How to get support

We help migrants, refugee and asylum seekers get support with things like accommodation, finance, health services and jobs.

This includes help for:

Asylum seekers who are placed in accommodation in Norfolk
Children and their families who cannot access welfare or benefits because of their immigration status
European nationals who need support to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
Migrants who are stranded in Norfolk who want to return to their home country
British citizens who return to live in the UK after living abroad
Unaccompanied children who are seeking asylum and who have been accommodated in Norfolk

We also provide services such as:

Help for non-European migrants with permission to work to find and secure employment
Help to access health services
Help to tackle modern slavery, human trafficking, honour-based abuse, forced marriage, domestic abuse and exploitation

Find out how to contact us if you need help and support. You can also complete our support needs contact form to get information, support and advice.

Other support available in Norfolk

International Welcome sessions offer free advice and practical support to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, and those with lived experience of migration into Norfolk
The Norwich branch of the Red Cross Refugee Service provide advice, advocacy, support and emergency assistance to asylum seekers and refugees in the Norwich area
Citizens Advice provides a wide range of advice and advocacy services. Visit the national Citizens Advice website or contact your local branch:
- Norfolk Citizens Advice
- Diss and Thetford Citizens Advice
GYROS provides information and advice service for migrants in Norfolk and Suffolk. This includes drop-in support sessions in Great Yarmouth and Ipswich.
New Routes Integration provides advice, social support and assistance to asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in the Norwich area
The Bridge Plus+ is a Norfolk-based black/Asian and minority ethnic organisation. They provide advice and support, including helping with welfare benefit claims
Norwich International Youth Project (opens new window) provides activities, support and English classes to young refugees and asylum seekers aged 11-25

The UK Government is replacing physical immigration documents with digital proof of immigration status called an eVisa. Go to www.gov.uk/evisa to find out what you need to do if you use:
- A biometric residence permit (BRP) or
- A biometric residence card (BRC) or
- Another physical document in your passport to prove your rights in the UK, such as a visa vignette
Norfolk Community Law Service provides free, independent legal advice and representation services including:
- Immigration advice
- Welfare benefits advice and advocacy
- Discrimination advice
GYROS provides free immigration advice across Norfolk and Suffolk
You can get immigration advice from Citizens Advice

Register with a doctor (sometimes called a general practitioner or GP). You can talk to them about your general health, and they can help you get other health services if you need them.
You can find other local health services on NHS.UK, including pharmacies, dentists, opticians and sexual health services.
Find advice about health and wellbeing on our website, including services that can help you tackle drug and alcohol use and stop smoking.
Just One Norfolk has advice on healthcare for children, families, and pregnancy
The Covid-19 vaccine is free to eligible people in the UK, even if you are not registered with a doctor or have an NHS number. Information about getting a vaccine if you don't have an NHS number is available on GOV.UK

Wellbeing Norfolk and Waveney provides a range of free wellbeing support, both digital and face to face for people with mental health and emotional issues who are aged 16 and over
Young Minds provides advice and support for young people's mental health, including Trauma - A guide for young people
Anyone over the age of 18 can get mental help support from REST. You can contact them by phone, online, or by visiting the Norwich REST hub in person.
Find organisations that provide bereavement support on the Norfolk Community Directory

Find your nearest Jobcentre for advice on benefits and finding work. Jobcentres offer translation services and can support you when starting a benefits claim.
Start a Universal Credit claim
Turn2us provides information about welfare benefits. You can use their benefits calculator find out what you can claim.
You can get advice and support to apply for benefits and find work from Citizens Advice
Use this easy budget planner to help you to manage your income make sure you have enough money to pay for essentials like food, bills and clothes.
If you cannot pay for your everyday living costs, the Client Hardship Service may be able to help you

Apply for your child to attend a local school
Apply for a school uniform grant. (Word doc, 29 KB) This is a one-off payment towards the cost of a uniform for a child who has arrived in Norfolk through:
- Afghan Resettlement Scheme
- UK Resettlement Scheme
- Homes for Ukraine Scheme
Norfolk Family Information Service can help you find education and childcare for children of all ages
Norfolk Early Childhood and Family Service offer support for all parents and carers with children aged 0 to 5 years
If you are worried about your child, you can get early help and family support
Contact us if you are concerned about a child in Norfolk and want to speak to someone

Adult Learning provides English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) classes across Norfolk
Workers' Educational Association (WEA) offers English language classes (ESOL) to adults (19+) from beginners to advanced (pre-entry to Level 2) contact nturner@wea.org.uk for more information
English+ provides free English language and conversation classes. They also run community and social activities for refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants in the Norwich area.
New Routes Integration provides free English language classes. They also offer community and social activities for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in the Norwich area.
Norwich International Youth Project (opens new window) provides free English classes to young refugees and asylum seekers aged 11-25
NILE provide free English lessons in Norwich over the summer, suitable for over 18s

Your local council can give you support with things like leisure facilities and housing
You can join a library to use free computers and access groups and other services
You can find information about activities, services and groups in your local area on the Norfolk Community Directory

Public transport in Norfolk
Transport plus is a door-to-door service for people who cannot use or access normal public transport services
Flexibus and other pre book schemes are on-demand bus services which anyone can use
Use our online tool to find public or community transport in your area