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28 Day Transition Project


Enabling asylum seekers who have very recently been granted refugee status to transition successfully from living as asylum seekers in Home Office accommodation, to living independently in alternative accommodation and integrating successfully into local communities throughout Leeds, Bradford & Wakefield.​​

The Challenge...

Currently, newly granted refugees are given a 28 day “grace period” before the Home Office withdraws all financial and accommodation support. During this period, they are expected to:
​

- Access mainstream benefits or employment, along with their National Insurance Number
- Secure their own accommodation
- Open a current bank account​ in which to receive their financial support 

This rapid change in circumstances is a challenge for newly arrived refugees, often with limited or no understanding of the English language and UK systems.

Equally, family reunion members who join a family member in the UK who already has positive leave to remain status, have no grace period at all​ as do not go through the same asylum process and often find themselves destitute as a result. ​

The Solution

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As this project has a key focus on successful transition to independent living and is constrained by a very short 'grace-period', it is important that priorities are established in order to reduce the risk of destitution. In order to address essential needs such as housing and financial support, our advisers work through a systematic action plan with our service users. ​This action plan was developed using our understanding of the process and has developed in line with our continually expanding knowledge of the challenges faced. 
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The other crucial part of this project is our mentoring scheme which involves using trained volunteer mentors to support advisers by taking services users to appointments, helping them to access key services and ​
We are also continually developing links with different organisations who can assist with parts of the process including with housing, bank accounts, employability, furniture, benefits etc 

Impact

"You give me confidence by telling me that I have the ability to sort out my needs...I agree now because now I speak good English and my wife is a PhD graduate in pharmacy"
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Our mentors are often newly granted refugees who have themselves just been through the process which creates a really strong peer-to-peer support structure. 
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“Only this morning I felt extremely worried about how I would manage everything, but now I have come to RETAS and I know everything is going to be OK.”
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"Thank you so much for all your support. Really, you cared about me even when I didn't care about myself."
Some of our mentors are also still asylum seekers which has helped to prepare them for what they must do when they are themselves granted refugee status. 
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Referrals

Who is eligible for this project?

  • A newly granted refugee (and any dependants) who has Positive Leave to Remain status in the UK
  • A newly granted refugee (and any dependants) who has Humanitarian Protection status in the UK
  • A family reunion partner (and any dependents) who has joined their partner who already has Positive Leave to Remain status in the UK 

Who can refer?
  • Can refer yourself if you are a newly granted refugee/ family reunion partner  in need of support
  • Can refer a friend
  • Organisations and services can make referrals to our project 

How to refer?
  • Fill out an online referral form below
  • Fill out our downloadable referral form
  • Contact the office using the contact details below

For more information on the 28 Day Transition project, please contact the RETAS Office:
- fidelis@retasleeds.co.uk
​- 0113 380 5630
Refer yourself or someone else to the project

    RETAS Referral Form

    Referral for 28 Day Project with RETAS
    Include Name and Organisation if applicable
    In case we need to contact you regarding this referral

    Service User must be 19 years or older to be eligible for RETAS services
    To enable us to arrange an appointment with them
Submit
Download Referral Form

How can you help?


We are continually training new and existing mentors to support advisers to ensure that service users avoid isolation, debt issues and destitution. 
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28 Day Transition Mentor


A role that involves assisting refugees in the time period from gaining refugee status, in order to avoid isolation and destitution. This is a challenging time when individuals have 28 days to secure accommodation, register for benefits and find a job. 

Both office based & external; Leeds, Bradford or Wakefield; varied times & days. 

Click here to find out more...


About Us

Established in 2002, RETAS (Refugee Education Training Advice Service) has a vision to see all refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants to feel welcome and supported to fully integrate into society.

​We provide assistance with access to education, re-qualification, training and employment to help them better integrate in their communities. We strive to build confidence and hope in our service users, and empower them to build a safe and secure life here in the UK.

Contact Us

233-237 Roundhay Road
The Roundhay Road Resource Centre
Leeds, LS8 4HS
​

Tel:

07949 796180

​
Email: ​​info@retasleeds.org.uk

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RETAS is a registered Charity. Charity Number: 1121330 - Company Number 6365085
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Our Policies & Procedures
    • Our Partners & Funders
  • What We Do
    • ESOL Classes
    • Welcome to Leeds Project
    • 28 Day Transition Project
    • New Roots >
      • Engage
      • Aspire
    • Syrian Resettlement Programme
    • Signposting & Advocacy
  • Access Our Services
    • Refer To Us
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer With Us
    • Donate or Fundraise
    • Vacancies
  • Blog
  • New Page