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30-544: The Scottish Refugee Council is a registered charity that provides advice and services to asylum seekers and refugees . The objective of the organisation is ‘building a better future with refugees in Scotland’. The charity was formed in Edinburgh in 1985 but moved to Glasgow in 1999 as the city became one of the main dispersal areas for refugees. Its remit has expanded over time in response to growing demand for its services and

60-561: A charity. The Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 28 June 2023, and became an Act on 9 August 2023. This Act makes changes to the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005. It will: The measures in this Act are planned to be introduced on a phased basis, with the first changes taking effect on 1 April 2024. Further changes will be introduced on 1 October 2024, and

90-574: A new Own Language Telephone Advice Service (OLTAS) providing free multilingual advice for asylum seekers and refugees. In 2005, Refugee Council launched a campaign called Don't Believe the Type aimed at combating what they see as hostility and prejudice towards asylum seekers and refugees. In 2008 Refugee Council formed the Still Human Still Here coalition with Amnesty International UK , Medical Foundation and over 40 other organisations, which

120-440: A number of direct services to refugees and asylum seekers. It helps refugees deal with issues of integration, housing and finances through its Refugee Integration Service. It also assists families with children aged 0–8 years who have recently entered the asylum system through its Family Keywork Service. Scottish Refugee Council is also actively involved in campaigning and influencing public policy. In conjunction with bodies such as

150-666: A patron of the Scottish Refugee Council. He said: "I am delighted to be associated with the Scottish Refugee Council's aims of protection and resettlement of refugees in Scotland and I wish you every success in achieving these aims." Scottish Refugee Council States its vision as: "a Scotland in which all people seeking refugee protection are welcome. It is a place where women, children and men are protected, find safety and support, have their human rights and dignity respected and are able to achieve their full potential." Its mission

180-560: A regulatory framework for Scottish charities, where each charity is clear about its rights and responsibilities. This framework should also foster public confidence in charities. OSCR is directly answerable to the Scottish Parliament . OSCR is based in Dundee . In 1981 the Law Society of Scotland announced support for a register through which all charities in Scotland could record their purposes, financial details, and accounts. Under section 6 of

210-474: A survey showing some positive attitudes towards the organization from the charity sector and the public. OSCR performs a range of functions which includes: OSCR also has a role to protect whistleblowers from detrimental treatment. Under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 , OSCR is a "prescribed person" and therefore allowed to accept disclosures from people who carry out paid work for

240-646: Is a member organisation of the Asylum Support Partnership and European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE). Refugee Council has received an exemption from the OISC to provide immigration advice and holds the Quality Mark for advice work. Regional offices throughout England provide services to asylum seekers and refugees including: These services are available either in the Refugee Council offices or on

270-701: Is also important to Scottish Refugee Council. It works closely with other refugee agencies in the UK, including the Refugee Council , the Refugee Survival Trust , and Scottish Detainee Visitors . It also has international links with UNHCR and is part of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE). Scottish Refugee Council also plays a part in community development, supporting refugee community organisations in Scotland, helping refugees tell their stories to

300-573: Is now the leading charity for refugees in Scotland. In 2011 the organisation celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Refugee Convention . In recognition of the international convention that underpins the Scottish Refugee Council's work, the charity produced a short film, Courage: 60 years of the UN Refugee Convention . Scottish Refugee Council was established in 1985 in response to a growing need for assistance for refugees in Scotland. It

330-568: Is the Scottish version of an annual UK wide programme of events for Refugee Week which celebrates the contribution of refugees to the UK. During Refugee Festival Scotland, hundreds of events exploring refugee experiences take place across Scotland. These range from small community and school activities to art exhibitions, political debates, film festivals, music festivals and sports events. Refugee Festival Scotland took place in 2017 on Tuesday 20 June – Sunday 2 July. The work of Scottish Refugee Council

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360-715: Is to increase public understanding of refugees and campaign for an end to discrimination, racism and prejudice. Part of this involves supporting refugees’ integration and inclusion, ensuring refugee voices are heeded. It also lobbies for the rights of refugees and people seeking asylum and for changes in legislation and policies. It exists to ensure that refugees and people seeking asylum have access to quality advice services, information and support and to provide these services as an efficient organisation, ensuring quality and value for money. There are three main areas in which Scottish Refugee Council works to help refugees and people seeking asylum in Scotland. Scottish Refugee Council provides

390-764: The Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990 , the Lord Advocate was given the power to make inquiries either for general or specific purposes and to obtain various types of information from charities. Following the Scotland Act and the establishment of both the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government, this power was exercised by the Scottish Ministers. Initially, charity regulation

420-441: The Refugee Council , Scottish Refugee Council influences policy at Westminster and the Scottish Parliament . To inform its policy work the organisation regularly conducts research, co-ordinating both in-house projects and collaborating with leading researchers in the field of asylum. The charity also focuses on working with the media to broaden public understanding of the issues facing refugees. Networking and partnership-building

450-508: The 1990s the Scottish Refugee Council expanded because of international events and a need for more comprehensive refugee services. One major new development during this time was the 1993 establishment of a reception centre for Bosnians who faced persecution and ethnic cleansing in Serbian concentration camps. In 1999, in response to the escalating crisis in Kosovo, the Scottish Refugee Council worked with

480-676: The British Refugee Council which was later renamed the Refugee Council due to the establishment of various other regional refugee councils. The Refugee Council Archives are held at University of East London, Docklands Campus . The Refugee Council's head office is in Stratford London. The organisation's main activities are providing support and advice to asylum seekers and refugees themselves as well as to other organisations, undertaking research and policy work, and campaigning on behalf of refugees and asylum seekers. The Refugee Council

510-473: The Refugee Action, UNHCR and other partners to set up reception centres as part of a humanitarian evacuation programme. The Scottish Refugee Council was at the forefront in helping these refugees settle and integrate into Scottish society. In 2000 the focus changed from resettlement to helping people return safely or make claims for asylum. The Immigration and Asylum Act (1999) established Glasgow as one of

540-568: The Scottish Refugee Council helped to establish the Refugee Integration Forum to lead a community approach to improving the lives of refugees and asylum seekers. Sabir Zazai was appointed as Chief Executive of Scottish Refugee Council in September 2017. Sabir arrived in the UK as an asylum seeker in 1999 from Afghanistan. Sabir has a wealth of knowledge in refugee integration that is informed by his personal experiences of going through

570-634: The UK." Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator The Scottish Charity Regulator ( OSCR ; Scottish Gaelic : Oifis Riaghladair Carthannais na h-Alba ) is a non-ministerial department of the Scottish Government with responsibility for the regulation of charities in Scotland . OSCR is the independent regulator and registrar for more than 25,000 Scottish charities. OSCR is charged with developing

600-612: The asylum system and his research and campaigning background in this area. His policy and research work in refugee integration focuses on community cohesion management, integration and social relations. Dr Alison Phipps UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts at the University of Glasgow is an Ambassador for the Scottish Refugee Council. In 1995, on the 10th anniversary of its founding, Nelson Mandela became

630-604: The final measures will are planned to come into force in summer 2025. Refugee Council The Refugee Council originated from two independent organisations, British Council for Aid to Refugees (BCAR) and the Standing Conference on Refugees (SCOR), which were both founded in 1951 following the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees . In 1981 these two organisations merged to form

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660-478: The largest refugee dispersal centres in the UK. This led to a significant increase in the number of people seeking asylum in Scotland. Following this change, the Scottish Refugee Council faced a 20-fold increase in the size of its client base. At this time it was necessary for the organisation to relocate to Glasgow. When its Glasgow-based advice centre was opened in 1999 it delivered 250 advice sessions per week. By 2001 this had grown to 150 sessions per day. The centre

690-649: The media, and involving them in policy discussions with politicians and service providers. It is a member of the Asylum Support Partnership along with the Refugee Council England, the Welsh Refugee Council , Refugee Action , Northern Refugee Centre , and the North of England Refugee Service . One of the organisation's primary calendar events is Refugee Festival Scotland. The event, co-ordinated by Scottish Refugee Council and coincides with World Refugee Day,

720-407: The organisation and its services in order to secure the future of the charity. In its response to the funding reductions, John Wilkes, Chief Executive Officer of the Scottish Refugee Council issued a statement saying: "Savage cuts to the refugee charity sector will force people who have already fled torture, conflict and persecution in their own countries to suffer even further while seeking safety in

750-400: The phone. Drop in services provide hot meals, food parcels, clothes and English classes, as well as advice and support. In addition, the Refugee Council offers special advice to unaccompanied children, including children who are under 18 when they arrive in the UK and young people aged 18–21 who are caring for younger siblings. This specialist support includes In 2011 the charity launched

780-520: Was affected following funding cuts introduced by the UK Border Agency in 2011. Funding to the One Stop Service, which provides advice to asylum seekers and refugees, was cut by 62%, while the grant for the organisation's work in orientation and support services was cut by 50%. Overall Scottish Refugee Council entered 2011/12 financial year with 30% less funding. This led to a major restructure of

810-642: Was carried out by the Scottish Charities Office , a department in the Crown Office , but they were only able to investigate a charity on receipt of a complaint or when they had reasonable grounds to suspect problems. The regulatory function was transferred to OSCR in December 2003. It was formerly an executive agency but following the passing of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 it

840-531: Was located within the Cadogan Square complex in Glasgow city centre for 14 years. In December 2017, Scottish Refugee Council moved offices to 6th Floor, Portland House, 17 Renfield Street, G2 5AH. With the dispersal system came challenges to integration and racial tension. One tragic result of this was the fatal stabbing of Firsat Yildiz, a young Turkish Kurd who had recently been dispersed to Glasgow. Following this

870-518: Was made independent of ministerial control , and answers directly to the Scottish Parliament . It is the equivalent of the Charity Commission for England and Wales and the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland . In 2005, OSCR published the first definitive list of 18,000 charities operating in Scotland – this information was searchable. OSCR's full regulatory powers came into force on 24 April 2006. In July 2008, OSCR published results of

900-442: Was set up with the help of the British Refugee Council (now Refugee Council ) and London-based Refugee Action and was operated by a small team of staff and volunteers. The organisation was originally based in Edinburgh where demand was greatest. In its early stages it primarily worked with refugees from Chile and Vietnam, helping with asylum claims, understanding the welfare system and getting access to housing and education. During

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