LOSRAS welcomes refugees
What is LOSRAS?
LEWES ORGANISATION IN SUPPORT OF REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS
LOSRAS is a local charity based in Lewes, East Sussex, founded in 2002, and run entirely by volunteers. LOSRAS is committed to supporting the cause of people seeking sanctuary through raising awareness, campaigning and responding to local need.
SUPPOrting the welfare of
refugees & people seeking asylum in the Lewes District and beyond
We opposed the previous government’s hostile environment policy and its fundamentally racist and unjust attitude towards vulnerable people and we will campaign to do all we can to promote racial justice and to counter racism in all its forms. Learning from people with lived experience of surviving our asylum system is a key principle underpinning our work.
Supporting host families and Ukrainian guests
LOSRAS helps provide support and guidance to the large number of host families and guests in the Lewes district under the government Homes for Ukraine (HfU) scheme. This builds on the experience we have as an organisation supporting the Syrian families who arrived in the Lewes district under the Syrian Resettlement Programme.
We can organise practical support through other organisations e.g., for food banks and school uniform. We also provide a range of advice and support for hosts, and potential hosts, and their guests. Other local groups with whom we work are Seaford for Ukraine and Lewes for Ukraine.
LOSRAS can also support Ukrainians who are part of the Family Reunion Scheme.
There is a desperate need for hosts for Ukrainian guests; if you are interested in hosting a guest or guests, please contact:
Ariane.Plumley@3va.org.uk
Support for young people
Sussex Community Development Association (SCDA) funded by ESCC are offering a social prescribing approach to provide Ukrainian children and young people aged 5-16, living in East Sussex, access to funded positive activities of their choosing. The activities aim to help young people make personal progress, to improve emotional wellbeing, confidence and friendships. Referrals can be made by parents, teachers or support practitioners.
For more information please use this link:
One-to-one tuition and English language classes
LOSRAS runs classes and provides one-to-one tuition and works closely with the local college to provide English tuition. If you are in need of this support, do let us know using the Contact Us form.
STEP Ukraine
STEP Ukraine is a free, 12-week intensive, virtual programme run in partnership with the British Council and funded by the UK Government. It offers English language and Employment Support to Ukrainians in the UK:
- An intensive 10 weeks of 2.5 hour daily English classes by the British Council, with options to take the lessons morning, afternoon or evening.
- 12 weeks of weekly employment support with a dedicated employment advisor, to support with: CV writing, job applications, interview prep, support with job search, and specialist workshops
- All classes are remote, and teacher led. They are streamed so all classmates are at a similar level.
New start dates are September and November 2024. For further information in English or Ukrainian, please use this link where you can apply, by completing the STEP Ukraine referral form.
Moving Sounds
Moving Sounds is a Community Interest Company established in 2006 and based in East Sussex. It runs arts-based creative workshops that bring multiple health and well-being benefits and are keen to work with local communities. They bring music to you!
Please see their invitation to our local Ukrainian communities:
For more information, please see their website.
LOSRAS: OUR AIMS
Raising awareness / Campaigning / Providing local support
RAISING AWARENESS
We raise awareness of issues relating to asylum seekers and refugees by holding open meetings, a regular newsletter, street stalls and work in schools.
CAMPAIGNING
As well as supporting national campaigns we also lobby our MP, organise local events and demonstrations and actively join with other like-minded, local campaign groups.
LOCAL Support
LOSRAS has a committed group of volunteers who visit refugee families and individuals, providing language and other support. We also co-ordinate a group of prison-visitors.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Key dates for your diary
HOW CAN I HELP?
Become a member
LOSRAS is a membership organisation. We welcome new members who share our aims.
Volunteer
We rely on a body of volunteers who fulfil specific roles in the organisation.
Donate
All money donated goes directly to fund the work of the charity. We are all volunteers and have no paid staff.
LOSRAS
Resources:
LOSRAS
NEWSLETTER
We produce a regular newsletter with updates on issues and events both local and national.
Read our recent newsletters below:
Annual report
The LOSRAS Annual Report for 2021-2022 is available.
Open
meetings
Regular open meetings are held with invited speakers.
See upcoming events for details.
