Welcome to Refugee Action Kingston
For over 30 years, Refugee Action Kingston has welcomed people seeking sanctuary in SW London, empowering them to thrive and pursue their full potential.
Refugee Action Kingston was established in 1991 to support refugees of all backgrounds living in Kingston upon Thames and the surrounding boroughs. We help refugees to integrate, live fulfilling, independent lives and become recognised and active participants in their local communities.
Refugees face multiple challenges arriving in the UK and we deliver a range of programmes and services that support people to settle and feel part of the community. Some of the challenges faced by asylum seekers include limited income, unstable or unsuitable housing, poor physical health, a lack of social connections, loneliness, mental health issues and no legal & welfare advice. We help people to learn English, make friends, access quality advice around immigration, welfare and careers. We offer Counselling and well being services to support our client community to piece back together all the important parts of their lives.
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The past few years have seen an unprecedented number of international crises, which have pushed the need to support refugees and asylum seekers to centre stage. People seeking asylum in the UK have been forced to make dangerous journeys, fleeing war, oppressive regimes, natural disasters and climate change.
These events have led to an outpouring of public support. But conditions of suffering, war and persecution continue in many other places, driving movements of refugees whose needs and legitimacy must be championed amid often hostile coverage of asylum issues. Refugee Action Kingston’s service has been affected by increasing numbers of newly arrived asylum seekers being housed in local hotels in Kingston.
The need to adapt to meet the challenges faced by new arrivals, and the unique needs that they present, has prompted changes across the organisation. Refugee Action Kingston is committed to providing advice and wellbeing support to single people, couples and families making an asylum claim. This is a period of great insecurity and hardship for many people and Refugee Action Kingston continues to meet the needs of refugees and asylum seekers in Kingston and Southwest London.
Our philosophy is that all refugees and asylum seekers deserve equal treatment, regardless of where they are from or how they arrived here. Take a look at our strategy here.
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• Advice and advocacy to ensure are clients under their rights and get the right outcomes, with legal advice, housing and welfare support
• Education and employment we deliver ESOL classes, educational support for children & young people as well as careers advice for adults.
• Support with physical and mental health we deliver therapeutic services as well as well being support to support clients to build resilience.
Over the past year, more than 1500 clients benefited from at least one of our services, with many receiving multiple areas of support. This is delivered through our staff team, but also underpinned by our fantastic team of active volunteers.
RAK delivers a holistic service through our Community Hub, combining activities and English practice, therapeutic and wellbeing services, legal and welfare advice & advocacy from community venues in Kingston upon Thames and surrounding boroughs.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of refugees and asylum-seekers? Join with Refugee Action Kingston in our mission to provide advice and support, and opportunity to those in need. Whether through volunteering, donating or even joining our team, together we can create a world where everyone has the chance to live free from fear and oppression.
