Resources

Here you will find a list of links to local and national resources you might find helpful for individuals with refugee status or those claiming asylum.  If you come across any useful resources you think we should add or notice any missing or out of date information, please do let us know using the form at the bottom of the page.

Benefits

Claim Child Benefit if you’re responsible for bringing up a child under 16 or under 20, or in approved education or training. Find out what you’ll get, eligibility criteria, how to make a claim, and how to report changes of circumstances.

Manage your Tax Credits:

• report actual income from self-employment if you estimated it when you renewed (the deadline is 31 January)
• tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) about changes to your circumstances, for example you get married or your working hours change
• find out how much and when you’ll be paid

Sign in to your Universal Credit account to:

• apply for an advance on your first payment
• see your statement
• report a change in circumstances
• add a note to your journal
• see your to-do list
• see when your next payment will be
• see your Claimant Commitment

Or call the Universal Credit helpline: 0800 328 5644

Check what you are entitled to with an online​ benefits calculator.

Blackburn with Darwen Refugee and Asylum Support 

Please visit or contact either ARC in Blackburn or DARE in Darwen for local casework, English Classes, Social Drop-In's and Support.  You can also pick up a free SIM card with Mobile Data from ARC or DARE.

ARC

DARE

Education

Information on school admissions including appeals for Blackburn with Darwen.

You can find Bus Pass guidelines here.

You can find children and young people with Special Education Needs and disabilities aged 0-25 in Blackburn with Darwen here.

Family

The Start for Life Family Hub web site is the gateway to information of where services are, it details everything a family will need in those 1001 critical days and beyond. Our Family hubs and Children centres are our Single point of access to those start for life, wider services and family help. The hubs and children centres are the physical places where a family can visit and speak to a trained staff member, face to face, who will provide them with straightforward information or advice on a wide range of family issues spanning the 0-19 (25 with SEND) age range and connect them appropriately to further services across that age range if they need more targeted or specialist support.

Family hubs and Childrens Centres provide many services, including but not limited to:

• Community Café
• Early language Support
• Healthy Start vitamins.
• Holiday activity and food
• Infant feeding support
• Parenting support
• Sensory room
• Community services/family support

Faith

If you are looking for a welcoming church to connect to, Welcome Churches can help.

Finance

Both asylum seekers and refugees can apply to open a bank account.   You will need to supply an up to date ARC or Residency Card, letter that confirms their address (normally the Serco Housing Contract or an independent letter from support agency, Doctor or from ARC or DARE that confirms the relevant details).

Jubilee Tower Credit Union is a local credit union that provides loans and savings accounts.

You can apply online for a bank account, for example: Halifax Bank

If you are looking for help to get out of debt, find a job, manage your money or gain vital life skills you can contact CAP or get advice here.

Food

In emergency situations, referrals can be made to:

​Blackburn Food Bank 01254 672756
Darwen Food Larder: 07369 211461 

Furniture

You can apply for a local community care grant for help with getting household essentials.  The scheme will not provide assistance through the award of money but will purchase and deliver household items to successful applicants.  Items that will be considered under the local community care grants scheme include:

• beds and mattresses
• electric or table-top cooker
• other second hand household furniture/white goods through provision of a voucher to a charitable/second hand organisation

(No cash payments will be made under any circumstances)

Rummage Rescuers (01254 264093) have a supply of white goods and furniture a very reasonable prices. 

Health

Find out what health care refugees and asylum seekers are eligible for here.

If you on unsure where to go for help, 111 online will direct you to the best place to get help for your symptoms or you can call 111 (you can ask for an interpretor).

Find a local NHS dentist here or call ​0300 311 2233.

For emergency dentist appointments: 0300 123 410 

How to register with a GP

Find a local GP

Get help with NHS prescriptions and health costs

Mental health Services in Blackburn with Darwen

​Blackburn with Darwen NHS Mental Health Crisis line: 01254 226047

Sexual Health service in Blackburn with Darwen

TB, Hepatitis and HIV testing and advice is available from both the ARC and DARE Drop Ins.

Home Office

Contact Migrant Help​ for help with:

• How to claim asylum
• Navigating the asylum process
• Applying for asylum support including accommodation
• Finding legal representation
• Accessing healthcare
• Post-decision period
• Other asylum and post-asylum claim related matters
• Maintenance issues in SERCO/asylum accommodation.
• Asylum payment issues
• Complaints and feedback

Phone 0808 8010 503 - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Webchat: www.migranthelpuk.org/pages/category/asylum 
Email: [email protected] or find a list of specific email addresses here.

Contact your local MP for Blackburn with Darwen.  You can phone and make an appointment.
Constituency office, 1st Floor, the Community Hub, 35 Railway Road, Blackburn, BB1 1EZ
Phone: 01254 52317
Email: [email protected]

ARC (Asylum Reference Card) You can renew or ask for a new card here.

Housing

To find housing projects supporting refugees and asylum seekers local to you (UK): NACCOM.​

Shelter has resources regarding homelessness and housing.

Local Services

Blackburn with Darwen Housing Needs 

• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 01254 585444

Blackburn with Darwen Council Tax
Telephone 01254 585585 and press 1 for Benefits, Council tax and Business Rates

​You can make a Council Tax Support claim here.
To speak to an advisor call: 01254 585585 and use the following menu options: 1, 3, 1, 2.

Blackburn with Darwen Pest Control

Blackburn with Darwen Bins and Waste Services

Find a Home to Rent

Blackburn with Darwen Landlords

Be With Us
General telephone​ enquiries: 01282 686 300
​Password reset for Be With Us: 0300 555 55 60

Onward Homes

Together Housing

Places for People

List of Lancashire Housing Associations

Languages

Learning English

Please contact Learn English BwD to find English Classes across Blackburn with Darwen.

For great quality online learning resources visit try the BBC Learning English Resources.

Translating

Google Translate

Microsoft Translator

Solicitors

Solicitors in area: Few are now taking on legal aid but others to try are:
Compass in Bolton 01204 531535
Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit 0161 740 7722
WTB Solicitors 01612243311

Travel

Train Travel:  Please be aware that you can be fined for not having a valid train ticket.  Darwen is a unmanned train station.  Aspen cards may not be accepted as payment so you will need to get a 'Promise to pay later' ticket. Appeals can be made within 28 days.

You can purchase train tickets from the Trainline app.

Wellbeing

Refer yourself to The Greenhouse Project to get more physically active while enjoying peace, laughter, creativity, learning, belonging and friendship.  People joining the project will also get the chance to participate in conservation activities, bushcraft, wildlife walks and mindfulness activities. 

The Bureau is an artist led arts and community centre in the heart of Blackburn, providing versatile space for arts activities, theatre, music, cultural events and community participation.  Follow the ling to get involved as a participant or a volunteer.

Take part in a local 5K Parkrun at Witton Park every Saturday at 9am!  Parkrun is a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!

Visit the Library!  Membership of the library service is free to all. There is no minimum age for joining at a branch library, but those under the age of 16 years will require a parent or guardian to be present. Anyone over the age of 11 can join online to access to eBook, eAudio and online resources. 

Weblinks

• Asylum Matters
• British Red Cross Preston 
• British Red Cross Family Reunion 
• Refugee Council 
• Right to Remain Toolkit ​

Work

The Refugee Employability Programme delivered by Maximus can help prepare refugees for work and life in England through individual support and a learning plans from your own Case Manager, so you can improve your English and career skills.  The Refugee Employability Programme can help you for up to 18 months with:

• Learning English
• Work Experience
• Accessing health services
• Skills and training
• Finding and staying in work
• Settling in

You can apply if you:

• Are a refugee
• Live in the North West 
• Have Indefinite Leave to Remain (known as settled status), or on the 5-year pathway to settled status
• Need extra support to find a job
• Are unemployed
• Have not used this service before.
  

​Click the link to begin the registration process.