Help, Advice and Activities for Asylum Seekers in Redbridge
Redbridge Welcomes Asylum Seekers
In Redbridge, we are committed to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for those seeking safety and a new start. This page can direct you to essential information on your rights, local services, and where to find help with healthcare, education, and local services.
Health Information and Advice
Find a Doctor (GP)
You have the right to register with a GP even if you don't have any documents. You can ask the GP Surgery to register you using the surgery's address or the address of a friend or community centre.
Children's Health
NHS North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) health teams support pregnant women and families with children aged 0-19 years - get in touch!
Find a Dentist
You are encouraged to take advantage of preventative care to maintain good oral health. You can register free of charge and if eligible, receive free treatment on the NHS.
Mental Health
Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Services can support you and can be accessed 24 hours a day on 0800 995 1000
If someone is in danger right now, PHONE 999
999 is the emergency number in the UK for Police, Ambulance and Fire Service
Help, Support and Advice for Asylum Seekers
RAMFEL
The Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London (RAMFEL) provides advice and support for vulnerable migrants. Please check the website for in-person and phone advice sessions and details of foodbank
Citizens Advice
Provides free, confidential, independent advice. Access advice by following links on their website or calling 0808 278 7872.
Migrant Support
Wanstead and Woodford Migrant Support Group provides information about advice services for asylum seekers, and coffee mornings.
Wanstead and Woodford Migrant Support
Domestic Abuse
Reach Out provides practical and emotional help for anyone affected by abuse at their home or accommodation.
Women's Support
Adanna Women’s Support Group provides information and advice drop-in sessions to support women with employment, relationships and debt.
LGBTQ+ Support
Rainbow Migration provides specialist legal information and advice for LGBTQ+ people seeking asylum.
Education and Training
2 year olds
Free education places for two year olds can be accessed by parents for up to 15 hours of funded childcare and early education per week (38 weeks per year).
Early years entitlement guidance for 2 year olds
3 & 4 year olds
All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to up to 15 hours of funded early education a week (38 weeks per year) until they either go into reception or reach compulsory school age.
Early years entitlement guidance for 3 and 4 year olds
4 - 16 year olds
School places for 4-16 year olds should be applied for on arrival for all 4-16 year olds, and 3 year olds who will be 4 years old before 1 September.
16 -19 year olds
Free education/ training for 16-19 year olds - careers information, advice and access to further education, training and employment
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
English classes for adults who have been in the UK for at least six months from beginner through to advanced level. Apply for Ilford Campus.
Youth and Community Support
Hope for the Young
Hope for the Young’s Mentoring Programme gives 16-25 year old's one-to-one support and advice to help them settle into the UK.
Family Support
Redbridge Family Services Directory explains how you can access the support and resources available for families with children aged 0 to 19 (up to 25 years for adults with special educational needs).
Redbridge Family Services Directory
Care4Calais
Community Cafe:
- Free food and drinks
- Clothes Bank
- Support and advice
- Employment/training support
- Volunteering opportunities
- Free haircuts
Tuesday from 10am to 1pm
Clementswood Baptist Church, Ilford Lane, IG1 2LG.
Community Cafes
Friendship, support, activities and advice at FREE cafes in Loxford on Sunday, Hainault on Tuesday, plus a cooking club in Loxford on Monday.
Community Engagement and Cafes
Frenford Sports
Frenford Sports for Young People offers free access to sports for children and young people. For more information, call 020 8518 0992 or visit The Jack Carter Centre, The Drive, IG1 3PS.
Employment and Volunteering
Work Support
The Refugee Employability Programme (REP) helps refugees who have Biometric Residence Permits (BRP) find jobs and training.
Refugee Employability Programme
Work Redbridge
Work Redbridge helps residents of all ages looking for employment support, training or volunteering opportunities.
Volunteering
Community Action Redbridge provides work experience and volunteering in the community – open to both asylum seekers and refugees.
Breadwinners
The Risers Programme at Breadwinners offers work experience for young people seeking asylum.
Housing and Move-On Advice
As soon as you receive your immigration decision, you should...
Seek Housing Advice
Visit Redbridge Council’s Housing Team
Lynton House, 255-259 High Road, Ilford, IG1 1NN, 9am - 4.45pm
Apply for Universal Credit
If you have refugee status, you can apply for Universal Credit, which will give you financial support:
- if you are unemployed and looking for work.
- if you have no income or a low income.
For support applying for a Universal Credit claim, contact Citizens Advice:
Foodbanks
Food banks can offer help if you are living in dispersed accommodation and struggling with household costs.
- Frenford Foodbank, Jack Carter Centre, The Drive, IG1 3PS frenfordfoodbank@gmail.com | 020 8518 0992 drop in Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - 2.30pm and 5pm
The below foodbanks require you to call in advance:
- Al Ansar IEC (Halal Meals), 833 High Road, IG3 8TD ash@servinghumanityfoundation.org.uk | 020 3488 9459 or 07971 124862 Sundays 10.30am - 12.30pm
- Helping Hopes Food Bank, Ilford Engagement Hub, IG1 2HX helpinghopes.org.uk | 07946 575707 | Mondays 11am - 12pm
- Jubilee Church, 14 Granville Road, IG1 4JY Tuesdays 12pm - 1pm, Wednesdays 2pm - 4pm & Saturdays 10am - 1pm
- All Saints Goodmayes, Goodmayes Lane, IG3 9SJ Fridays 10am - 12pm
- Grange Hill Methodist, Burrow Road, IG7 4HQ Saturdays 10am - 12pm
- Woodford Baptist Church, 32 George Lane, E18 1LW Fridays 2.30pm - 4.30pm
- FoodBanked, 114 Queensborough Gardens, IG2 6YB ashraf@foodbanked.org.uk | 07846442750 | Monday – Friday 11am - 3pm
Clothes Banks and Groceries
- Chapters Foodbank, 29 Telegraph Mews, IG3 8TA | servinghumanityfoundation.org.uk | 020 3488 9459 or 07971 124862 | Sundays 12pm – 2pm. Includes essential groceries, cleaning products and clothing.
- Care4Calais, Clementswood Baptist Church, 132 Ilford Lane, IG1 2LG | 020 8514 3136 | every Tuesday from 10.30am to 1pm. Providing a clothing bank, social space and support to asylum seekers and refugees.
- Ilford Community Grocery, City Gates, 25-29 Clements Road, IG1 1BH. Low cost food shop. Annual membership fee £5. Each shop will cost £5.
Redbridge Children’s Centres Baby & Toddler: available at the 3 following locations, providing parents and carers with essential items needed for baby/toddler such as clothes, nappies, equipment and other essentials. Email childrens.centres@redbridge.gov.uk
- Orchard Baby Bank, Liston Way, IG8 7BL | 020 8708 8344 | Wednesday 9am - 12pm
- Loxford Baby & Toddler Bank, 136 Ilford Lane, IG1 2LG | 020 8708 2060 | Tuesday 9.30am - 12.30 and Friday 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 3pm
- Hainault Baby & Toddler Bank, 114 Huntsman Road, IG6 3SY | 020 8708 9423 | Monday 9.30am -11.30am
Community Support and Advice
- Perfect Mix, Loxford Children’s Centre, 136-138 Ilford Lane, IG1 2LG. Every Monday, 12pm - 3pm. Free weekly community cooking open to asylum seekers. Please contact Sonia.Lard@redbridge.gov.uk or call 075 9806 4709 to book a space.
- Warm Spaces, Ilford High Road Baptist Church, IG1 1QP | simon.standen@gmail.com | 020 8514 1679 | Tuesday 10.30am – 12.30pm. Asylum Seekers welcome.
- Home Cooking, Ilford High Road Baptist Church, IG1 1QP | simon.standen@gmail.com | 020 8514 1679 | Tuesday 10.30am – 12.30pm. Asylum Seekers welcome.
- English Classes, Ilford High Road Baptist Church, IG1 1QP | simon.standen@gmail.com | 020 8514 1679. Women can attend Wednesdays and Thursday 10am – 12pm and Men can attend Thursdays and Fridays 10am – 12pm.
- Citizens Advice Redbridge provides free, confidential, independent advice. Contact on advice@citizensadviceredbridge.org.uk or call 0808 278 7872.
- Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London (RAMFEL), Cardinal Heenan Centre, High Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1QP | info@ramfel.org.uk | 020 8478 4513. Supports vulnerable migrants to access justice and provides vital support.
