Each year, over 1,500 people seeking asylum and new refugees – adults and children – are placed in Calderdale, West Yorkshire. Many are traumatised from their journey to, and within, the UK; some people have little or no English language; most are living in deep poverty or are destitute; and many are vulnerable to exploitation and increasing levels of racism and threats of violence. Nearly everyone struggles to know how to start rebuilding their lives here.

At our buzzing community centre, we offer a warm welcome to every person seeking asylum or new refugee (our centre members), regardless of age, background or the challenges they face. We give members the practical support they need to rebuild their lives with dignity, including support to access healthcare, welfare, education and housing plus advice on immigration and asylum matters. Plus we offer sports and arts activities alongside freshly cooked food, clothes and refurbished phones and bikes.