WERS West End Refugee Service

05/08/2026

People seeking asylum are generally not allowed to work, even though many are desperate to contribute, so we help them build the skills and confidence they need to be ready when they receive refugee status and can enter employment.

Newcastle Building Society gave each participant a one-to-one mock interview, followed by personalised feedback. Everyone did brilliantly! 👏

A huge thank you to Caf Rail for organising this Employability session and to Northern Stage for hosting us (and for the delicious lunch!)

01/08/2026

Huge congratulations to our one and only Tarik, who has been named a finalist for the Rising Star Award at the North East Charity Awards 2026! 🌟

We are incredibly proud of Tarik and the difference he makes every day for refugees and people seeking sanctuary across Newcastle.

29/07/2026

WERS is proud to join more than 200 organisations supporting a practical new blueprint for an asylum system built on dignity, evidence and common sense.

Our Chief Executive, Andy Durma, said:
“The new Prime Minister has a unique opportunity to end counterproductive asylum policies that punish people for trying to rebuild their lives. It is in all our interests to build an inclusive, contributing society – not one where people’s belonging in the UK comes with an expiry date.”

Read more via the link in the comments.

28/07/2026

SAFETY IS A RIGHT. NOT A PRIVILEGE.

For 75 years, the Refugee Convention has protected people forced to flee persecution.

Its promise is clear: people must not be sent back to danger.

The Refugee Convention saves lives and it must be respected.

24/07/2026

We had a wonderful afternoon at Wild Roots Community Garden - St Ann's Close & Ouseburn Valley yesterday - gardening, painting and of course, enjoying plenty of snacks!

A huge thank you to the Wild Roots team for creating such a warm and welcoming space for our community.

We hope to visit again soon!

25/06/2026

A wonderful afternoon with our friends from HostNation enjoying delicious food from The Seven Bridges Cafe, great conversations and plenty of smiles. Thanks to Summerhill Trust!

23/06/2026

Last week’s Weekly Welcome was full of laughter, smiles, conversation - and tonnes of rice!

We shared a special three-course meal together and it was one of those afternoons that reminded us why these spaces matter.

A huge thank you to everyone who cooked, helped, joined in and made the day feel so warm.

Weekly Welcome at its best! 🧡

21/06/2026

Thank you Bishop Helen-Ann, for joining us at our Refugee Week community meal! 🧡

17/06/2026

We all come from somewhere.

Proud to be part of this thoughtful project with The Vindolanda Trust, connecting ancient stories of movement and belonging with people building new lives in the North East today.

Vindolanda Trust | New research project announced

What can Roman pottery reveal about migration, identity and belonging?

A new 12-month research project from the Vindolanda Trust is exploring North African-style pottery discovered along Hadrian's Wall, uncovering stories of movement, cultural exchange and connection across the Roman world.

Working in partnership with West End Refugee Service, people with lived experience of migration will help shape the research, bringing contemporary perspectives to ancient stories and culminating in a public exhibition and conference at the Roman Army Museum.

Read more ⬇️

https://romanarmymuseum.com/about/pottery-research/

15/06/2026

This Refugee Week we celebrate courage.

We see that courage every day in the people we work alongside - in those rebuilding their lives, supporting their families, learning a new language and becoming part of our communities.

At WERS, we are proud to stand alongside refugees and people seeking asylum across the North East. We are also grateful to everyone who stands with us.