Support for refugees

On this page:

Top things to do when you arrive

  1. Open a UK bank account, you will need this to receive wages and social security benefits.
  2. Use our benefit calculator to see if you should be getting any benefits or financial support and how to apply.
  3. Register to get a National Insurance number, anyone who wants to work in the UK must have a National Insurance (NI) number. The government uses it to record your taxes while you’re employed in the UK.
  4. Register with a doctor’s surgery, this is where you would usually go for non-urgent health problems. They can treat many conditions and give health advice or refer you to other NHS services. After registering, you will get an NHS number.

Where to get support

The Refugee Support Group is Berkshire’s Refugee Charity in Reading. They help refugees and asylum seekers to rebuild their lives in Berkshire.

The charity provides a safe space and can provide service users with access to OISC accredited immigration and advice.

The support group help to identify the needs of the service users. Then they give them information about the appropriate services they may need. This can be practical support, information about social activities or where to get specialist advice.

They also have a variety of programmes including a drop in service to help reduce loneliness and isolation and improve mental health.

You can get more information from the Refugee Support Group website, call 01189505356 or email info@rrsg.org.uk.

The Refugee Council is a national charity that works with refugees and people seeking asylum.

The services they can provide include:

  • Crisis advice, mental health counselling and practical support to help people settle and integrate into their new community
  • They are specialists in working with refugee children who arrive in the UK alone

You can get more information from The Refugee Council website and contact form.

You can also get advice and support on a range of issues from:

  • The Money Matters pages have lots of useful information on the advice and support that is available to you.
  • Citizens Advice provide support and advice on a range of subjects including law and courts and immigration.
  • CommuniCare is a local charity that offers information, advice, and support including benefits, form filling, carers support, local community information.
  • The Mustard Tree supports and empowers the marginalised or overlooked. They create and support projects which address unmet needs.
  • You can also search for support that is available to you on the Reading Services Guide.

Open a bank account

When you first arrive, you might not have some of the required proof needed to open a bank account. However, some banks will accept different proof to allow you to open an account.

The Citizens Advice website has a guide on getting a  basic bank account. You can apply for these if you do not have the usual forms of identification or proof of address.

More information on the banks that offer basic bank accounts and what each bank calls them.

Check if you can claim benefits

Use our quick and easy benefit checker to find out if you can claim any benefits or financial help. It is worth checking even if you are working or on a low income.  

More information and support is available on our Money Matters web pages.

If you have debts

If you have debts, money advice can help you consider the options available to you to resolve your debts in a realistic time. 

Money advice can help reduce the stress and anxiety that money worries can bring. It can help you make sure you are receiving all the benefits and financial support you should be. It can also help you set a manageable budget keeping costs down.

More information on where to get money advice is available on our Money Matters section of the website.

Emergency services

  • Telephone: 999 for all emergencies for police, fire, or ambulance
  • Telephone: 111 for advice on health concerns
  • Telephone: 101 for non-urgent police enquiries

If you think someone is at risk of harm you must tell someone. More information on protecting children and protecting adults.

Health and wellbeing

This is information you might find helpful when you arrive. Our health and wellbeing page has more details of support that is available.

Find an NHS dentist

The NHS will provide necessary treatment to keep your mouth, teeth, and gums healthy and free of pain.

Find an NHS dentist

Healthwatch Reading

Healthwatch Reading can help you get the health and social care services you need.

Health for children

Berkshire healthcare provide information and support for school-age children. They make sure the children get appropriate health support, including immunisation and vaccination.
More information on the School-Aged Immunisation Team

Children’s Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

The Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) can help young people experiencing difficulties with their mental health. If you or your child are having a tough time, it’s important that you seek help.

Contact Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) to get a referral.

If you have urgent concerns about a mental health problem or about a young person contact NHS Berkshire Healthcare Mental Health Access Team on 0300 247 0000. This phone line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Children

Enrol into a school

Reading has schools for children all around the borough. If you’d like to enrol a child in a school, please contact: admissions@brighterfuturesforchildren.org or phone 0118 937 3777 (option 1).
Find more information about school admissions and term times

Support services for children and young people

Housing

We have a housing section on the website with useful information and advice.

You can contact the Housing Advice Team for advice and support including if you are at risk of losing your home.

We have a Refugee and Asylum team that you can contact for more detailed advice, email refugeeandasylumteam@reading.gov.uk.

You may be able to get furniture, bedding and kitchen items at a reduced cost from Christian Community Action.  

Phone 0118 951 2337 or email support@ccam.org.uk

Help with food

We have advice and support with the cost of food and where you can get food on our Money Matters pages.

Life events

Reading Registry Office Services are where you:

  • Register a birth or death
  • Get a copy of a birth, marriage, or death certificate
  • Give notice of marriage

Telephone: 0118 937 3533
Email: register.office@reading.gov.uk

Adult education

Earley Crescent Resource Centre offers English classes and training courses.

New Directions College offers English classes and training courses.

Reading College offers English courses for work or study.

The University of Reading offers scholarships to eligible sanctuary seekers.

Leisure

Join a library for free, you can use your library card for lots of things including:

  • Library computers are free to use with your card
  • Library Wi-Fi is free to use with your card
  • Library eBooks are free to use with your card
  • Library books and children’s books are free to use with your card

You can join the Reading Coffee Mornings which are usually held on Saturdays at Reading Central Library. The sessions provide an avenue to meet other residents and learn more about living in Reading.

Living Reading is a website that provides a variety of information about living in Reading. It covers many things from shopping, travel to entertainment. It’s a useful website to research more about the leisure activities available.

More information on Leisure Activities is on the Money Matters section.

Last updated on 04/11/2024