At Birmingham LGBT, we welcome, embrace and support LGBTQ+ people from all backgrounds to thrive in Birmingham. All services at Birmingham LGBT are open to people seeking asylum however we do not have anyone who is trained to give advice about asylum claims, which has to be provided by a regulated provider. You can find a list here to organisations who have the appropriate knowledge and qualifications to support you.
We do not offer or provide membership to use our services – all of our services are free for anyone to use.
The services we offer include:
- Assisted sexual health testing
- Rapid HIV testing
- Wellbeing support
- Over 50s wellbeing support
- Trans wellbeing support
- Counselling (subject to waitlist)
- Domestic violence support
- Substance support
- Community peer support groups
Organisations and resources that can help you
Local Support Services
Hub to access support to better connect asylum, refugee and migrant services across Birmingham and the West Midlands. Available in multiple languages. Downloadable on the Google and Apple app store.
Lifeline Options gives a holistic one-to-one service to meet the immigration, welfare and professional needs of asylum seekers and refugees in the West Midlands. Can obtain free advice from solicitors, support appealing Home Office refusal and support with welfare throughout the asylum process.
Contact: 0121 359 5435 or lifelineoptions@yahoo.co.uk
Client Access to Rights and Essentials – for those seeking asylum in Birmingham, Coventry and Stoke-on-Trent whose applications for asylum have been rejected by, and need support from, the Home Office. Offers support to help understand their rights, obtain the support they are entitled to or appeal against a refusal.
Contact: Phone or WhatsApp 07929769363/ 07595189995 or email CARE@refugee-action.org.uk
Providing free comprehensive immigration support to migrants (including undocumented migrants), refugees, and asylum-seekers to enable them to navigate the UK’s immigration legal system.
Offering in person drop-in appointments in Birmingham on Mondays, Tuesdays Thursdays and Fridays between 9am – 1pm.
Offers a holistic package of support to asylum-seekers based in Sandwell and West Birmingham, including food, clothing, support navigating the asylum system, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), housing, digital skills support and community inclusion.
Contact: info@brushstrokessandwell.org.uk or 0121 565 2234
LGBTQ+ SPECIFIC SUPPORT SERVICES
Peer support group offering befriending, 1-2-1 peer support, monthly meetings and activities for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, based in Birmingham. Currently accepting 10 new members per month – if you are interested in joining, please email and ensure you include your name, phone number, post code and some information about your situation.
Contact: hello@journeylgbtasylumgroup.co.uk
LGBT+ specific advice and support for asylum-seekers – available in a few different languages. Offers guidance surrounding the asylum process, how to prepare for Home Office interviews, how to gather evidence as well as advice and support for if an asylum application is refused by the Home Office and how to appeal.
Contact: hello@rainbowmigration.org.uk or 0203 752 5801
Housing support, moving on and social inclusion for LGBT+ asylum-seekers. There is a safe house based in Birmingham.
Contact: 0800 358 5851 Support line is open for first-time callers 2:00pm – 5:00pm, Monday – Friday.
If you need an interpreter, please email social@microrainbow.org
Supporting and empowering LGBT+ asylum-seekers in the Coventry area. Peer support group aiming to reduce feelings of social isolation, support to improve mental, physical and social wellbeing, connect with other groups and support group members to engage with appropriate professional help where necessary.
Contact:
Jon: 07974 477206 / Seyedeh: 07934 049734 or email outincov@gmail.com
An “expert by experience” charity campaigning for the human rights of LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum-seekers of African heritage. Provides peer support, advocacy, advice, information and counselling for LGBTQ+ asylum-seekers. The organisation is based in Manchester, but has meetings in Birmingham at The Warehouse Café B5 5TH. Please email or phone call for further details.
Contact: 0333 335 6326 – 9.30am to 5:00pm UK time or email info@africanrainbowfamily.org
NATIONWIDE SUPPORT SERVICES
A thorough guide to the UK immigration and asylum system. Can be translated into multiple languages.
Support for asylum seekers to apply for accommodation and financial support, as well as reporting issues with asylum accommodation, and any other advice needed during the asylum journey. Can also offer post-decision support – whether the decision has been positive or negative. Translated guides available.
Helpline – open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 0808 8010 503
Offering advice, information and signposting to appropriate and relevant services. Has knowledge about rights and entitlements, and can support if there are issues with Home Office accommodation and financial support as well as who to turn to if you are not safe. Will also support post-decision from Home Office.
Contact: Mondays and Thursdays, 9:30am – 12:30pm – 0808 196 7272. Interpreters available.
Free and confidential support for excluded people such as asylum-seekers and undocumented migrants via mobile clinics, advice line and outreach work. Help offered includes support registering with a GP, filling out HC1 forms to aid with cost of prescriptions, dental care and glasses for those who are not working, understanding rights to medical primary, hospital and community healthcare in the UK, and what happens when you are refused treatment or get a bill for hospital or community care.
Contact: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10am – 12pm – 0808 1647 686 – INTERPRETERS AVAILABLE.
There may be a delay and lines may be busy, alternatively you can email clinic@doctorsoftheworld.org.uk (NOTE: NOT AN EMERGENCY SERVICE)
Interactive guide offering support through the UK immigration journey – written by migrants for migrants. Offered in a few different languages. Other immigration support services offered by Praxis are restricted to LONDON only.
Citizens Advice have branches all over the country. They can be contacted for support with asylum issues, right to work, benefits and replacement immigration documents. There are resources on their website that may be helpful.
Contact: Advice Line, to connect to your local Citizens Advice service 0800 144 8848 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday