Leeds City Council (with funding from the Home Office) is offering one round of grant funding to the third sector to support people in Leeds who are going through the asylum process, with the aim to strengthen local support arrangements for people living in Leeds who are seeking asylum, and for those who have been granted asylum status (newly granted refugees) within the 28 day move on period.

The funding provides opportunities for new and innovative activity, as well as continuing existing programmes and activities. The Fund is keen to see increased access to support which results in improved outcomes for these client groups.

When is the funding available?
Funding is available from November 2023 to June 2025 to deliver projects for between 6 to 18 months.  The fund is looking to deliver a range of activities across the city as soon as possible.

Who Can Apply for this Funding?
Organisations in Leeds who can meet the needs of:

• people seeking asylum and/or
• people who have been granted asylum status (newly granted refugees) within the
  28 day move on period.

A single organisation or formal partnership/consortium can apply.

Funding Available
Grants of £5,000 to £50,000 available from a pot of £600,000, however, most grants will be for in the region of £30k-35k (except for exceptional applications that demonstrate a significant contribution to priority areas, or proposals which are delivered in partnership, will be considered for the maximum grant allocation). Please note this is a revenue fund and not a capital fund.

Eligible Activities
The grant seeks to initiate a coordinated and targeted programme of activity, which support people living in Leeds whom are seeking asylum, and people who have been granted asylum status achieving the following outcomes:

• have clear understanding of their rights, entitlements, and
  responsibilities as residents in the city
• be better informed of services and better able to navigate the city.
• have improved access to appropriate services to address need.
• have access to specialist services providing advice and support
  throughout the asylum process. This includes receipt of positive and
  negative decisions and those who have fallen into destitution.
• have knowledge and information to make informed choices and
  decisions through the support of specialist services.
• have improved health, mental health, and wellbeing.
• have improved English language and the skills needed for life.
• have improved access and increased participation in local activities and
  volunteering opportunities.
• partnership Working

The Fund is looking for applications for programmes, projects and activity which improves accessibility, coordination across the city and outcomes for these client
groups. Projects will score higher at appraisal stage that demonstrate:

• how they will utilise, strengthen and build on existing structures,
• commitment to developing strong and effective working relationships with
  appropriate partners including specialist organisations.

Examples of Activity
Activities might include e.g.
1) Legal advice and representation: including creative ways to build capacity and increase access to free immigration advice

2) Activity which supports the wellbeing of people seeking asylum living in Home Office hotels or dispersed within the Leeds local authority area,
such as:

• increased understanding of the asylum process.
• increased understanding life in Leeds.
• navigating and accessing local services, places to visit and things to do.
• advocacy support.
• access to activities and volunteering opportunities#
• activities which support physical health, mental health and wellbeing.

3) Aiding the development of English language and skills needed for life, such as:

• ESOL/conversation classes and/or activities which provide people with
  opportunities to learn English, practice English and build confidence.
• English language skills activity can incorporate aiding the development of digital
  access and skills.

4) Support to for people who have been granted asylum status (newly granted
refugees) within the 28 day move on period such as:

•  access to housing and benefits/welfare,
• setting up bank accounts,
• employability skills,
• registering with GPs and access to health and wellbeing services,
• increasing knowledge and understand of mainstream services.

5) Support for people who have become destitute as a result of their asylum claim –
to explore legal options and find safe and sustainable routes out of destitution.

The list is not exhaustive.  For an application form and guidance or if you have any enquiries about eligibility of your proposed activities, please contact migrationteam@leeds.gov.uk for clarification.  Officers can give you general advice about the application process until Monday 9th October, again just email the team at the link above.

Applications must be received by: 12.00pm (noon) Monday 16th October 2023.

Please read the full Application Guidance before completing your Application Form. Both are available by e-mailing migrationteam@leeds.gov.uk

Voluntary Action Leeds