• Refugee and Asylum Programme (RAP)

    How can we help?

    What services we have to offer

    TGP Cymru’s Refugee and Asylum Programme (RAP) offers a holistic and rights-based approach to supporting and empowering young people.

    We Offer: 

    • Specialist independent professional advocacy
    • Mentoring
    • Group well-being / counselling
    • Participation
    • Belong youth group
    • Peer mentoring scheme
    • Advice & guidance for professionals
    • Bespoke training
    • Residential trips

    Eligibility: 

    • Age: 11 to 25
    • Seeking asylum, with refugee status or ARE. Includes separated minors (UASC)
    • Hong Kong with British National (Overseas) status

    Current Projects and Services

    Belong Project

    A Big Lottery Funded 4-year Project, for young people seeking asylum and refugees aged 14-24.

    Belong aims to help young people develop confidence and resilience and to strive to be “the best they can be”, by offering safe spaces to meet, learn new skills, broaden horizons and opportunities to understand and acclimatise to systems and culture in Wales.

    We provide a stepping-stone to more universal youth opportunities supporting young people to fully participate.

    Includes:

    • Specialist advocacy – to identify and resolve issues.
    • Mentoring – to set goals and work to achieve e.g. educational objectives.
    • Group well-being / counselling
    • Individual well-being support
    • Participation – group and individual opportunities
    • Weekly youth group, 1630 – 1830 in Cardiff
    • Activities during school holidays in a range of areas
    • Remote zoom sessions to reach young people from rural areas
    • Workshops for young people.

    Wales Sanctuary Seekers Service (WSS)

    TGP Cymru work in partnership with refugee sector charities including: WRC, Asylum Justice, DPIA, BAWSO & EYST on this new Welsh Government Inclusion Grant funded Service.

    We provide:

    • Specialist advocacy to young people aged 11-25.
    • Age Assessments- Supporting young people through the process.
    • A peer mentoring scheme offering training to young people to support their peers.

    This new service allows us the build on the range of skills and experience developed during the 5 year Asylum Rights Programme which ended in March 2022, including supporting young people through Age Assessments.

    WSS is for refugees including those arriving as part of a Resettlement Scheme and young people from Hong Kong with BN (O) Status as well as those seeking Asylum.

    Mind Our Future

    On 12th May, The Big Lottery in Wales announced the successful Partnerships which will be working with young people on co-production projects to develop services to help build resilience and combat mental health issues.

    TGP Cymru’s RAP are delighted to be part of a Partnership which will be managed by Oasis Cardiff and includes CAVHIS (Cardiff and the Vale Health Inclusion Service).

    Welsh Youth Parliament (WYP) Partner Organisation

    TGP Cymru‘s RAP are Partners with the Welsh Youth Parliament again for the second term of the WYP 2022-24.

    During the first term our WYP Member was a female refugee who arrived in Wales as part of the Syrian Resettlement Scheme. Hasna thoroughly enjoyed the experience, which she says has helped her feel more confident.

    For the second term we have two parliament members: Sultan in South Wales & Amir in North Wales.

    Children In Wales – the umbrella organisation for participation in Wales – runs a Young People’s Project Board and RAP are pleased to have the views of our young people represented by Elvis.

    Training:

    • Working with unaccompanied children seeking asylum (UASC)
    • Awareness raising Training
    • Advocacy / campaign training for sanctuary seekers
    • Age assessments

    Please contact Lee Evans to enquire

    Project address

    TGP Head Office, Cardiff University Social Science Research Park (SPARK), spark, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ

    Ways to get in touch

    We welcome referrals or enquiries from young people, professionals or anyone involved in the care and support of young people, including Schools. 

    Referrals can be made by telephone or email to Lee Evans: 

    Lee.Evans@tgpcymru.org.uk
    Tel: 07957 472070 

    Who is in our team

    Lee Evans
    Manager
    Kate Rough
    Participation Worker / Advocate
    Ruth Jeanes
    Participation Worker
    Sarah Chatwin
    Belong Advocate / Mentor
    Alice Payne
    WSS Advocacy Caseworker
    Hasminder Aulakh
    WSS Advocacy Caseworker