Communities Fund has provided £961 of match funding
Improving Financial Wellbeing of Sanctuary Seekers
Reading, England, United Kingdom
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Aim
To help build sanctuary seekers' knowledge, confidence, and capacity for effective financial decision-making in impoverished circumstances.
Who are we, and what is our project about?
Since 1994, Refugee Support Group has sought to improve the wellbeing and quality of life of refugees and asylum seekers in Berkshire by providing legal advice and casework, English language lessons, practical information and integration support, direct assistance, and referral services which help refugees and asylum seekers active participation and contribution in the Berkshire community. In 2025, we supported 1,137 clients.
Our clients are people who have been forced to leave their homes due to armed conflict, climate change, persecution or fears for their safety. Many have experienced significant hardship and trauma. Their support needs are varied and complex.
Our work addresses urgent issues relating to accommodation, healthcare, immigration status, asylum claims, mental health, alienation and social isolation.
We raise awareness of refugee’s needs and situations with relevant institutions, service providers, and the community at large, to help create a supportive civic environment and build local solidarity. Our goal is for Berkshire to be a welcoming, inclusive society that embraces refugees and asylum seekers with humanity, dignity and respect, in a spirit of sanctuary.
Why are we crowdfunding?
We are raising money to strengthen our work on improving the financial wellbeing of refugees and asylum seekers.
Our clients live on very low incomes, through Universal Credit, low-paid employment or asylum support. Some have no recourse to public funds and are destitute. Most face significant barriers to achieving financial literacy and resilience due to limited English, unfamiliarity with UK systems, and experiences of discrimination. Many lack access to familial or social support networks and are highly isolated. The majority have poor mental health, and many have unresolved trauma. The constant pressures and hindrances caused by living on extremely limited means make it harder for people to respond effectively to the many challenges they face.
How we’ll spend the money raised
Providing financial wellbeing workshops & casework.
Providing Interpreters.
Volunteer support.
Hardship/emergency support.
How you can help
There are three simple ways to get involved and support our project:
1. Make a donation
Every pledge gets us closer to our goal. Early support can help build momentum and inspire others to give too.
****Donations up to £250 will be matched. Multiple donations from the same donor will not be matched.****
2. Spread the word
Share our project with friends, family and your wider network. The more people we reach, the more likely we are to succeed.
3. Volunteer with us
If you’d like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch through the ‘Contact’ section using the subject "I want to volunteer my time or expertise" on our project page. Visit our website to get involved!
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 17th August 2026 at 11:29am