About

On June 7th I retire after 46 years at Leeds City Council, 42 of those in Adult Social Care, including several years working jointly for the NHS in Leeds.. I want my retirement not just to be about my career, but a celebration of public service. Rather than a retirement gift, I would prefer if people can make a donation to PAFRAS. https://www.pafras.org.uk/ PAFRAS - Positive Action For Refugees and Asylum Seekers - is a small grassroots charity based in Leeds and has been working in the community since 2002. PAFRAS supports asylum seekers who are destitute or at risk of destitution through crisis intervention (e.g. food parcels & emergency accommodation); OISC regulated immigration advice; casework; advocacy and integrated mental health support. PAFRAS also have a dedicated service called Young Migrants Matter offering intensive support for young unaccompanied asylum seekers aged 16-24 years old. Enforced asylum destitution is a devastating example of the hostile environment at play. When asylum seekers are refused and no longer have any rights to appeal, they lose their housing, financial support and are not allowed to work, forcing them into destitution. Many people have experienced multiple and complex trauma; their ongoing experience of destitution re-traumatizes and compounds the trauma. PAFRAS has rapidly changed the way they operate in response to Covid-19, in order to meet the needs of the most marginalized and isolated people in Leeds. They are distributing food, toiletries, mobile phone top-up, radios and other useful items as well as continuing to offer telephone case work and mental health support. I hope you can support this and I thank you in advance for your donation Best wishes and take Care Mick Ward

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