Latest News

CRC new website launched!

Today we have great pleasure in launching our new website!

This will enable us to share more information with the friends of our charity, our co-workers in other organisations working in similar and related fields, our other colleagues and our growing band of supporters - all who provide valuable assistance and help to address the issues and needs of asylum seekers.

Please take a look around, we welcome your comments and constructive criticism!

The Hope Fund - Coventry appeal for funds to help local destitute

Growing destitution among Coventry's asylum seeking population has prompted us to launch a new appeal for 2011. The growing pattern of destitution locally is swamping the centre's current ability to help. You can read about how we do help in the 'Crisis' section of the 'Advice and Advocacy' chapter and the 'Destitution' chapter of the website.

We plan a campaign of activities for early 2011 to raise the level of regular donations we need. Our aim is to generate £1,000 per month of regular donations by standing orders to The Hope Fund - Coventry, this will permit us to give practical assistance to those who have no one else to turn to.

Regular donations are warmly welcomed, please download and complete the form which can be found on the 'Destitution' and 'Support Us' pages of this website.

Womens Group January 2011 Activities

There are lots of things happening in The Womens Group over the next few months in 2011! New Year sessions start by welcoming all back to the Women’s Group on 6th January at Hillfields Children Centre.

Thursday 6th January 2011 from 1pm to 3pm general Womens Group meeting

Thursday 13th January from 1pm to 3pm we will be running an ‘Introduction to Sewing’ Class

Thursday 20th January from 1pm to 3pm we will running a ‘Beginners Sewing Class’ (following on from the Introduction Class)

Thursday 27th January we will be running a class on ‘How to Make Cupcakes’

Performance of Asylum Monolgues on Human Rights Day in aid of Coventry's destitute

We are holding a performance of Asylum Monolgues on 10th December, Human Rights Day.

What: Performance of Asylum Monologues

When: Friday 10th December at 6.30 - 9pm

Where: Diamond Room 2, Council House, Earl Street, Coventry, CV1 5RR

In aid of: Collections will be taken for 'The Hope Fund - Coventry'

Admission: Free

Please join us for a free performance of the Asylum Monologues by the renowned iceandfire theatre company. It is being hosted by Coventry Refugee Centre and NCADC (National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns) and is arranged to coincide with Human Rights Day.

Asylum Monologues weaves together first-hand testimonies about the UK's asylum system in the words of three individuals who have experienced it. With personal testimony at its core combined with public opinion, political statements and statistical fact, this production disseminates what it really means to be displaced in the UK.

It is scripted by award-winning playwright Sonja Linden, drawn from actual conversations and reveals the moving, funny and poignant relationships between British people and refugees who have fled violence and persecution in their own countries. More information at www.iceandfire.co.uk

Attendance for this performance at the Council House, Earl Street is free, so please come early to ensure a seat - first come first served!

We will be taking collections and holding a raffle during the evening in support of "The Hope Fund - Coventry" which provides food and neccessities to Coventry's gowing number of destitute asylum seekers.

We look forward to seeing you for free refreshments at 6.30pm and the performance at 7pm on Friday 10th December

Refugee Centre CEO on Local Radio

On Tuesday 12th October Bhopinder Basi was interviewed on local radio station Mercian FM. He was discussing the reaction and fallout from news over the weekend that Birmingham and Wolverhampton councils have voted to withdraw from the regional consortium that contracts with UKBA to provide NASS emergency accomodation to asylum seekers who they have dispersed to our region.

Bhopinder said: "National government may say they can't send asylum seekers to Birmingham anymore, so they will disperse to other areas like Coventry." "However, I'm quite moved by the fact our City Council has recalled the legacy of this city as one of peace and reconciliation."

The remaining consortium councils of Coventry and Dudley which provide 74 and 73 homes respectively have both said they will continue working with the UK Border Agency and it is believed that Stoke-on-Trent could replace Birmingham but providing a lower number of houses.