Our General Advice Project is the first point of contact for refugees and people seeking asylum who are in need of support. We provide free, friendly and practical advice to those who are facing a wide range of challenges, giving them the confidence and tools to move forwards.
Delivered by a dedicated team of almost 50 trained volunteers, the service operates four days a week (Monday – Thursday) on a drop-in basis with additional pre-booked telephone or face-to-face appointments where required. The session starts at 10am but clients are advised to arrive from 9:30am. There is no limit to how many times clients can utilise our General Advice Drop-In and we pride ourselves on creating a safe and inclusive safe for those who access the service.
How we help…
We support individuals and families with issues including
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Housing
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Welfare
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Benefits
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Debt
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Destitution
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Accessing health services
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Asylum support
Whether someone needs help understanding their rights, accessing essential services or finding the right specialist support, we are here to listen, guide and advocate.
Our aim is to provide timely and accessible support to help people understand their options and resolve problems wherever possible. Interpreters are offered to any client who may require this, providing an opportunity for them to explain their issues clearly and feel understood. Where further support is needed, we connect people either with our in-house projects such as The Refused Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, Volunteering Project or external partner organisations who will be able to join us in providing wrap-around support for the client.
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Visits to General Advice this year (by 2,022 clients)
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Individual issues resolved or supported
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New volunteer advisors trained
“You show me the path forward into the future. I really trust this place.”
General Advice client
The General Advice Project plays a vital role in helping people overcome the immediate challenges they are faced with, whether they have just arrived in Nottingham or have recently been granted their refugee status. By providing compassionate, accessible advice and connecting people with the right services, we help ensure that no one has to face difficult circumstances alone.
“It is very difficult to be in a new country and not know how things work. You do not know how to make things happen for you. I came here and the hospitality is warm, I drink a tea and eat a pastry and meet with your colleague he was very kind and helped me. I am very happy”
-General Advice client
I have the experience of solving difficult cases. I’m still an asylum seeker and I’m still waiting. Clients have the same problems and issues, but I have more experience to share”
-Volunteer General Advisor
“I feel much better, than before I came here first. this organisation provides hope for people”
-General Advice client