Christmas and New Year
Find out how your bin collection days and our opening hours are different over Christmas and New Year.
Support for refugees and asylum seekers
Who to contact if you're seeking asylum or are a refugee and need help or advice.
Our support
We provide a range of services for asylum claimants and refugees in the Westmorland and Furness area.
For example, we help people to:
- register with a GP
- enroll children at a local school
- attend weekly support drop-ins and cultural activities
- access volunteer groups and other services
- apply for housing and benefits
Further information can be found in our asylum support offer.
We cannot offer legal advice or guidance on the asylum seeking process. Migrant Help can assist people with the asylum process.
Help with the cost of living
You may be eligible for additional support to help with the cost of living.
For example, the warm spot scheme or food support advice.
Drop-in support sessions
We offer weekly drop-in sessions for people to meet members of the local refugee community.
The sessions are held in several locations and at different times during the week. If would like to attend, please send an email to our Resettlement Team using the contact information below.
How to contact us
If you have questions for our Resettlement Team, including the dates and locations for our drop-in support sessions, please email: refugee.support.waf@cumbria.gov.uk
If you’re seeking asylum and need support, please email: asylum.waf@cumbria.gov.uk
Support offered by other organisations
Migrant Help
Migrant Help provides independent advice and guidance to assist asylum seekers in the UK moving through the asylum process.
Migrant Help asylum helpline
Migrant Help free Asylum helpline that is open 24 hours per day.
Telephone: 0808 8010 503
Furness Refugee Support
Furness Refugee Support offers practical help such as shopping, going to appointments and learning English.
They also have provide a regular programme of learning, networking and access to volunteering.
Furness Multicultural Community Forum
The Furness Multicultural Community Forum delivers youth inclusion and community work in the Barrow-in-Furness area.
Penrith and Eden Refugee Network
The Penrith and Eden Refugee Network provides practical support to refugees and asylum seekers in Eden, Penrith and Carlisle. This may include English classes and clubs, legal information and a befriending service.