Introduction

Asylum Support Housing Advice (ASHA) is a non-profit voluntary organisation, based in Manchester, that helps asylum seekers whose applications have been refused and fully determined, and whose status renders them homeless and destitute.

The word ‘ASHA’ is from the Urdu language, and means HOPE. ASHA expects respect for all differences, including: race, gender, disability, age, belief and sexuality.

We set up in October 2004 and since then have seen more than 4,250 clients from 74 different countries of origin.  As a result of our work we have made over 1,750 successful applications for support under Section 4 of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999 and obtained over 5,825 HC2 certificates for full help with primary care health costs.

During 2011 we maintained our regular services (2 drop-in advice sessions per week) and appointments seeing 2,222 clients. We saw 373 new clients, and made 58 successful applications for support under Section 4. We also submitted 49 appeals against refusal or discontinuance of Section 4 support and won 30 (61%) cases. During 2011, 217 of our clients were granted Indefinite Leave to Remain following resolution of their asylum cases.
 
Social Work student Ngoni runs ASHA's 'English Class'. He stated: "Our long term hope is that by running regular classes which provide a welcoming and relaxed environment we will eventually build up a core group. In spite of the difficulties we have found the classes to be a thoroughly positive experience and have enjoyed meeting people from many countries and sharing cultural experiences." Since refused asylum seekers who are not on Section 4 have no access to mainstream English classes, this seemed a perfect opportunity to provide drop in classes. These classes are for everyone regardless of their level of English. However the clients' circumstances, being homeless and destitute, means that there are obstacles to regular attendance.

Download our Annual Report (January 2011) by clicking here.

Download our Annual Report (January 2010) by clicking here.

Aims and objectives

The aims of ASHA are to relieve the needs of refused asylum seekers and refugees in particular but not exclusively by the promotion of human rights and the provision of information, advice and support.

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Highlights

• On 4th January 2012, ASHA volunteer and Chair, Barbara Bleeker, won the public vote to become the Sale and Altrincham overall champion in a scheme recognising community champions. 

• In May 2010 ASHA volunteer Sylvester Thomas won the Salford Adult Volunteer of the Year 2010 award,

   
  where he was described as "a dedicated and reliable member of the community who inspires those around him with his                                                              motivation and self-confidence".  
  
  
• In February 2010 ASHA won top prize in the "Mixing It Up In Manchester" competition celebrating diversity.

• Big Life Group chose ASHA as "Charity of the Year" in 2009 and raised £1,132 towards our running costs.

• The BME Community Drugs & Alcohol Awareness Initiative gave an award to ASHA on 27 March 2009 for working towards strengthening local communities against dangers of drugs and alcohol. We were involved in the "Reaching Out" project.

Media

• ASHA was featured on BBC 2 News Night on 10 July 2008, in a film by Salam Pax - the Baghdad Blogger (Studio 9 Films) on the issue of Iraqis in the UK who are destitute.
  LINK - view the video here. (11 mins total)
  

• In March 2008, Lets Go Global's Global Youth video projects created a short film in their Bursary section called "Asylum", based on interviews with ASHA staff.
  LINK - view the video here. (13 mins total)
  

• We contributed to an article in the Guardian on 20 March 2008.
  LINK - Guardian article:
  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/20/iraq.immigration

• We undertook a project to develop work with destitute asylum seekers living with HIV, and reviewed and continued our regular advice drop-ins.
  

• During 2007 Kimmo Ohtonen produced a film called "Narrow Lands", about ASHA and about refugees in the UK who are trying to re-establish their lives.
  LINK - view the video here. (17 mins total)
  

• In October 2007 we were involved in the Independent Asylum Commission hearing on asylum destitution issues.
  

• In June 2007 we started English classes and had a favourable article printed in the Big Issue.

  LINK - Big issue article:
  http://www.hazelhealy.info/index.php?/immigration/every-second-counts/
  

• In February 2007 we moved to the Zion Resource Centre and held a successful launch.
  LINK - Launch of ASHA:
  http://chrispaul-labouroflove.blogspot.com/2007/03/brim-full-of-asha-hope-springs-eternal.html
  

• In November 2006 a Gloves Off production, on which we contributed, “Asylum Seekers in Britain” was broadcast on Channel M and Sky TV. Includes discussion with Mansoor Hassan, Tony Openshaw and Mark Krantz.
  LINK - view the video here. (25 mins total)

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Publication

A5 booklet (8 pages) advising on health entitlements. The information is correct as at September 2007 and focuses on the law in England and Wales.

Download this document here.

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ASHA on film

As a leading charitable voluntary organisation in Manchester that works with refugees and recognised for its dedication and commitment against the odds, ASHA has been featured in a number of video productions which discuss issues around refuge, asylum and immigration.  A number of these are available to view on YouTube - please visit our YouTube page at http://uk.youtube.com/user/tonyopenshaw . 

These films are also listed in the "Highlights" section above, and one of the films is shown below for you to view right now:

"Narrow Lands" (part 1) by Kimmo Ohtonen (2007)

"Narrow Lands" (part 2) by Kimmo Ohtonen (2007)

Donate

ASHA needs your help!  We request supporters to help us financially - please download this form for either regular or one-off donations.

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Contact

Tony Openshaw
Asylum Support Housing Advice (ASHA)
Zion Resource Centre
339 Stretford Road
Manchester
M15 4ZY

Tel: 0161 227 8555
Fax: 0161 227 8585

Email: tonyopenshaw(at)verybusy.co.uk

(website creation courtesy of Kooj Chuhan  www.kooj.net / virtual migrants  www.virtualmigrants.com )