How to get help from JRS-UK

Accessing the Day Centre
The Day Centre is a service for destitute asylum seekers who are not eligible for and do not receive asylum support, Section 4 support or assistance from social services. We welcome all nationalities and to those of any faith and those who have no faith; there is no proselytising.

The day centre operates an appointment and registration system for new visitors. Please phone the office on 020 7488 7310 to book an appointment in advance. Appointments can be booked Monday to Friday during office hours. You will be asked to bring your papers about your asylum application and decisions to the appointment. Booking an appointment is best as it avoids unnecessary travel. We can also book appointments at the day centre but it is very likely that we will not able to register on the same day and will have to book an appointment for a later date. We do not give travel fares for un-booked visits. Asylum seekers who have already been assessed and registered at the day centre are not required to make an appointment for subsequent visits.

Accessing the Detention Outreach Services
We can meet with detainees at Colnbrook and Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centres near Heathrow. You can request a visitor who will come on a regular basis or a pen-befriender who will write letters to you. You can ask to see a member of the Detention Outreach staff on Wednesday afternoons at IRC Colnbrook for additional support and guidance to additional services.

Otherwise, you can phone the office on 020 7488 7310 (or someone can call on your behalf) to talk to a member of staff on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please be ready to give us your full name, the name of the detention centre in which you are held, your mobile phone number (if available) and your reference/case number. If you are leaving or have left detention, we may also be able to be of assistance.

If you are not phoning from Colnbrook or Harmondsworth, you are welcome to contact us and we will refer you to the appropriate visitors group linked to another IRC.