Refugee Information and Support
Refugee Specialist Support
eVisa
Welsh Refugee Council, 120-122, Broadway, Adamsdown, Cardiff. CF24 1NJ
Tel: 0808 196 7273
https://wrc.wales/wales-evisa-support/
Email: evisa@services.wrc.wales
Open Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 12:30pm and from 2:00pm to 5:00pm - please call or email for an appointment.
All refugees are now required to set up UKVI accounts and apply for an eVisa. Information regarding this will be sent to you when you receive your refugee status. If you received your refugee status before 31st October 2024 you will still need to set up an account as your BRP will have expired.
In Wales, WRC have the contract to assist refugees with this. Please contact them for an appointment if you need assistance.
Further support is available here: https://www.gov.uk/assisted-digital-help-online-applications-evisas
British Red Cross
https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/get-help-as-a-refugee
FRES - Family Reunion Enquiries Service
Tel: 07834 496 781 or Email: FRAdvice@redcross.org.uk
For advice on applying for Refugee Family Reunion.
Family Reunion Integration Service
Tel: 01633 720 000 and press Option 4 or Email: FamilyReunionCymru@redcross.org.uk
If you have refugee status, and have obtained a visa for your family to come to the UK, the British Red Cross may be able to support you with travel tickets and support you through and after the process.
International Family Tracing Service
Tel: 01633 720 000 and press Option 5 or Email: SEWalesIFT@redcross.org.uk
Help with looking for your family members and help with locating or contacting them.
DASPS - Destitution
Tel: 01633 720 000 and press Option 1 or Email: DASPSWales@redcross.org.uk
Destitution Support: Crisis Fund applications, BRC cash support, food provision referrals, Clothing provision referrals, emergency provisions.
Cardiff Health Inclusion Service
Tel: 01633 720 000 and press Option 2 or Email: CardiffRefugeeHealth@redcross.org.uk
Support with registering with or accessing a GP, dentist or other health services.
VOICES Network
Tel: 01633 720 000 or Email: voices@redcross.org.uk
VOICES is a network of refugees and people seeking asylum who want to use their lived experience to help change minds, change policy and change practice. The British Red Cross facilitates, empowers and supports VOICES Ambassadors to speak from their personal lived experience.
Move On Project at WRC
Welsh Refugee Council, 120-122, Broadway, Adamsdown, Cardiff. CF24 1NJ
Tel: 0808 196 7273
http://welshrefugeecouncil.org.uk/
Open Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 12:30pm and from 2:00pm to 5:00pm - please call for an appointment.
The Move On Project provides specialist support, advice and guidance to individuals who have been granted refugee status or other forms of leave to remain within the asylum system. Support includes applying for benefits, looking for housing, and referrals to training programmes to assist refugees into employment.
Oasis
69B Splott Road, Splott, Cardiff. CF24 2BW
Tel: 029 2046 0424
Email: info@oasiscardiff.org
Monday to Thursday from 9:30am to 4:00pm
Friday from 9:30am to 3:00pm
Oasis has specialist Integration Officers who provide support, advice and guidance to those who have recently received their Refugee status and other forms of Leave to Remain. Drop in or call to see a Triage Worker or to make an appointment.
WARD (Wales Asylum Seeker & Refugee Doctor & Dentist’s Group) - DPIA
Hastings House, Fitzalan Pl, Cardiff. CF24 0BL
Tel: 029 2078 9733
Contact : Sarah Allen, WARD Project Manager - sarah@dpia.org.uk - 07496 840 479
The goal of WARD is to assist doctors and dentists across Wales to register with the General Medical Council (GMC) and achieve a career within the NHS. Some of the things the project does includes:
- Run weekly IELTS/OET language classes from their Cardiff office
- Cover the costs of PLAB1, PLAB2 and IELTS/OET examinations
- Provide support for PLAB1 and PLAB2 medical examinations
- Provide access to study materials and textbooks, medical mannequins and instruments for practice.
- Facilitate entry to the BMA Refugee Doctor Initiative
- Allocation of and induction to Supernumerary posts
- Assistance with GMC registration
WARD has been running since 2002, and to date 207 doctors and dentists have benefitted from the project.
Housing Support
As well as accessing specialist support for refugees, there are a number of organisations that provide housing support to anyone, including refugees.
Riverside Advice
41a Lower Cathedral Rd, Riverside, Cardiff. CF11 6LW
Tel: 029 2034 1577
https://riverside-advice.co.uk/
Call to book an appointment - lines open Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Riverside Advice can support with housing, benefit and debt issues. Specialising in supporting vulnerable people, carers and cared for and people with mental health issues.
Shelter Cymru
Tel: 08000 495 495
Call to speak to an advisor - lines open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm
or complete the online form on their website.
Shelter Cymru offer free, confidential and independent information, advice and support to help people identify the best options to prevent homelessness, to find and keep a home and to help them take control of their own lives.
Speakeasy Law Centre
166 Richmond Road, Roath, Cardiff. CF24 3BX
Tel: 029 2045 3111
Email: info@speakeasy.cymru
Call or email to book an appointment.
Speakeasy Law Centre provide free legal advice across Cardiff & the Vale of Glamorgan, tackling social welfare issues including housing, welfare benefits, debt, and employment law.
Employment Support
As well as accessing specialist support for refugees, there are a number of organisations that provide employment support to anyone, including refugees. Your assigned Job Centre should also assist if you are claiming benefits.
Careers Wales
Cardiff Careers Centre, Unit 4, Churchill House, 17 Churchill Way, Cardiff. CF10 2HH
Tel: 0800 028 4844
https://careerswales.gov.wales/
Email: post@careerswales.gov.wales
Call or email to book an appointment or for more information.
Careers Wales can help you to plan your career, prepare to get a job, and find and apply for the right apprenticeships, courses and training.
Into Work Advice Service
Based in libraries and Hubs across Cardiff
Tel: 029 2087 1071
https://www.intoworkcardiff.co.uk/
Email: intoworkadviceservice@cardiff.gov.uk
Call or email to book an appointment or for more information.
The Into Work Service provides employment and digital support to individuals actively seeking employment or looking to upskill. They offer one to one support from job clubs across Cardiff and intensive mentoring support through externally funded projects and volunteering opportunities.
Support provided by the Into Work Service includes:
CVs, job search, job application, interview skills, applying for benefits, access to funding for training and removing final barriers i.e. childcare costs, interview clothing, work skills training (accredited and non-accredited), and digital support to people living in Cardiff.