Practical Assistance - Help exchange refugees' vouchers for cash

A simple practical way to help asylum seekers for the cost of a stamp

• Posted on Mar 13, 2008

How would you cope if you had no cash? If you only had vouchers for one supermarket and no money to get the bus there? This is exactly the case for people refused asylum who are on "Section 4 Support" who get £35 in supermarket vouchers a week. Many people choose to sell their vouchers for just £20 cash to unscrupulous sharks just so they can buy bus tickets to attend college, or report at immigration reporting centres or to attend medical and legal appointments.

You can easily do something about this.

The Jesuit Refugee Service in London have set up a simple scheme to exchange these vouchers for cash at face value. If you shop at Asda, Tesco or Sainsbury you can buy the vouchers (which come as gift cards and tokens) through JRS for the cost of a stamp by downloading this form . http://www.church-overty.org.uk/campaigns/livingghosts/vouchers.pdf
This quick, simple action can make a massive difference to the life of people refused asylum. The tokens could make an excellent present for somebody.

JRS are so keen that similar schemes are established across the country they have produced a 1-page "How To Guide" that is available for download .
http://www.church-poverty.org.uk/campaigns/livingghosts/exchangescheme.pdf

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