We are responsible for liaising with households on an ongoing basis for as long as they occupy their property and until a decision is made on each person’s asylum application.  The decisions on asylum applications are made by the Home Office and we have no involvement in the decision making process.

We visit each and every household at least every 4 weeks to ensure that all property repairs are complete and to offer our assistance to resolve any problems.

We offer our support to victims of racist harassment and procedures are in place to effectively help with such problems. This includes working with Community Housing Offices, Police, ARCH (Agencies against Racist Crime and Harassment), Victim Support and YHN's Anti-Social Behaviour Unit.

We will continue to develop local links as the households look to establish themselves in the community.  This is increasingly required as more and more clients are wishing to stay and establish their futures within Newcastle.

For a fuller description of the types of support we provide please see page 14 of our 2006/07 annual report (pdf).

Drop in sessions for asylum seekers and refugees in Newcastle

You can see your Support Officer at your local drop in sessions. 

Walker area

• What we do: Drop in for advice or information from your ASU Support Officer
• Where: Common Ground, Church Walk House, Church Walk Shopping Centre, Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 3DW
• When: Every Wednesday 11.00am - 12 noon

Byker area

• What we do: Drop in for advice or information from your ASU Support Officer
• Where: Byker Community Housing Office, 45/47 Brinkburn Street, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1QN
• When: Every Tuesday 12.15 p.m. – 1.15 p.m.

Benwell area

• What we do: Drop in for advice or information from your ASU Support Officer.  The drop in is an initiative of the Hexham and Newcastle Diocesan Justice and Peace Co-ordinating Council.  They also offer refreshments, relaxed chat in shared languages, games and English language practice
• Where: St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Armstrong Road, Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 6JL
• When: Every Wednesday 1.00 p.m. – 3.00 p.m.

Kenton area

• What we do: Drop in for advice or information from your ASU Support Officer.  The drop in is an initiative of the Hexham and Newcastle Diocesan Justice and Peace Co-ordinating Council.  They also offer refreshments, relaxed chat in shared languages, games and English language practice
• Where: St Cuthbert’s RC Church, Balmain Road, North Kenton, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3QR
• When: Every Monday  2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.

Drop in for our Section 4 clients

• What we do: Drop in for advice or information from your ASU Support Officer
• Where: Civic Centre Customer Service Centre, Sandyford Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8PU
• When: Every Monday 2.00pm - 4.00pm

Drop in for our Social Services clients (Adult and Children’s Services)

• What we do: Drop in for advice or information from your ASU Support Officer
• Where: Civic Centre Customer Service Centre, Sandyford Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8PU
• When: Every Tuesday 9.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m.

Click here for a list of drop in sessions organised by other groups.