An introduction to Refugee Action York

Registered Charity No. 1130980

PATRON: Baroness Afshar of Heslington

Refugee Action York (RAY) was founded in 2002 to raise awareness of the contribution refugees and asylum seekers make to our society and to challenge myths and misconceptions about refugees and asylum seekers. Since it was founded RAY has undertaken and continues with the following work:

  • A weekly Sunday drop-in [English] [Türkçe] for asylum seeker and migrant families at Bootham Junior School providing English and Turkish language classes.
  • Outreach with and for the Kurdish community in the City of York.
  • Campaigning on behalf of local asylum seeking families and their relatives who are under threat of detention and deportation
  • Organising the annual Refugee Week in York as part of the national and international awareness raising campaign on the plight of refugees and asylum seekers
  • Events during and outside refugee week have included an exhibition at the York Minster, disseminating a ‘myth busting’ leaflet in the centre of town, displays in the Friends Meeting House and film evenings at City Screen.
  • Education sessions in local schools as part of the PHSE curriculum, working primarily with years 9 and 10 students.

In April 2009 RAY appointed a part-time co-ordinator to manage the drop-in and to support the expanding group of active volunteers and in August 2009 RAY became a registered charity. RAY is dependent on voluntary donations for its work and a Gift Aid form can be found here.

If you would like to find out more about the work we do or make a donation please email info@refugeeactionyork