An introduction to the Refugee Support Group (Devon)

In 2001, the Refugee Support Group (RSG) was formed under the watchful gaze of the Devon and Exeter Racial Equality Council (DEREC) in response to the people seeking asylum in Britain due to conflict in their own country. In May 2002, the RSG became an independent charity. RSG is governed by a management committee which is an elected group of local people, asylum seekers and refugees who volunteer their time and energy.

Initially asylum seekers were arriving in Exeter under the governments National Asylum Support Services (NASS) and supported by Devon County Council. However, due to lower numbers of asylum seekers being supported in this way and the termination of the local authorities contract with NASS, RSG now assists asylum seekers who are supported by friends and relatives, or by themselves, and growing numbers of refugees who have settled in Exeter or who migrate here from other cities. This includes working with women and children who have come here to settle with their refugee husbands. Many of those we work with are from Afghanistan and Iran, but as conflicts and political situations have changed, so too have the nationalities of asylum seekers and refugees in Exeter and Devon.

 

The RSG’s main aims are to:

• Promote the well being of all asylum seekers and refugees in Devon and to assist them in making informed choices about adapting to life in the UK.
• Encourage the positive participation of the wider community in the lives of resident asylum seekers and refugees, and to raise awareness of the general public about the misinformation and prejudice surrounding asylum seekers and refugees.
• Provide a voice for this community and make representations on their behalf on issues such as: the voucher system, UK immigration policy and UK dispersal policy.

 

Our main areas of work are:

Information and enquiry service, advocacy, English classes, leisure and sporting activities, womens outreach project. RSG is able to offer much more practical support to individuals in utilising resources essential in contacting the vital services they may require. RSG is also able to offer more personal support through volunteers and financial assistance in terms of hardship through its emergency fund (from private donations). RSG has a database of approximately 60 volunteers. About 75% of these are very actively involved in specific projects, and all are extremely committed.

RSG has two office areas rented from the Exeter Council for Voluntary Services (ECVS). The ECVS building has a communal kitchen, toilets, meeting rooms that are available to rent and disabled access. RSG has three of its own computers; one is strictly for RSG business only, whilst the others are available to volunteers and asylum seekers and refugees. There is a telephone and fax available in the office, and a photocopier and laminator just across the room!
Being under the same roof as so many other voluntary services has huge benefits. The main one being the level of expertise, knowledge and support that can be shared between organisations.

Staff:

Annette Hughes is the full-time Project Co-ordinator
Ramezan Mohamed is full time (temporary) Training and Development Worker
Peter Foy is the part time financial administrator
These roles are supported by a pool of dedicated and skilled volunteers

 

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