Our Mission

At GARAS (Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers) we offer support to those seeking asylum in Gloucestershire, welcoming them when they arrive, advocating for them in their daily struggles, supporting them if they face being sent back as well as helping them adjust to their long term future if they are recognised as refugees.

Contact Information

Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (GARAS)
The Trust Centre
Falkner St
Gloucester
GL1 4SQ

Telephone: 01452 550528
General enquiries: info@garas.org.uk
Administrative enquiries: admin@garas.org.uk
www.garas.org.uk

Director
Adele Owen

Happy New Year

January 2, 2019

Here is to 2019 and whatever it may bring.

The year ended at this end with a client coming in having just received their status after 11 long years of waiting!

This year will have more situations like that, I am sure.

And this is the reality, the years of uncertainty, the fear of the past and an inability to plan for the future. This is in clear contrast to the images that started to raise their heads last week as it became apparent that a tiny number of people had managed to make their way across the Channel. The language being used and the views expressed were so shocking and so out of proportion to the reality, that it is important that we challenge such views as quickly as possible.

I suspect that as the year gets under way and other stories emerge this story will disappear and we will be caught up in the question of, “What happens on the 29th March?”.

We know, that for GARAS, this year will hold its own challenges and joys. We consider the future and our move, also in March, to new premises. More on that in the next few weeks.

And we will be celebrating 20 years of GARAS, there will be a number of really exciting events to mark this over the coming months so please look out for these and we will be keeping you informed.

Thank you for all your support as we move into these changing times.

Adele