About Resettlement CIC

Who are we?

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Resettlement is a Reading-based Community Interest Company founded in 2021 with the intention of supporting those living in our community who are displaced. We will try to support in any way with general (non-legal) advice and signposting, but we focus largely on housing; those ineligible for emergency accommodation and are therefore likely to face street homelessness.

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We formed during the midst of former Home Secretary, Priti Patel’s, New Plan for Immigration Policy Statement in March of that year and the subsequent surge of dangerous Channel Crossings. The continued politicising of displaced people has highlighted the need to support and welcome some of the most vulnerable members of our local communities. ​

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How do we support?

As a small team with a lot of collective knowledge, we try our best to use that to help with any general questions can come through the door (figuratively - we do not have a fixed office!). We support both organisations who work in this sector, and individuals directly. We support with refugee drop ins and occasionally have run our own where we see a need (hosted at partner organisations). 

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Recently, we have signed the lease agreement with National City of Sanctuary – this means we are responsible for ensuring the Reading is an active City of Sanctuary and all Sanctuary organisations receive sufficient support. We try and ensure all active organisations in the area are kept informed regularly of national news and general information in the sector, and have committed to actively encouraging and supporting the community of Reading to be more Sanctuary-friendly. We can provide support in terms of training to organisations that are not specifically refugee-focused, but who would like to understand the sector more. 

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We also run a volunteer mentorship programme, helping pair refugees and asylum seekers with member of the community who know the area well and can advocate for them. We always accept applications for new volunteers and refugees/asylum seekers.

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For our main focus – Housing - there are three housing ‘programmes’ we run and support.

 

1. ​Emergency respite: Usually for those who are street sleep/in tents and are particularly vulnerable (perhaps a victim of recent violence, or unwell) who need 1-2 nights respite. This is very short-term, and should only be used in an emergency – it can be very difficult for people to have a few nights in respite and then go straight back to rough sleeping. We only accept referrals from established staff/volunteers from organisations and churches known to us. We cannot accept self-referrals. You can read more and submit a referral on behalf of someone by clicking here. 

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2. Winter night shelter: For the coldest months of the year, January – March, we support Faith Christian Group with the refugee winter night shelter (B4N). We are always looking for volunteers to help this, as it is a service that is open every day of the week. We do not take referrals for this service, and anybody that you believe is in need of a bed should contact the Asylum Housing Team at RBC. 

 

3. Phoenix Supported Accommodation: This is designed for individuals leaving Home Office accommodation, who are keen and capable of becoming employed, but are at high risk of falling into a homeless cycle. We place them on a programme that is typically 6-months long that is designed to provide them with intensive, holistic support that will get them into meaningful employment and long-term private housing. We offer rooms in HMOs while they are in the programme to help them focus on their move-on goals, which can be paid for at the LHA rate. Rooms become available throughout the year, and we accept self-referrals. More detailed information and downloadable referral forms can be found here. All forms should be sent to housing@resettlement.org.uk 

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