Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution

Lovely feedback from a client: I have been granted refugee status! Looking back at where I was when we started our sessions I wasn’t sure I would make it to this point. The uncertainty and weight of everything were so difficult to carry but your support and patience gave me the tools to keep going."

Many of our clients end up starting businesses, so this comes as no surprise to us

We also see how even small support can massively help their businesses

With proper support, it's projected they can produce 5.1 billion per year

squareup.com/gb/en/press/...

www.freedomfromtorture.org/news-and-sto...

We asked our clients to tell us how we had helped them - here's some of the things they said:
I'm amazed how the sessions helped me to feel confident again and how to handle the sadness.
SOLACE was the only my Life Saver and I am proud to say with respect, because of SOLACE, I'm living today

@mindwellleeds.bsky.social Please help to share the fantastic resources on our website which can really help refugees and asylum seekers improve their mental health www.solace-uk.org.uk/training/hel...
Topics include stress, sleep, and many more. This can really help over the holidays especially

We are feeling festive at Solace today and our office looks lovely. Looking forward to the performance by our drama group shortly.

Along with many others, Solace is very concerned about the proposed changes to the asylum system. We hope that common sense will prevail and the ideas will not be implemented. Read our initial response here: www.solace-uk.org.uk/difference-w...

A place to heal: How asylum accommodation re-traumatises torture survivors

www.freedomfromtorture.org/news-and-sto...

@freedomfromtorture.bsky.social

In her proposed changes to the asylum system the Home Secretary referred to the anger some people in the UK feel at the moment. People seeking protection in the UK are being used as scapegoats to deflect anger away from the problems that really need tackling. Communities need connecting not dividing

We know why people come to the UK: because they already have family here, they speak some English, or they have long-standing ties that help them rebuild their lives in safety.

Solace has been part of the wonderful Spring Project in Sheffield since 2018. We met up as partner organisations yesterday and it was fantastic to talk about how our shared values really shine through. "We do things differently because we see that it works!" www.vas.org.uk/what-we-do/s...

Stress Awareness Week is coming to an end

But that doesn't mean people stop supporting you in your fight against stress

We have many proven techniques to lower stress, sleep, relax, ease body tension, relieve headaches etc

www.solace-uk.org.uk/training/hel...

This video continues over there!

Separation from family members doesn’t just hurt emotionally; it stops people from being able to rebuild their lives. "You can’t settle into a new community, learn, work, or heal when part of you is still unsafe". Family reunion is critical for refugees. assets.redcross.org.uk/82b1e254-552...

Charities rely on their Trustees to set the direction of the organisation but also to step in to help with many practical things. I want to say a huge thank you to our inspirational Solace Trustees. They are a fantastic bunch of knowledgeable people, and they are incredibly supportive. THANK YOU!

A delivery truck with the slogan "STOP SCAPEGOATING. START FIXING BRITAIN." drives past Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament on a sunny day.

Four activists wearing Refugee Action t-shirts stand in front of 10 Downing Street, holding signs that support refugee rights in the UK.

A truck displaying a digital billboard with the message "Everyone needs a safe place to live. Build homes and stop scapegoating migrants." from James, Spen Valley, parked in front the Home Office.

Person standing in front of 10 Downing Street wearing a T-shirt that reads "SAY IT LOUD SAY IT CLEAR REFUGEES WELCOME HERE," with another person and a security officer in the background.

Hey Keir Starmer, get the memo?

We’ve delivered thousands of messages to Number 10 from our supporters, with the help of some digi-vans!

People are fed up with politicians choosing failed policies and scapegoating over investing in all communities. Time for real change.

'28 days to destitution". Thankyou for outlining the huge challenges refugees face in the first month after getting their status. Its still shocking and good to be reminded how brutal this is.

This is a brilliant report by @freedomfromtorture.bsky.social which explains the reality of asylum accommodation and the impact on it has on the recovery process for survivors of torture. www.freedomfromtorture.org/sites/defaul...

Did you know you can support asylum seekers improve their mental health by using our video resources? www.solace-uk.org.uk/training/hel...
Topics include stress, sleep, and many more. Tell us what issues you want help with and we will send a personalised response: forms.office.com/e/48CUYhBbF5

🔴 FALSE 🔴

The UK is behind France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Greece, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands & more in asylum applications per capita

While being the 2nd richest country in Europe

This statement from people living in asylum hotels in Greater Manchester is a compassionate response to the rise in violent protests written by people who are living it every day. I hope it leads to more nuanced conversations and understanding. Thankyou to everyone involved in putting it together.

Many countries have banned asylum seekers from working

🚨Not a single country saw a reduction in asylum cases the following few years, not even a simple correlation🚨

94% of asylum seekers want to work, if their work ban were lifted, they could add £333 million annually to the economy

Thankyou @imixuk.bsky.social for the workshop today sharing such useful information about crisis communications. Hearing about the abuse and misinformation charities have endured recently is shocking.

Toay is #worldmentalhealthday and Solace is stressing the word "world". Whoever you are and whatever your background we stand alongside you today with warm wishes and welcome.

There is so much focus on division so today it is great to come together with other charities, services and local authorities to discuss how we can provide welcome and safety. @migrationyorkshire.bsky.social

Graphic poster featuring a quote by Steven, Manchester. It reads, "Pitting the public against people fleeing war and persecution is only hindering community cohesion." The design includes abstract shapes in black and pastel colors on a green background.

Graphic poster featuring a quote bubble with a message wishing for Keir Starmer to recognize refugees as equals, signed by Emmanuel, MCR. The background includes abstract shapes in various colors.

Today feels like a good day to remember that most of us believe in welcome 💜
Here are some of the thousands of messages we've received from supporters recently. We'll be delivering them to Number 10, because it seems the government needs this reminder too.

No refugee lives an easy life

UK has stripped £5bn in aid including funds that work to prevent conflicts by 45%

Slashing support in refugee hotspots and wanting there to be fewer refugees is comical

Immigration is blamed when no country's research has come close to proving that immigration is bad

www.rescue.org/uk/article/m...

Maryam, an architect, left Afghanistan but it was art that freed her from her mental battle

For a long time, she felt she couldn’t do anything useful

She was able to express her feelings and take a break from her harsh reality

We take this and combine it with proven therapeutic techniques