Salvation Army awarded contract to help refugees in Hyndburn

Salvation Army awarded council contract for supporting refugees across Hyndburn

The Salvation Army has been awarded a three year contract by Lancashire County Council to offer support to refugees and asylum seekers through providing a weekly drop in service.

The drop in facility, which will operate out of the church and charity’s Lifehouse (hostel) Crossroads on Empress Street, Accrington, will see a specialist support worker available to help clients across Hyndburn access health, education, employment, benefits, housing and immigration support. 

Drop-ins will take place every Tuesday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and interpreters can be booked to help with any language barriers. For those individuals who may need legal immigration support, a representative from an immigration advice service will be available once a month and this service can be booked in advance.

Samantha Harrison, service manager at The Salvation Army’s Lifehouse, Crossroads in Accrington said: “We have already been serving young refugees at Crossroads for some time, and it was due to this work that gave us the confidence to apply for the contract from Lancashire County Council to run this service for adults. We know there is a lot of demand in the area.

“Our team have the skills and knowledge and a real passion to help, we don’t want to see people suffering anymore. We will support refugees with any issue, even if they are just looking for someone to talk to.  People can come along as often as they want to, they’re not restricted to a one-time session.”

The Refugee Wellbeing Service contract has been awarded by Lancashire County Council following an application process and will last for three years.