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

Refugee Week – Monday

June 15, 2015

Today is one of those Mondays when many of our clients are expected to sign on at the Police Station.
It’s not the Police who expect your signature, it’s UKVI in the form of Immigration Officers.
This always carries an element of fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of the authority figures that the building and officers represent and fear of the van…..

“Will the van be there today? If it is, who are they expecting to collect? Will it be me? Will I be detained? Am I at risk of return to my home country?”

The fear is palpable. It infects our offices. Someone told me today that the torture didn’t end in his home country, it carries on through the systems imposed on him through the Home Office.

Another reality in the life of an asylum seeker…