Lifeline Destitution Service
Crisis intervention for destitute or insecurely housed people fleeing war and persecution providing beneficiaries with breathing space to overcome a crisis and rebuild their lives quickly.
Proactive advice, casework and representation
The service consists of a highly proactive crisis intervention advice service focusing on getting people proper legal support, access to housing and crisis support.
Lifeline Advice Service
The Lifeline Service plays a leading role in assisting those who are at risk of eviction and/or are experiencing long delays in their asylum cases, and have general housing or human rights concerns because of Mears or Migrant Help (Home Office subcontractors).
As well as Glasgow, the Service operates in other towns and cities across Scotland.
It provides telephone, video and in person appointments for advice, information and practical support to refused asylum seekers who are at risk of destitution and need assistance with identifying their options, Section 4 applications, finding legal support and accessing crisis suport and/or shelter.
The service also provides self help resources, links to refugee support uk wide and briefings, all of which are accessible 24/7 on our "get help now" page on this site.
Volunteers also assist those who are especially vulnerable on a day to day level, providing pastoral support and practical help.
Room for Refugees
Providing shelter through volunteer hosts for destitute refugees and asylum seekers, including newly granted refugees.
In 2022/23, Room for Refugees provided hosted shelter for 610 refugee households (1,173 total beneficiaries) in the homes or accommodation of our volunteers.
Emergency Relief Fund
Aimed at those suffering severe hardship as a result of destitution or disaster.
In 2022/23, the Emergency Relief Fund distributed hundreds of emergency crisis grants totaling £178K to families and individuals in need.
From 2024 onwards, we will consider requests, subject to availability, for help with clothes, food, phone data, digital devices and and bus travel. We may also assist with heating grants, hospital bags for new mothers, baby food, nappies and items.
The Emergency Relief Fund also assists with digital tech and skills.
Comment
The UK government has, for much of the past decade, been operating what itself terms a “hostile environment” for some migrants.
No recourse to public funds (NRPF) is one of the most damaging elements of the hostile environment.
Many people with NRPF have leave to remain in the UK, but are charged premiums to extend their leave to remain and healthcare.
Most asylum seekers wait for years without a decision. They have no right to work or recourse to welfare benefits
Nearly 1.4 million people are thought to have had no recourse to public funds in the UK in 2020 – including 175,000 children. This number is growing.
Since 2012, the Home Office started putting no recourse to public funds conditions on people in the process of legally settling in the UK. This includes families with British or settled children or partners who have been living and working in the UK for years.