We provide independent immigration advice regulated by OISC and approved to Level 2
We are a community-based charity that supports destitute asylum seekers in the Leeds area
Who we support
Asylum seekers who are destitute or at risk of destitution who have no access to housing or benefits and are not allowed to work.
What we offer
Emergency crisis intervention (food parcels, vouchers and emergency accommodation), independent OISC-regulated immigration advice, casework and integrated mental health support.
We promise:
- Confidentiality
- Professional advice
- A warm welcome
- Access to other services
Our Aim
PAFRAS aims to end destitution, increase access to social justice and advocate for the rights of refugees and people seeking asylum in Leeds.
We resist the hostile environment and strive for systemic change. We ensure that the voices of the people we support are heard and are at the heart of all we do.
Our Values
We provide a welcoming environment where refugees and people seeking asylum are treated with dignity, respect and empathy.
We work in a collaborative and empowering way, respecting refugees’ and asylum seekers’ knowledge and skills, resilience, and right to make decisions about their own lives.
We work in partnership with others to uphold and promote the rights and voices of refugees and people seeking asylum.
We are bold and tenacious in our pursuit of social justice and systemic change.
Our supporters and partners
We depend on local community groups and generous individuals to provide money, food, volunteer services and other resources. We couldn’t do it without you.
We also on rely on grants from non-government organisations, and we work closely with partners with whom we share a common humanitarian go
Our Team
Most of the PAFRAS team are volunteers. We also rely on a small team of paid staff to keep the charity going.
Many of us have first-hand experience of being refugees, and we all have access to professional training for our roles.
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Alex Candido - Young Persons Development Worker
Ally – Young Persons Development Worker
Chris Webster – Drop-in and Volunteer Coordinator
Evie Russel-Cohen – Destitution Caseworker
Grace Lane – Destitution Caseworker
Hezel Ndlovu – Refugee Family Reunion Worker
John Williamson – Young Persons Development Worker (Maternity cover)
Karen Pearse – Director
Karim Aref – Advice Volunteer Coordinator
Laurie Ray – Senior Caseworker
Sanjeev Dayal – Senior Mental Health Assessment Worker
Sharon Browne – Mental Health Support Worker
Snezhana Martynova – Finance and Monitoring Manager
Yasmin Hussain – Sanctuary Domestic Violence and Abuse Support Worker
Trustees
Dinah Beckett
Ella Keevash - Chair
Fahad Khan
James Judkins – Treasurer
Joudi Ataleb
Katie Russell
Mick Ward
Sipillien Birani
Current Job Vacancies
Mindful Employer
PAFRAS is a Mindful Employer that aspires to support the mental wellbeing of all our staff.
PAFRAS is registered with The Charity Commission for England and Wales
You can view all our annual reports and accounts on the Charity Commission online database.