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Advocacy Forum

The Refugee & Asylum Seeker Advocacy Forum provides a platform for refugees and people seeking asylum in Wales to share their experiences and raise their voices on the issues that directly affect them.

Advocacy Forum Guide

Space to discuss experiences and opinions on issues

The Refugee & Asylum Seeker Advocacy Forum provides a platform for refugees and people seeking asylum in Wales to share their experiences and raise their voices on the issues that directly affect them.

These forums focus on topics such as healthcare, housing, education, and asylum support, and create a space for meaningful dialogue between service users and service providers. Relevant organisations are invited to attend so they can hear directly from forum members and improve the services they deliver.

Advocacy Forum

What is the project?

The Refugee & Asylum Seeker Advocacy Forum provides a platform for refugees and people seeking asylum in Wales to share their experiences and raise their voices on the issues that directly affect them.

These forums focus on topics such as healthcare, housing, education, and asylum support, and create a space for meaningful dialogue between service users and service providers. Relevant organisations are invited to attend so they can hear directly from forum members and improve the services they deliver.

Over the years, the Advocacy Forums have facilitated direct dialogue between refugees, people seeking asylum, and a wide range of influential organisations, including:

Government & Public Services

  • The Home Office
  • Cardiff City Council
  • Local MPs

Support & Community Organisations

  • Clearsprings
  • Migrant Help
  • Housing Options
  • REACH ESOL & RESTART
  • Lift the Ban Coalition

Health Services

  • Cardiff Health Access Practice

Education Providers

  • Cardiff University
  • University of South Wales
  • Cardiff Met University
  • Gower College
  • Coleg Gwent
  • Cardiff and Vale College

These conversations have helped ensure that service providers hear directly from those most affected by their policies and practices, influencing real improvements in accessibility, communication, and service delivery across Wales.

Who is the project for?

This project is open to:

  • People seeking asylum across Wales
  • Refugees living anywhere in Wales
  • Individuals who want to share their experiences or raise issues relating to services such as housing, healthcare, asylum support, or education

The forum is designed specifically for people with lived experience and aims to strengthen inclusion, representation, and accountability within Welsh services.

Why is the project needed?

The Advocacy Forums were established in 2010 to ensure that refugees and people seeking asylum have direct influence over the design and delivery of the services they rely on.

The forums are funded as part of the Wales Sanctuary Service, a Welsh Government‑funded partnership of six organisations promoting and protecting the rights of people seeking asylum.

The forum is made possible and strengthened by the dedication and commitment of our service users and partners, who have been crucial in amplifying the voice and influence of asylum seekers and refugees.

Feedback

We really value the feedback we receive. Here are a few anonymous comments about the difference our work is making.

Thank you for this opportunity to speak about our problems and for listening to our cries.

Asylum Seeker, Healthcare Forum

We wanted to hear from people with direct lived experience and got some really rich information… it will help us not only in creating our leaflets, but in making them accessible and appropriate.

Forum Participant

I appreciate the opportunity to speak with communities about the importance of reporting hate crime.

Forum Participant

Thank you for highlighting these topics. It is very important for asylum seekers and refugees to understand where they stand when it comes to their rights in the UK.

Forum Participant

Thank you so much for a useful and informative session.

Forum Participant

Convenient to attend, informative and very well-chosen guest speakers.

Forum Participant, Solicitors Regulation Authority

How can I join?

All refugees and people seeking asylum across Wales are welcome to join the Advocacy Forum.

The forums run once a month, both:

  • Online (via Zoom)
  • In person (at our Cardiff offices)

We provide:

  • Transport costs within Cardiff boundaries only
  • Mobile data
  • Accessibility accommodations (level access, large print, etc.)

If you have any access requirements or would like to join the next forum, please complete sign-up form.

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