Strategy
2025 - 2030
Building our future together:
nothing about refugees, without refugees.
context.
Refugees in the North East continue to face significant challenges and uncertainties. In recent years, new legislation has undermined both legal and moral principles, making the asylum process increasingly prolonged and complicated. The urgent need for safe routes remains unaddressed, forcing people to undertake dangerous journeys, which have resulted in many tragic deaths.As a community, we are still feeling the impact of the aftermath of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, both of which have had profound social and economic repercussions. Institutional racism and offensive rhetoric stirred up by some politicians and the media have peaked, making the issue of migration top agenda item, not only in the UK but worldwide.The riots from the summer of 2024 revealed painful truths about the divisions in our society. They showed us how quickly fear and misinformation can escalate into violence, revealing how easily racism and Islamophobia can be triggered, leaving communities vulnerable and unsafe. It was a powerful reminder that the rhetoric surrounding migration is not just political - it has real and immediate consequences for people's lives, creating an even more hostile environment for those seeking safety and refuge. Yet, in the face of adversity, we have seen our community stand together - demonstrating the strength and resilience of civil society in confronting these challenges and promoting unity.Midway through this decade, we are witnessing escalating brutality and global conflicts, forcing more people to flee their homes than at any other time since World War II. At the same time, the reality of the climate emergency is indisputable, with its consequences inevitably leading to an increase in forcibly displaced communities in the coming years.Reflecting on all this, we initiated a consultation process on our new strategy in the autumn of 2023. Our goal was to understand the current challenges better and to redefine the role of WERS in the support system across the North East in preparation for the future.This exercise has been driven and informed by our Advisory Panel, which includes individuals from around the world with first-hand experience of the asylum system in the UK. Their lived experiences have been central to shaping our strategy, reflecting our commitment to shifting power to those who understand these challenges best.Over 60 individuals attended our Consultation Event in December 2023, which was followed by a launch of online consultations. We want to thank everyone - our clients, volunteers, funders, donors, local authorities and community partners - who contributed their time, helping us along the way and reinforcing the collective power we need to succeed.We believe that our strategy is both bold and ambitious. It has to be, as the times ahead require us to explore innovative ways of delivering services and adapting to the evolving environment.Since WERS was formed in 1999, we have been proud to welcome refugees and help them rebuild their lives in the North East. Twenty-five years on, this strategy outlines our unwavering commitment to continue this work, driven by solidarity, collaboration and the shared mission of transformational change.
the language we use.
We are keen to ensure this document is accessible to all members of our community. Therefore, we have decided to use the following terms for better understanding of what we are trying to do:
Refugees: includes individuals seeking sanctuary (
asylum seekers), regardless of their country of origin, method of arrival, or the status of their asylum claim.Clients: all people accessing and participating in WERS' services and activities.
Stakeholders: our partners, volunteers, donors, supporters, Advisory Panel members, staff and Trustees.
our values.
Equity
Fairness is central to what we do. We challenge injustice.
Changemaking
We take action to enable positive change by advocating, empowering, leading through good practice and influencing.
Compassion
We maintain an ethos of care and kindness, giving a big welcome to all we work with.
Creativity & Innovation
We will think in new ways and provide fresh perspectives to solve clients problems.
Integrity
We will be honest, have strong moral principles, and actively do the right thing.
Inclusion
We value and respect all experiences, perspectives and contributions. We celebrate diversity. Lived experience shapes what we do.
our vision
The North East is a region where refugees' rights are respected
and Geordies welcome them with open hearts and minds,
providing access to work and opportunities
that empower them to flourish and contribute to their communities.
our mission
In solidarity with refugees, we provide a safe space for accessing support and avenues for growth and development,
free from prejudice, enabling two-way integration.
our three strategic aims:
1) Information, advice, advocacy and support
The challengeThe journey of refugee does not stop at the moment of arrival in the UK. They face numerous obstacles, including loneliness, racism, trauma, uncertainty, isolation and digital exclusion. Refugees require reliable information, compassionate advocacy and consistent support to navigate the complex asylum system.We want to provide a safe space for individuals to receive advice, material and practical support throughout their pre and post asylum claim process ensuring they feel welcome, treated with dignity and empowered as equal members of our diverse community.
Our goalBy 2030, we will review and implement further support services, utilising technology with a focus on accessibility to ensure inclusivity for all.
We will do this by• Continuously improving our services, informed by the diverse experiences and resilience of our Advisory Panel, Leadership Team and Board of Trustees.• Delivering services in a trauma-informed way through trained and empathetic team members and volunteers.• Strengthening the local support network by fostering collaboration with external stakeholders.• Developing further qualitative and quantitative evaluation processes to measure our impact effectively.• Tracking the number of joint initiatives, programmes and events conducted with external stakeholders to enhance two-way integration and support.• Maintaining a Hardship Fund to support those with no recourse to public funds by engaging more supporters to ensure the sustainability of the fund.
| Short-Term Outcomes (1-2 years) | Medium and Long-Term Outcomes (3-5 years) |
|---|---|
| (Refugees will) - feel understood and supported through trauma-informed practice - access support and digital platforms easily, obtaining necessary information and support - experience improvement in services thanks to real-time feedback - receive financial assistance if they experience destitution | (Refugees will) - build resilience and feel empowered to advocate for themselves and others - consistently access support and benefit from advanced digital tools - access services that are directly designed by them, ensuring their needs and preferences are fully integrated - rely on a stable Hardship Fund for emergency support |
2) Development & Progression
The challengeWithout targeted support, many refugees risk underemployment and social isolation. By providing a diverse range of programmes, including volunteering placements and employability schemes tailored to their needs and personal ambitions, we aim to minimise these risks and help refugees achieve their full potential and work readiness.We believe that focusing on the holistic development of refugees, including their mental and physical well-being, is crucial. Our aim is to engage clients in one-on-one interactions, sports, cultural activities to create a sense of belonging and community, which is an essential element of two-way integration.
Our goalBy 2030, WERS will offer a comprehensive variety of personal development opportunities that empower refugees to achieve their personal and professional aspirations, necessary to rebuild their lives in the North East.
We will do this by• Developing employability schemes tailored to clients' needs and personal ambitions to minimise the risk of underemployment and prepare them for successful entry into the workforce.• Working with a range of corporate partners to develop programmes that provide clients with real-world experience and networking opportunities.• Providing volunteering placements to help clients develop social skills and gain valuable experience, enhancing their wellbeing and confidence.• Focusing on improving language skills, mental and physical wellbeing through 1-2-1 interactions, sport and cultural activities.• Developing new and strengthening existing partnerships to enhance the offering and reach more clients.• Celebrating the successes and monitoring the future journey of clients who secure employment following their participation in our programmes.
| Short-Term Outcomes (1-2 years) | Medium and Long-Term Outcomes (3-5 years) |
|---|---|
| (Refugees will) - gain skills and confidence through 6-8 new employability programmes - build an understanding of a UK workplace, raise their aspirations, and remove self-imposed barriers - enhance their social and language skills as well as gain experience through volunteer placements - feel a sense of belonging through 1-2-1 interactions and being part of our community activities and connections programme | (Refugees will) - secure employment aligned with their skills and ambitions, leading to financial independence - benefit from long-term support and job opportunities through sustained partnerships - continue to grow and contribute through a robust volunteer programme - engage in sustainable community activities, allowing two-way integration |
3) Influence through collaboration
The challengeWe want to transform the legendary Geordie welcome into something more profound - an approach that empowers refugees and marginalised communities to take an active role in shaping their futures.Challenging injustice is in our DNA - whether it’s through direct interactions with clients, creating volunteering opportunities, or campaigning - our work empowers people to contribute to our shared mission: we strive to create an environment where every voice counts, leaving no room for racism and xenophobia.We recognise the value of joint impact; therefore, we are keen to maintain and build new relationships to achieve meaningful and lasting change.
Our goalBy 2030, we will work with local networks to aspire for the North East to become a Region of Sanctuary, where local communities are educated about the challenges refugees face and resiliently celebrate diversity, embracing all who call it home.
We will do this by• Delivering tailored training and awareness-raising sessions to external stakeholders and corporate partners.• Investing in people and becoming the preferred destination for volunteering opportunities related to our cause.• Building inclusive collaborations with organisations that support diverse and marginalised communities.• Expanding our Advisory Panel by including more experts by experience, ensuring that their voices are at the forefront of our initiatives and decision-making processes.• Growing the membership of WERS, creating a live network of supporters who are dedicated to our mission.• Engaging in positive campaigning for change through meaningful partnerships to influence public perception and policy in favor of marginalised communities.• Developing innovative ways to showcase the stories of refugees, highlighting their resilience and contributions.• Engaging in research initiatives to provide evidence-based insights into the challenges faced by our clients.
| Short-Term Outcomes (1-2 years) | Medium and Long-Term Outcomes (3-5 years) |
|---|---|
| (Refugees will) - feel welcomed and supported by an informed community - see increased involvement from volunteers - benefit from strategic partnerships that enhance their support network - influence policy changes via Campaigns Group - shape the regional strategy through an expanded Advisory Panel | (Refugees will) - live in a Region of Sanctuary, that actively supports and celebrates diversity - enjoy sustained support from a thriving volunteer network - access enhanced services through strong, lasting partnerships - experience improved policies and public perceptions - be at the heart of the decision-making process regionally |
Arrangements to enable and support the strategy
After over a quarter of a century of service, and with ambitious plans for the future, it is essential that we establish the key enablers to effectively deliver on our strategy.Governance:
We are committed to the principle of being led by individuals with lived experience of seeking sanctuary in the UK and will seek to further diversify our Board and Leadership team.Volunteers:
We will invest in the delivery of a meaningful experience for joint impact and personal development.Our Team:
Recognising the pressures of being on the front line of our work, we will ensure that our staff and volunteers are supported in their well-being, enabling them to embody our values and achieve our objectives.Finance:
Our aim is financial sustainability achieved through diversifying streams of unrestricted income, providing us with the flexibility required for organisational growth.Technology:
We aspire to fully transform the charity to meet the needs of clients and stakeholders by leveraging cutting-edge technology and enabling more time for personal interactions.Evaluation:
We will develop additional tools to gather real-time data on our performance, and a variety of tools to collect stories from the people we work with, enabling further awareness raising of our work.Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI):
We will work towards an agreed EDI and anti-racism Action Plan and embed these principles in all aspects of our work, behaviors and governance.Development:
We will invest in our team members so that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the needs of clients, while also prioritising the retention of employees to ensure continuity and expertise within the charity.
support us in our journey
www.wers.org.uk
