Non-profit organisations are being offered up to £100,000 in grant funding to work with Hackney’s Refugees, Migrants and Asylum Seekers team. The programme will span 12 months with aims to help provide services such as education, healthcare and social opportunities for asylum seekers.
This follows Hackney Council’s identification of major issues faced by asylum seekers, such as income and language barriers.
In Hackney alone, there are around 800 people seeking asylum, having migrated from over 58 different countries. With decisions on asylum grants sometimes taking years to be determined, the new grant focuses on alleviating the struggles in the interim period.
The borough has a history of initiating help for asylum seekers. More recently, Hackney Council and its residents have contributed to housing and helping people who have fled conflict in countries such as Syria and Ukraine.
A positive step
The Hackney CVS migrant forum stated that the refugee organisations in the borough had a “grassroots understanding” of the trials faced by asylum seekers.
Refugee and Migrant Coordinator at the organisation, Soraya Akrouche, says the funding will be announced on the 31st of January to all relevant organisations across the sector.
She said: “Hackney is a borough known for its multiculturalism, diversity and tolerance. This initiative is a response to the commitment of local authority not only towards the principles we collectively stand for but for those seeking peace and safety in our community.”
Councillor Carole Williams, Cabinet Member for Employment, Human Resources and Equalities told City News that she is “proud” of Hackney for taking steps to “provide crucial support to asylum seekers in hotels and dispersed accommodations across the borough.”
Councillors backed a motion to make Hackney an official Borough Of Sanctuary in July 2023. This formed part of a national initiative to create a network of locations in the UK that “proudly” accommodate refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
Cllr Williams says she is “grateful” for the support she received from other councillors and for the “dedication of the Refugee, Migrant and Asylum Seeker team” in creating a safe environment for everybody.
Cllr Williams believes that the motion “underscores [our] commitment to lobbying the government for reforms”. She will be leading the council in urging for reconsideration of the key commitments highlighted by the Windrush Compensation Scheme.
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Standfirst
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HeadlineHackney Council introduces new investment scheme to support asylum seekers
Short HeadlineNew Hackney Council service for asylum seekers
StandfirstThe service hopes to build better relationships between asylum seekers and grassroot organisations.
Non-profit organisations are being offered up to £100,000 in grant funding to work with Hackney’s Refugees, Migrants and Asylum Seekers team. The programme will span 12 months with aims to help provide services such as education, healthcare and social opportunities for asylum seekers.
This follows Hackney Council’s identification of major issues faced by asylum seekers, such as income and language barriers.
In Hackney alone, there are around 800 people seeking asylum, having migrated from over 58 different countries. With decisions on asylum grants sometimes taking years to be determined, the new grant focuses on alleviating the struggles in the interim period.
The borough has a history of initiating help for asylum seekers. More recently, Hackney Council and its residents have contributed to housing and helping people who have fled conflict in countries such as Syria and Ukraine.
A positive step
The Hackney CVS migrant forum stated that the refugee organisations in the borough had a “grassroots understanding” of the trials faced by asylum seekers.
Refugee and Migrant Coordinator at the organisation, Soraya Akrouche, says the funding will be announced on the 31st of January to all relevant organisations across the sector.
She said: “Hackney is a borough known for its multiculturalism, diversity and tolerance. This initiative is a response to the commitment of local authority not only towards the principles we collectively stand for but for those seeking peace and safety in our community.”
Councillor Carole Williams, Cabinet Member for Employment, Human Resources and Equalities told City News that she is “proud” of Hackney for taking steps to “provide crucial support to asylum seekers in hotels and dispersed accommodations across the borough.”
Councillors backed a motion to make Hackney an official Borough Of Sanctuary in July 2023. This formed part of a national initiative to create a network of locations in the UK that “proudly” accommodate refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
Cllr Williams says she is “grateful” for the support she received from other councillors and for the “dedication of the Refugee, Migrant and Asylum Seeker team” in creating a safe environment for everybody.
Cllr Williams believes that the motion “underscores [our] commitment to lobbying the government for reforms”. She will be leading the council in urging for reconsideration of the key commitments highlighted by the Windrush Compensation Scheme.
