Asylum Seekers & Refugees

The JCC offers ongoing education and awareness raising on issues surrounding refugees and asylum seekers in conjunction with the Jewish Council for Racial Equality. Our events can be found here and cover a wide range of issues.

We offer support to the New North London Synagogue drop-in centre for destitute asylum seekers works with 200 destitute asylum seekers once a month. The clients who attend the drop-in are not able to access any public funds or housing support. They are destitute and live either in unsuitable and temporary accommodation, or stay with friends, sleeping on floors. They come from a variety of different countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Eritrea, Iraq and Afghanistan.

At the drop-in asylum seekers receive second hand clothing, a hot meal, oyster card top-ups, Tesco vouchers, non-perishable food items to take home and are able to access medical and legal advice. The centre is coordinated entirely by volunteers who are on hand during the drop-in to set-up, distribute clothing, food, and ensure that it runs smoothly.

If you are interesting in volunteering at the drop-in centre please email info@jcclondon.org.uk for more details.

The JCC also runs a mentoring programme with refugee women from Darfur. The aim of the programme is for the Darfuri woman participating in the programme to be paired with a British woman. Together, the pair will then identify areas where the mentee would benefit from support which can be provided by their mentor. There are currently 6 pairs participating in the programme. If you are interested in getting involved please email info@jcclondon.org.uk