West End Refugee Service (WERS)

Name of organisation

Tell us about your organisation (history, aims, vision):

West End Refugee Service (WERS) is a registered charity based in Newcastle upon Tyne, dedicated to supporting people seeking asylum and refugees.

Since our founding in 1999, we have worked to alleviate the challenges faced by refugees, providing integrated services that reduce poverty, isolation and prejudice. Our programmes are designed to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities as they navigate the complex asylum system.

Our vision is for the North East to be a place where refugees are welcomed with open hearts and minds, their rights respected, and they have access to opportunities that allow them to thrive. Our mission is rooted in solidarity with refugees, providing a safe, supportive environment that fosters growth, development and two-way integration, free from prejudice.

Who do you serve? How do they access services?

We work with people seeking asylum and refugees, we carry out outreach work in the temporarily accommodation sites, in the community and deliver our services from our office in the West End.

What are your current projects or services?

We provide a safe space where individuals can receive advice, material and practical support throughout the pre and post asylum claim process, ensuring they feel welcome, treated with dignity, and empowered as equal members of our diverse community.
We believe that focusing on the holistic development of refugees, including their mental and physical well-being, is vital. By engaging with clients through one-on-one interactions, sports, and cultural activities, we foster a sense of belonging and community - key elements of two-way integration.
Our work is rooted in the belief that mutual understanding, empathy, and collaboration can create a community where refugees feel valued and supported. Through our volunteering opportunities, everyone is encouraged to actively engage and contribute to our shared mission.

We also support research efforts, engage in campaigns, and advocate for policy changes that benefit marginalized communities and combat racism and prejudice, ensuring refugees' voices are heard and their needs addressed at both local and national levels.

What are your three main concerns at the moment?

Our three main concerns at the moment are: the limited access to legal, mental health support, and housing for our clients; the uncertainty surrounding potential policy changes; and the increasing offensive rhetoric and racist incidents affecting those we work with.

Contact details:

Website: www.wers.org.uk

Phone: 0191 273 7482

Email: info@wers.org.uk