Northumberland County of Sanctuary was established in October 2016, in response to the increase in the number of people seeking asylum arriving in Northumberland.
The charity’s work extends to other areas; however, it has also responded to and helped coordinate the welcome of refugees from Ukraine.
We run drop-ins in Ashington, Bedlington and Blyth. We reach about 320 people regularly. We have members who come every week, many of whom are also volunteers, who benefit from the social as well as practical support, and others who come for a specific reason, to speak to one of the many agencies now attending the Drop-in.
The main purpose of the Drop ins to provide a welcome to all asylum seekers arriving in Northumberland. This we do by simply being there, greeting people, and offering refreshments of tea, coffee, juice and snacks, initially.
Other agencies that support our members now have a regular presence at the Drop-in:
Mears is the housing association which accommodates our members until they get Leave to Remain, or who lose their case, which means their support is stopped- sometimes temporarily until appeals or reviews get back on track. Increasingly NCOS is having to find ways of supporting people through these difficult times financially as well as with signposting to agencies who can help, but we are also continue to develop a positive relationship with the Mears team working on the ground, who support those they house and who really want the best for them in spite of the difficulties posed by a complex and unforgiving system where bureaucratic mistakes can cause great misery.
The Northumberland County Council Resettlement Team come every week, and gives advice and support to those who receive Leave to Remain. (LTR).
They have now joined the Employability and Inclusion team at NCC, which can advise people with LTR on finding employment.
Northumberland Community Police have a strong presence at the Drop-in. It has been so encouraging to see how getting to know individual officers has enabled our members to engage with the police that would be unthinkable in their home countries.
We developed a connection with the Public Health Team.
The development of these very productive relationships demonstrates the value of personal connection, and we are delighted that this aspect of our service is being extended.
Obviously, people’s situations are so complex that we cannot provide all the support at the drop-in, but volunteers can signpost members to appropriate services. We have two volunteers who have close links with schools and with the Traveller, Refugee and Asylum team at Northumbria County Council.
Our Drop-ins are relaxed, and we provide games, craft activities, and refreshments. This is a chance for people to come together and socialise. It’s always good to see people from different countries and communities enjoying time together.
– Quote from a person seeking sanctuary in Northumberland.
One of our volunteer members, represented NCOS at two high profile Northumbria Police events, having got involved through contributing a wonderful painting of a Sudanese king to Black History month. His painting was hung in the Foyer of their HQ, and we attended a Northumbria Police Ethnic Minority Association event there in November. Following this, Almothana was invited to a Northumbria Police Community Police Community Cohesion Breakfast at the Civic Hall, with Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth, in January of this year. Put in events?
One of our members is taking part in a project Lucia now involved in “Northumberland Experiences”, a project to find out what it is really like to live in Northumberland today, run by Newcastle University. She is now part of a group of local researchers and is receiving training for her new role.