FAQs for Those Who Work with Asylum Seekers

General Advice

Migrant Help run a free asylum helpline available 24/7/365 and accessible to all asylum seekers in the UK. Direct them to call 0808 8010 503. If you need to support them to ring Migrant Help then you will need to complete a Migrant Help consent form which can be found here. Help can also be received by the webchat or service user portal available on their website.

* Migrant Help will need the asylum seekers HO number and full details to help them over the phone.

Migrant Help can advise people in their own language on issues such as:

o   How to claim asylum

o   Navigating the asylum process

o   Applying for asylum support including accommodation

o   Notifying the Home Office is circumstances change

o   Finding legal representation

o   Accessing healthcare

o   Support during the post-decision period, positive and negative decisions

o   Other asylum and post-asylum claim related matters

o   They can also signpost people to helpful services in the area

o   They are unable to provide legal advice or legal representation, however they can provide with a list of qualifies legal representatives.

Ongoing claim

Their solicitor can help with updates on an ongoing claim. If someone already has a legal representative, another legal advisor or solicitor will not be able to assist them, because this is a conflict of interest.

You can them to contact Red Cross for anything else. They may not be able to help, but they will be able to sign post to other organisations who can.

o   Red Cross will be at the Stockton Baptist Church Monday drop-in for support between 1:30pm and 2:30pm

o   Red Cross Stockton can also be contacted on 07713 385268 via call, WhatsApp or text.

Source 1; Source 2

The practice of Islam includes observing dietary laws which come from Islamic teachings. Islamic dietary laws define foods that are Halal, meaning lawful or permitted. Muslims avoid food and beverages that are Haram, meaning not permitted.

Tips for Planning Meals/Snacks/Refreshments

1. Food traditions and dietary habits are affected by religion and culture. Ask the participants or group leader if anyone has special dietary needs.

2. Display the Halal certification symbol, food ingredient label or Halal store cash receipt.

3. Provide a vegetarian option using legumes as an alternative to meat dishes.

4. Read food labels carefully and regularly when purchasing food, as ingredients can change without notice.

5. Any preparation area and the equipment used should be kept in such a manner as to prevent cross contact, contamination or mixing Halal food with non-Halal food. Any direct or indirect contact between Halal and Haram food (e.g. use of the same knives or chopping boards, etc.) would render Halal foods Haram.

General Haram (Not Permitted) Foods:

• Pork and its by-products e.g. gelatin, lipase, pepsin

• Meat from animals not slaughtered according to the Islamic dietary law

• Alcohol and foods prepared with alcohol e.g. candies and cakes that include alcohol such as rum cake 

• Foods made with pure or artificial vanilla extract (vanilla is prepared with alcohol)

• Foods containing blood and blood by-products e.g. blood pudding

• Foods made with any of the following: whey prepared with non-microbial enzyme, rennet, animal shortening, monoglycerides and diglycerides from an animal source, sodium stearoyllactylate, L-cysteine.

Halal Foods (Permitted Foods)

Grains

• Rice

• Pasta

• Any grain product, such as bread, breakfast cereal or baked goods prepared without Haram ingredients

Vegetables and Fruit

• All vegetables and fruit: raw, dried, frozen or canned

• All vegetables and fruit cooked or served with water, butter, or vegetable oils

• All juices

Milk and Milk Products

• Milk

• Yoghurt, cheese and ice cream made with bacterial culture or microbial enzymes, e.g. microbial rennet

Meat and Alternatives

• Meat and poultry slaughtered according to Islamic dietary law (Zabihah)

• Seafood

• Nuts, seeds

• Tofu

• Dried beans, peas and lentils

• Eggs

• Peanut butter

• Halal deli meats

Other

• Beverages: carbonated drinks, fruit juice, punch, cocktails, tea and coffee

• Fats and oils: butter, margarine, mayonnaise, vegetable oils and some salad dressings

• Miscellaneous: chutneys, coconut milk, jam, pickles, spices

• Dessert maded with agar and/or carrageenan base only

• Sweeteners: honey, sugar, syrup, chocolate liquor (roasted ground cocoa bean syrup)

Combination Food

• Main dishes: any Zabinah meat or alternative dish, pizza, pasta or rice prepared without Haram foods and ingredients

• Soups/sauces: any made without Haram foods and ingredients

• Desserts and sweets: any made without alcohol, or without pure or artificial vanilla extract or any other Haram ingredient

Haram Foods (Not Permitted)

Grain Products

• Any grain product prepared with Haram ingredients such as alcohol, animal shortening, lard or pure and artificial vanilla extract

Vegetables and Fruit

• Any vegetables and fruit prepared with alcohol, animal shortening, bacon, gelatin, lard or some margarines which contain monoglycerides or diglycerides from an animal source

Milk and Milk Products

• Cheese, yoghurt, ice cream, frozen tofu desserts made with animal rennet, gelatin, lipase, pepsin, pure or artificial vanilla extract or whey

Meat and Alternatives

• Pork and pork products, e.g. bacon, deli meats, ham and sausage

• Meat and poultry not slaughtered according to Islamic dietary law

• Canned beans, peas and lentils containing pork

• Any meat and meat alternative dish prepared with alcohol, pork products or animal shortening

Other

• Beverages: beer, wine, alcohol, liqueur

• Fats and oils: animal shortening, lard

• Miscellaneous: chocolates/candies made with alcohol or pure or artificial vanilla extract

• Desserts made with gelatin

• Sweeteners: chocolate liqueur (made from alcohol)

Combination Food

• Main dishes: any combination foods prepared with Haram foods and ingredients

• Soups/sauces: any prepared with Haram foods and ingredients

• Desserts and sweets: any prepared with alcohol, pure or artificial vanilla extract or any other Haram ingredient