership Award 2023.

In 2021 the Welsh Refugee Council, with Scotland Refugee Council and England Refugee Council were one of the Times Christmas charities in their Christmas Appeal, and in 2023 they partnered together again as one of the Guardian & Observer newspaper's Christmas Charities.