We're no longer using Twitter/X for our comms. We believe that the current culture of the platform, its ownership & moderation policy does not align with CARAS values of inclusivity and social justice. Find us on📷Instagram,📘Facebook or💼LinkedIn. 📲bit.ly/3YuRXzM

We're shocked to hear revelations about the lack of oversight of asylum contracts by the UK gov🚨 The fallout of bad regulation and profiteering is felt by communities like ours, who regularly face problems with accommodation quality, support & the threat of dispersal📣⚠️

Last month we had an excellent training with @HelenBamber on how best to identify, support & refer victims of trafficking💗🫲 Here are some thoughts about the training from our team⬆️

These are tough times: more people in need of support, less funding available, and policies that punish people seeking safety. Support us💓 Donate now📲caras.org.uk/donate/

New research from @RefugeeEdUK shows thousands of teenage asylum seekers are left in education limbo❌ The report shows that the work of charities (like CARAS) have been essential for 'bridging the gap' but the gov must step up🆙 Read it📲bit.ly/3BjqJTB

Near the end of summer, some of our young people took part in a Big Pants Theatre Company workshop, on summer & the beach, linked to a recent Brighton trip🏖️ Through theatre games & emotive performances, they expressed themselves creatively beyond the limits of just words🎭💫

Over the past summer residential, trips to the beach, the lido, a football stadium and much more, & our youth club sessions, CARAS programs engaged 64 young people, involving them in fun & transformative experiences⚽🐚⬆️ 💥#ImpactFridays

Azad, a sanctuary seeker from Iran housed on the Bibby Stockholm, is featured in an @AJEnglish mini-doc. He describes coming to the UK seeking safety but finding adversity❗ He finds hope in solidarity & a potentially positive future in his new home🏠 📲bit.ly/3XvgGn7

In the aftermath of this summer's racist disorder, more than 25 community leaders in Leicester came together as part of a @CitizensUK initiative to show compassion & celebrate local people seeking asylum🪧🎈 Check out the full story📲bit.ly/3TtSEGF

After a wait of up to 9 months, 15 remaining students in our Get Ready for School programme 2023-4 start school/college this month!🎒 In the time they've patiently waited, our community have kept themselves busy with sports, travel & summer school to improve their English ⚽👣🗣️

CARAS youth members visited the beautiful @LeeValleyWWC to enjoy a day of hydrospeeding & chilling by the water🌊🚤🚩 Thanks to the amazing team on site and to our grant providers for making our important, enriching #trips program possible👣

#Volunteers are the heart of our community⭐ New, highly rewarding opportunities have become available in the past couple of weeks – we're looking for a Youth ESOL Teaching Assistant, an ESOL Welcome Volunteer + many other roles🆙 Join us📲bit.ly/47gY0KT

We're so proud that our casework team is always able to connect our community members to the brilliant local support, resources, and services that they need🔌💗 We really want to thank @welcareuk for providing such great support to CARAS families🤝

Music, art and community: people at our coffee afternoons expressing themselves in many different ways🌟 In the session from this photo, the facilitator Louise ran a session focused on music & art, showing how to create album covers using old CDs!💿🖌️

Last month, a group of our young people went on a #trip, thanks to the @JPFoundation Achievement Award, to Emirates Stadium, getting a tour of the home grounds of Arsenal Football Club🏟️ We work hard to ensure our community can have the special experiences they deserve👣📍

In just one month over the summer, 60 learners were supported in our ESOL provision, finding support to prepare for college, boosting their skills and confidence and getting ready for exams 🗣️💯📝 💥#ImpactFridays

At the end of summer, our young people took an exciting trip to Brighton Beach, swimming, playing volleyball, visiting the pier☀️🏖️ It's a rare opportunity for our community to enjoy the British seaside and an example of how important our programme of #trips is👣📍

Earlier this month we joined 50+ orgs demanding @YvetteCooperMP halt reopening Haslar & Campsfield detention centres!🛑 Detention destroys lives—it's time for change. Support humane, community alternatives!📣 #ChooseFreedom #EndDetention Read the letter📲bit.ly/4gt1HRT

#Trips like our thrilling summer residential, are so important for young people in our community👣📍 Being active in the outdoors is a key part of good mental and physical health 🌤️🫀

🗣️''Believe in yourself, you are really powerful.'' Community member Saba and her mentor Mel reflect on what they've achieved. Thanks @routeswomen for your confidence-boosting, relationship-building work & for being a fabulous referral partner🚀🤝 Read📲bit.ly/3McXlRa