Action for Refugees in Lewisham

Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) is a Registered Charity (No: 1116344) and a Company Limited by Guarantee (No: 5819537) based in Lewisham, in South East of London. We have operated since 2007 in the London Boroughs of Lewisham, Bromley, Greenwich and Southwark with the aim to relieve the poverty of refugees, advance their education and educate the general public of their rights and needs.

AFRIL offers advice and advocacy service for asylum seekers, refugees and those from BME backgrounds in a range of specialist topics including NASS support, welfare benefits, employment, health, housing, education. We run outreach service for vulnerable and isolated individuals and their families, whom we visit at home to assess and address their needs. We are affiliated to Advice UK and link to a number of local and national advice agencies such as Lewisham Multi-Lingual Advice Centre, Lewisham Law Centre, and the Refugee Council.

AFRIL runs the Rainbow Family Learning Centre which offers classes in ESOL and mathematics for children and adults. We have a day centre offering yoga classes, sewing workshops, games, drama as well as educational and recreational trips. We also offer IT classes and one-to-one support to individuals in their job search and CV preparation. Finally, we have dedicated counselling service and offer practical help and support to destitute asylum seekers.

We offer many volunteering opportunities at our office where a number of local refugee professionals come to volunteer to further their skills and practice English in a work environment.