£10m funding ​‘lifeline’ highlighted during Refugee Week

City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation’s charity funder, has awarded 40 grants totalling £4 million for projects specifically aimed at supporting refugees, asylum seekers and migrants across the capital.

Meanwhile, over the same period, a further £6 million was awarded to 42 schemes which are partially aimed at people from those groups.

The milestone was passed as the trust marks Refugee Week, which runs all this week and celebrates the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.

The Bike Project, based in Camberwell, received £71,200 from City Bridge Trust for its work donating bikes to refugees and asylum seekers from across London.

Fund-raising manager Ryshel Patel said: ​“The people we work with have had to deal with all kinds of issues including war, conflict, violence and persecution, and many have also endured really harrowing experiences on their journey to the UK.

“The bikes make their lives easier, enabling them to access work and medical and legal services and saving them money they’d otherwise have to spend on travel. It also has a really positive effect on their health and gives them a feeling of freedom.”

Breaking Barriers received £123,000 to provide holistic support for unemployed refugees across London, helping them build the skills and confidence they need to access meaningful employment and participate more fully in their new community.

Chief Executive Matt Powell said: ​“Many of our clients are hugely qualified and experienced but sometimes there are steps they need to take to ensure their qualifications are recognised here, which we can help them navigate.

“We’re able to help clients find stable, meaningful employment which matches their ambitions and experience, to help them understand the working culture here in the UK and to feel more confident and better connected.”

The Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants is using its £192,910, five-year grant to fund staff and running costs for its ​‘one-stop shop’ support service helping migrants with issues including accessing housing, healthcare and legal advice.

Head of fundraising and communication Anna Giokas said: ​“People often describe us as their family or their home, where they come when they need help. We’ve had great success stories, including helping people get refugee status, which opens up all kinds of doors in terms of getting a job, somewhere to live or a university place.”

Camden-based charity Hope for the Young received £188,200 to provide a volunteer-led mentoring programme to young asylum seekers and refugees aged 16 to 25, who receive help with matters including improving their English, enrolling in education and accessing other services.

Chief executive Matt Blacker said: ​“The young people we work with have often experienced persecution or war in their home country and some very traumatic situations during their journey to the UK, meaning they may find themselves in a situation of confusion and despair when they arrive here alone.

“Meeting regularly with their mentor can transform a young person’s life so they reach a position where they feel more stable and have a clear idea of what steps they need to take to achieve their goals. It helps them build the confidence and skills they need to make friends, become less isolated and settle into their communities.”

The New Cross Gate Trust received a £175,600 grant to provide English as a second language classes which will help hundreds of refugees in Lewisham and Southwark to boost their confidence and feel less isolated.

Centre manager Jill Mountford said: ​“One of the things that people really get out of the classes is the social aspect. It helps them to feel connected with people in the community and gives them a feeling of growing confidence and hope for the future.”

Sutton Women’s Centre received a £121,850 grant from City Bridge Trust to provide English classes to help women migrants and refugees acclimatise to life in the UK.

Centre manager Liz McGarry said: ​“The women we work with often feel isolated, struggle with the language barrier and don’t understand the culture here.

“Learning English gives our women confidence and choices. They take control of their lives and some have found jobs or education. The classes are instrumental in changing their lives in a positive way so they can contribute to society as a whole.”

The City of London Corporation’s charity funder, City Bridge Trust, is London’s biggest independent grant giver. It awards grants of over £30 million a year to tackle disadvantage across the capital.

It has also made an extra £200 million available over five years from 2021 to 2026 to support London’s charity sector

More information on Refugee Week is at www.refugeeweek.org.uk