RAIS Lancaster (Refugee, Advocacy, Information, and Support) is a volunteer-driven charity established in 2017, with a commitment to the public good of providing vital relief and support to asylum seekers, refugees, and their families in Lancaster, Morecambe, Heysham and surrounding areas.
Our Mission
Our mission is to offer comprehensive advocacy, information, and support to help asylum seekers and refugees navigate the challenges they face, fostering integration and empowerment within the local community. By working collaboratively with partners and volunteers, RAIS ensures that those in need receive the guidance, resources, and care they deserve.
Our Aims
We aim to do this by:
- guiding asylum seekers through the asylum process and supporting refugees as they adapt to life in the UK.
- fostering integration by helping asylum seekers and refugees build strong connections within the local community while promoting independence and confidence.
- helping them understand and embrace UK culture to empower asylum seekers and refugees to navigate their new lives successfully and with dignity and self-sufficiency.
All of our staff and volunteers have experience helping asylum seekers and refugees in our city and are committed to welcoming and supporting them.
If you are an asylum seeker or refugee seeking help why not come to one of our drop-ins. One-on-one office appointments with a designated support worker are available on request. You can also contact us via our website or email us.
Please note we can refer clients to a solicitor if they need one, however, we are not solicitors and we cannot offer legal advice. Also, although we can help with eVisa applications, we cannot help with visa enquiries and will be unable to help you with these types of issues.
Our Impact
During our last financial year, April 2023 to March 2024 there were:
1327 Visits / 383 Clients
seeking help at RAIS drop-ins
£3,534.55
given out in Welfare payments
59 Clients
in financial hardship were helped