What is the The Refugee Trust?

The Refugee Trust is a registered charity (Registered Charity No. 1111772) which has been set up to provide relief to people who are seeking asylum and who are destitute. The trust was set up by a group of concerned individuals supporting people seeking asylum, through voluntary organisations, community groups, church groups and the local council. The members of the trust have seen the difficulties that people experience.

Trust members operate independently of any other organisations.

Why a Refugee Trust?

The Refugee Trust was set up in September 2004 in the wake of the passing of the notorious Section 55 of the Nationality, Imigration and Asylum Act 2002. Section 55 stripped people seeking asylum of all the benefits and means of providing for themselves. Although the courts have forced the Government to effectively suspend s.55, there are still a large number of asylum seekers who are not receiving even the most basic and minimal support, whilst at the same time being prevented from working.

What does the Trust do today?

Despite the effective suspension of s.55, there are still many people seeking asylum that continue to suffer from extreme poverty and destitution. Whilst this situation continues to exist, The Refugee Trust will continue to work towards releieving the ill effects of destitution.

More Information

For information on The Refugee Trust's mission statement click here and for information on the trustees please click here