SHARE Tawe

Who Are We?

SHARE Tawe was started by the Destitution Working Group of Swansea City of Sanctuary. The Group was formed out of a concern for the number of destitute asylum seekers in Swansea, estimated to be currently up to 100.

The project is now run with support from Shelter Cymru and the SHARE Tawe steering group has representatives from Asylum Justice, Caer Las, Oxfam, British Red Cross, City & County Of Swansea, Displaced People In Action, Swansea Quaker Meeting, Welsh Refugee Council, Swansea Bay Asylum Seekers Support Group, Gwalia.

SHARE Tawe has nothing to do with the Home Office or NASS.

What is our aim?

To offer hospitality, in the form of accommodation, meals, welcome and solidarity, to destitute asylum seekers in Swansea.

How do Asylum Seekers become Destitute?

Asylum seekers become destitute because they have been refused sanctuary by the Government and all financial and other forms of support has been withdrawn from them. (asylum seekers with children under 18, whose asylum application is refused, will continue to get section 95 support (accommodation and cash)

In very limited circumstances refused asylum seekers can apply for ‘Hard Case’ support, or Section 4, as it is known. But only a small number of the people who apply for this support are successful, which means many end up destitute.

Many other asylum seekers don’t apply for Section 4, because they are afraid, as it means they will have to agree to return home to countries where there is on-going conflict, violence or human rights abuses, so they remain here, cold and hungry on our streets. For more information on destitution watch the video at the bottom of this page.

So what can we do to help?

SHARE Tawe is looking for volunteers who will:

• Host someone: Offer a room in their Home to a destitute asylum seeker for a Night, a Weekend, 2 Weeks or longer.

• Support a Host by inviting their Guest to Dinner, once a week, once a month….

• *Buy a Mobile Phone Top-up Card for a Guest

• *Buy a Bus Pass

(*set up a Standing Order for these options)

How does the Hosting process work?

In its simplified form:

• The Host first registers, then provides dates of availability that are put onto the co-ordinators’ database

• The Host will be contacted when we have a referral to check that those dates are still free.

• The Hosting Co-ordinator will arrange a time to collect the Guest and bring them to the Hosts’ accommodation.

• The Guest will then meet the Host, go through the basic ground rules and if both are happy, set a day for the Guest to move in.

How are Asylum Seekers referred to the Project?

Asylum seekers can’t refer themselves, they have to be referred by the Welsh Refugee Council.

Are you interested in finding out more about hosting?

Visit our website www.sharetawe.org.uk or e-mail info@sharetawe.org.uk

We’ll be delighted to hear from you!

For more information on destitution watch the video below and visit the website. www.stillhuman.org