ALM assistance for refugees in Merseyside

Assistance is available at Asylum Link Merseyside from their drop in centre. The organisation provides support to newcomers to the county of Merseyside, specifically refugees and those that are from other countries and that are seeking asylum. Whether is is basic needs such as free food or clothing, or advice or casework, the staff at ALM may offer the support needed.

The location is open Monday to Thursday in Liverpool. This is where information is provided from as well as the services that the charity provides people. The staff at ALM will meet with the client to understand what their need is and then assist accordingly using the programmes below.

Food as well as clothing or practical support

If the family is living in poverty and has no savings, then they may be provided free clothes. Those refugees with some source of income will need to be the items they need from ALM, and the drop in centre sells goods on Wednesday afternoons. What may be for sale can also include furniture, bedding, and other items to help a tenant move into a new flat.

The Asylum Link Merseyside drop in centre provides a hot meal to those from the city. During this time-frame they can learn more on all of the programmes run by the charity. For refugees that are destitute, then can either be given a free parcel of groceries or a voucher to a local food bank in Merseyside. ALM is always involved in signposting clients to these centres.

The food parcels are only given out on Thursdays. What is provided will depend on what has been donated from the community, but the aim is to provide short term support to the destitute.

Refugees can receive free furniture from ALM as well. While this can be sold (along with clothes) in some cases the organisation will pass out items such as beds, second-hand furniture, mattresses, bedding, and other goods. If someone needs help in getting it set up or delivered in their new home, then that can be provided as well to clients for a small fee.

Other practical support is in the form of social events. Many refugees do not know where to turn to for those special events, so Asylum Link Merseyside arranges for activities at Christmas or other times of the year. There will even be trips to local sites arranged by the volunteers.

Casework services from ALM

The assistance below will help the person acclimate to both the UK as well as the Merseyside County area. All of the advice is provided for free to clients and it is also confidential. The main programmes are noted below.

• There is help for applications for citizenship.
• Free advice is given for those seeking asylum as part of OISC level 1.
• Solicitors based in Liverpool provide ALM clients clients with free advice on their challenges.
• Social support includes the healthy eating programme, Oral Hygiene, bike repairs, cooking classes and more.

Asylum Link Merseyside will always provide casework as well to residents. This covers any number of needs. They can refer refugees to programmes such as housing benefits, welfare, or food banks. This service is provided until 4pm on the days when the drop in centre is open.

As part of the case management, ALM wants refugees to gain stability and acclimate to Liverpool. One key to do this is to get a job, so the organisation offers services to help with this. One key programme which is run by volunteers is the English Classes. They also partner with Liverpool Community College on other job and education programmes.

Asylum Link Merseyside is located inside of St Anne’s Centre. The volunteers are at the location from Monday to Thursday. For more information, the address is 7 Overbury Street in Liverpool.