Supporting Refugees in the North East for 25 years

We are dedicated to making the North East a true Region of Sanctuary - a place where refugees’ rights are respected and they are welcomed with open minds and hearts. Our vision is a region where refugees have access to work and opportunities that empower them to flourish and contribute to their new communities.

The rise in recent racist and anti-human rhetoric has been a challenging time for us, but seeing the counter-protesters and hearing the words of support has made us more determined than ever to make sure everyone knows: REFUGEES ARE WELCOME - The North East stands united against racism!

Our goal is to transform the legendary Geordie welcome into a deeper, more impactful approach - one that empowers refugees and marginalised communities to shape their futures. 

Challenging injustice is in our DNA. Whether through direct  support or campaigning: our work empowers people to contribute to our shared mission: to create a community where every voice counts, and there is no place for racism or xenophobia.

You can see the difference our programmes make by listening to the words of Korey here.

We focus on holistic support and development for refugees, addressing both mental and physical well-being to build a true sense of belonging. Through one-on-one interactions, sports and cultural activities, we create spaces that encourage community and mutual respect, which are essential elements for two-way integration. 

Money raised helps to support these programmes through reimbursing travel expenses, buying equipment and supplies, supporting our hardship fund or buying basic necessities such as food and toiletries.

What We Do

Our Skillsmatch Programme matches our clients with volunteering opportunities in cafes, shops, offices, gardens and many other settings where they can gain experience, certificates and references to build their CV. We also offer short courses such as employability, financial wellbeing, digital skills, photography and music where clients can earn completion certificates and gain essential knowledge.

"I feel like I am living a parallel life. But I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn new skills and work on my own terms"- Ryan, Skillsmatch volunteer.

Our Activities and Connections Programme offers weekly groups, meetups and clubs to give our clients some much need social time, a place to make friends and relax. Activities such as our football group and badminton group offer physical exercise which is good for the mind, body and soul

Cooking group offers a chance to share a piece of your culture while providing a hot and home cooked meal for 30-40 fellow refugees. We have monthly trips to amazing places like Wallington NT, parks and beaches. One off trips to Beamish, local community groups and the cinema. We aim to introduce refugees to the best of the North East and have them love it as much as we do!

"I am so happy to part of WERS. I have met so many great people!"- Arras, WERS participant and volunteer.

We have recently launched our Awareness Raising Programme which aims to teach our local community about life as a refugee, bust some common myths and help people understand the difference they can make. So far we have delivered these programs to over 1000 students in the North East and several local charities and business. We look forward to expanding this project as far as possible.

"I thought the training was insightful and powerful. I enjoyed listening to lived experiences of individuals and how we can begin to inform our practice."- Children's North East staff member.

We’re powered by a dedicated team of Trustees, staff and volunteers, many with lived experience of seeking asylum. Our Advisory Panel plays a key role in shaping our services and strategy, ensuring our work reflects the realities and needs of those we support. 

Our Campaigns Group champions on key issues impacting our community: We advocate for an asylum system grounded in humanity and fairness.

• Safe Routes
  We advocate for safe, legal routes to prevent lives being lost on dangerous journeys and to counter the exploitation of people seeking safety by criminal networks.
• Right to Work
  We campaign for the right of people seeking asylum to work after six months if their claims remain undecided. This helps to restore dignity, provide purpose, and enable contributions to the community.
• STOP Anti-Human rhetoric
  We address and counter harmful language that dehumanises refugees, calling for respectful narratives that reflect the true stories of people fleeing violence and hardship.