Seeking sanctuary can be tough. To support others going through the asylum process, we have collaborated with the Mental Health Foundation in Wales to compile and co-produce the following resources.
Special thanks to these experts by experience based in Wales Abbas, Fru, Arch, Tolulope, Patty, Funmi, Trevor, Bukky, Kowther and George.
Remember to reach out directly to organisations or visit their websites. You can try charities and nonprofit organisations, local community centres, hospitals, schools, colleges, libraries, museums or the National Trust
- Volunteering Wales. The Volunteering Wales website is a great resource for finding volunteer opportunities across the country. You can search for opportunities based on your location, interests, and availability.
- National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
- Wales Council for Voluntary Action
- Careers Wales
Wales offers a variety of outdoor activities and attractions that people can enjoy for free. You can reach some places by public transport or bike. Check National Parks, coastal and countryside walks, beaches, castles and ruins, waterfalls, bird watching, city parks, festivals, cultural events. Read from Mental Health Foundation how connecting with nature benefits our mental health.
- Visit Wales has lots of ideas for free days out.
- Free museums and attractions in Wales
- St Fagans National Museum of History
- National Museum Cardiff
- Cycle trails in Wales
- Coastal walks
The Mental Health Foundation suggests if you are concerned that you are developing a mental health problem you should seek the advice and support of your GP as a matter of priority. If you are thinking about ending your life, please call 999 (UK) or go to A&E and ask for the contact of the nearest crisis resolution team. These are teams of mental health care professionals who work with people in severe distress.
- Boloh Helpline – 08001512605 They offer advice, mental health and practical support to adult asylum seekers across the UK.
- Barnardo’s Helplines
- Learning on YouTube
- BBC Learning. The BBC offers a variety of free educational resources and courses. BBC Bitesize, for example, provides learning materials for various subjects and levels.
BBC Learning English - OpenLearn from the Open University. OpenLearn offers free online courses on a wide range of subjects. You can explore courses at various levels, from introductory to advanced.
- Future Learn. FutureLearn provides access to free online courses from universities and institutions around the world. While some courses are free, there may be charges for certificates or additional features.
- Coursera. Start, switch, or advance your career with more than 6,900 courses, Professional Certificates, and degrees from world-class universities and companies. While some courses on these platforms may require payment for certification, many offer free access to course materials.
- Learn Welsh. The National Centre for Learning Welsh offers free Welsh language courses for adults. They have resources for beginners as well as those looking to improve their existing language skills.
- edX. edX offers free online courses. Explore a vast range of subjects, from arts to sciences and more.
- Khan Academy. Learn for free about math, art, computer programming, economics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, finance, history, and more.
- Local Adult Education Centres. Check with local adult education centres, community colleges, or libraries for information on free courses or workshops that may be available in your area.
- Libraries in Wales
- Colleges in Wales
- Displaced Students Opportunities UK
- NHS, Counselling
- Mental Health Foundation, Educational films for mental wellbeing
- The Red Cross, Understanding and dealing with stress
- Freedom from Torture, therapy and counselling
Wales offers a variety of free sports activities. Here are some ideas to check for free sports activities in Wales:
Park runs
Outdoor gyms
Local running clubs
Hiking and walking
Cycling
Community sport events
Community – led sport classes
Free half-term activities
Click here to find more short, captivating films in a variety of languages that can be used in refugee communities to support mental health.
For even more resources, guides, videos and more, click here.