BRASS - Befriending Refugees and Asylum Seekers

sylvieThere is a lot of misunderstanding about the people who find themselves in the difficult position of leaving their homes, families and friends and become refugees.

• A Refugee is someone who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted, is outside his country of origin and is unable, or, owing to such fear, unwilling, to avail himself of the protection of that country.
• Reasons for this include: Race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion
• Those seeking protection in the UK are called "Asylum Seekers."
• By definition there is no such thing as an illegal Asylum Seeker.
• Equally, there is no such thing as a "bogus" asylum seeker

BRASS is the major charity in Bolton working exclusively for the benefit of asylum seekers, refugees and refused asylum seekers living within the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton.

BRASS is widely recognised for its open drop-in centre in the heart of Bolton Town Centre, and its innovative methods of teaching English to all of its service users, particularly where it gives those refugees with permission to work a better opportunity of gaining meaningful and sustainable employment.

BRASS also runs a flagship Destitution Project for those refused asylum seekers living in Bolton who are totally destitute. This project provides vital