Asylum support in Birmingham

Local support for asylum seekers

As a City of Sanctuary, we welcome and support people seeking asylum.

To prevent homelessness and promote resettlement and integration, we work with:

  • Serco
  • the Home Office
  • West Midlands Police
  • NHS
  • voluntary sector organisations
  • other local partners

Online directories of services

Migrant Advice Portal

Visit the Migrant Advice Portal for advice about health, education, legal, and social issues.

This website is fully translatable into most languages.

The Waiting Room (TWR)

TWR is a health and wellbeing directory of resources.

Food Justice Network

Use the Food Justice Network map to find where to get free or cheap food including:

  • foodbanks and pantries
  • community cafes
  • pay-as-you-feel for cooked food

Warm Welcome Spaces

Warm Welcome Spaces provide free, safe, and warm places where people can go if their house is too cold in winter.

You can also:

  • charge your mobile device
  • use the internet
  • get advice and support

Health and wellbeing services

Be Active scheme

The Be Active scheme provides free fitness activities in our wellbeing centres for all Birmingham residents including:

  • swimming
  • group exercise classes
  • gym sessions at certain times during the day

To get a membership card, asylum seekers need a letter on official letterhead paper confirming residential status and signed by the manager of your accommodation.

Contact your local wellbeing centre to find out more and book an appointment to become a Be Active member.

Find locations and contact details for wellbeing centres with the Be Active scheme

Freedom from Torture

Freedom from Torture provide specialist psychological therapy to help people who have survived torture.

The Homeless Health Exchange

The Homeless Health Exchange provides help for health concerns of people who are homeless and who moved to Birmingham as refugees or asylum seekers. You can get appointments to speak to a doctor or nurse.

Education services

School attendance

All children under 16 years old must attend school.

For advice about school places contact the school admissions service:

Learning English for adults – ESOL Hub

The ESOL hub provides information about English classes for adults.

It will help you find out what course you need and who can provide it.

Support groups and charities

There are many organisations across Birmingham providing services to asylum-seekers and refugees.

Refugee and Migrant Centre

Visit the Refugee and Migrant Centre for information, advice and guidance on immigration, housing or homelessness, benefits, education, and health.

Drop-in:

  • Days and times: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00am to 1:00pm
  • Place: Refugee and Migrant Centre, Second Floor, Chamberlain Building, 36 Frederick Street, Birmingham. B1 3HN

Journey LGBT+ Asylum Group

The Journey LGBT+ Asylum Group is a support group for LGBT+ asylum seekers who live in Birmingham and West Midlands.

St Chad’s Sanctuary

St Chad’s Sanctuary provides free clothes, hygiene supplies, items for children and babies, and food parcels.

  • Drop in: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:30am to 1:30pm at 72-74 Shadwell Street, B4 6HA. Bring your ID card or Home Office letter.
  • Email: info@stchadssanctuary.com
  • WhatsApp: 07898 062 765

British Red Cross

British Red Cross offers emergency help, one-to-one support and casework, special services for children and families, and family reunions. They work with young asylum seekers to help them understand the UK better.

Sanctuary Grants

The government introduced the Asylum Dispersal Fund in 2022. The fund supports councils to address concerns about pressure on local services associated with supporting asylum seekers.

To decide how to best use the funding, we held consultations with voluntary sector organisations representing asylum seekers.

In 2024 we introduced our Sanctuary Grant scheme. So far, 14 organisations have received a grant to provide support services to asylum seekers living in Birmingham.

Page last updated: 25 July 2024

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