CIAC - Community Integration and Advocacy Centre

CIAC - Community Integration and Advocacy Centre Immigration and Asylum Advice. Hull, U.K. CIAC OISC No: F201700047 | CIAC Charity Commission No: 1170984

02/09/2026

After enduring torture and imprisonment in Sudan, Ahmed Bakheet is using his skills in the North East.

The Great Housing MythAsylum seekers and refugees are NOT being given priority over local people for housing. Asylum see...
02/09/2026

The Great Housing Myth

Asylum seekers and refugees are NOT being given priority over local people for housing. Asylum seekers are generally not eligible for social housing while their claims are being processed, and many are accommodated in the asylum system rather than in council housing. Refugees who are granted status can become eligible to apply for housing support, but they still have to meet the normal rules and compete within local housing allocation systems, which are usually based on need and local connection.

The wider claim that migrants are “jumping the queue” for social housing is not supported by the evidence. In practice, access to housing is tightly controlled, and many migrants have no recourse to public funds at all. The real housing crisis is driven by a shortage of affordable homes, long waiting lists, and underinvestment in social housing - not by asylum seekers being prioritised.

Sources: Chartered Institute Of Housing, Full Fact, Equality and Human Rights Commission

Calling all musicians in 🎶
25/08/2026

Calling all musicians in 🎶

24/08/2026

We know building a new life isn’t just about surviving – we want refugees to find happiness and purpose.

Many people arrive having left everything they know behind. They want to rebuild their lives and start work.

But many continue to face challenges, even after receiving refugee protection. Helping them get to the point where they’re independent again is a key part of what we do.

We’re there for people as they learn English, find work and learn to cope with the trauma they experienced, so they can become independent and contribute to the communities that welcomed them.

Your donations mean we can be there for more refugees hoping to rebuild their lives in Britain: https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/support-us/ways-to-donate/donate-today-to-help-a-refugee-into-employment/?fbclid=IwY2xjawT1VChwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5IH4DGXQgJhB0iRnHy_emO_yUNogo0KDBV0XpPviurR18l5YnPG7_yyTeN8Q_aem_TjEsDN5otBIPXPX7qLoBhw

24/08/2026

At Migrant Help, we’re committed not only to supporting vulnerable adults and people who have experienced exploitation, but also to equipping everyone with the knowledge needed to identify and prevent it.

That’s why we’ve developed a comprehensive set of resources — available in 16 languages — designed to help deepen understanding of modern slavery, how to spot the signs, how to prevent exploitation, and the support pathways available.

All of the resources below were co‑produced with a panel of individuals with lived experience, ensuring they are accurate, empowering, and grounded in real insight. Be sure to explore them.

🔗 www.migranthelpuk.org/reducing-exploitation

Some recent client feedback regarding Travel Documents. *Travel Document for Refugees £75*Community Integration and Advo...
20/08/2026

Some recent client feedback regarding Travel Documents.

*Travel Document for Refugees £75*

Community Integration and Advocacy Centre (CIAC) is a registered charity which is regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) at Level 3 (for all types of immigration applications including representation in appeals).

CIAC charges very low fees for people with a positive immigration status. The low fees we charge help to pay for the very substantial pro bono (free) applications we complete for people without a positive immigration status (asylum seekers and unauthorised migrants) and people fleeing domestic abuse. Approximately 75% of our work is pro bono.

visit https://bit.ly/3XAYvwg
email: [email protected]

People seeking asylum and refugees are often treated in public debate as abstract policy issues rather than individuals ...
17/08/2026

People seeking asylum and refugees are often treated in public debate as abstract policy issues rather than individuals exercising a fundamental need: the need to be safe. In practice, a person seeking asylum may be fleeing conflict, political persecution, religious or ethnic violence, gender-based harm, trafficking, or persecution because of their sexuality or identity. Their circumstances cannot be fairly understood through a headline or a label.

The international refugee protection system exists because states recognised that people should not be returned to places where they face persecution or serious harm. The central principle is non-refoulement: a person should not be sent back to a country where their life or freedom would be at risk. This is not simply an act of charity. It is a legal and moral obligation grounded in the Refugee Convention and wider human-rights protections.

Yet immigration policy frequently shifts according to political pressure. Safe and lawful routes may be limited, family reunion rules tightened, and procedures made more complex or restrictive. The same people are then criticised for using dangerous journeys or irregular routes, even where viable alternatives have been deliberately removed. In effect, the criteria change after people have already fled danger, making protection increasingly difficult to obtain.

A fair asylum system must assess people on the evidence of their individual circumstances, not on the political convenience of their arrival route or the popularity of the government of the day. Decision-making must be timely, lawful and humane, with access to legal advice and a meaningful opportunity to explain why return is unsafe.

Compassion has an essential place in this process. It does not mean abandoning proper assessment, borders or legal rules. It means applying those rules with accuracy, dignity and an awareness of the consequences of error. Behind every case is a person whose safety, family life and future may depend on the outcome.

https://bit.ly/3XAYvwg

Join the **CIAC Women’s Group and English Classes** every Wednesday, 12:30–2:30pm, at CIAC, 185 Ferensway, Hull, HU1 3UA...
13/08/2026

Join the **CIAC Women’s Group and English Classes** every Wednesday, 12:30–2:30pm, at CIAC, 185 Ferensway, Hull, HU1 3UA.

A welcoming space for women to have fun, connect, reflect, learn and spend time together. For more information, contact Sireen on 07421 527357

CIAC: Fees 2026 Travel Document for Refugees £75Certificate of Travel £150**Citizenship for children £300 p.p plus £150 ...
11/08/2026

CIAC: Fees 2026
Travel Document for Refugees £75
Certificate of Travel £150
**Citizenship for children £300 p.p plus £150 if fee waiver is required (discount for multiple applications submitted at the same time)**
Citizenship for adult £300 - £500
Family Reunion for Refugees £400 - £800
Entry Clearance/Dependent Family Member £400 - £800
Visit visa £400 - £800
Further leave to remain (5/10 year route) £400 - £800 plus £150 if fee waiver required
Settlement after 5 years as a Refugee/Humanitarian Protection £400
Settlement after 10 years long residence £400 - £600
Appeals including representation in court £1800+ depending on complexity
Hourly rates: L1 £75; L2 £100; L3 £150 (applicable to consultations and non-standard applications)
Community Integration and Advocacy Centre (CIAC) is a registered charity which is regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) at Level 3 (for all types of immigration applications including representation in appeals).
CIAC charges very low fees for people with a positive immigration status. The low fees we charge help to pay for the very substantial pro bono (free) applications we complete for people without a positive immigration status (asylum seekers and unauthorised migrants) and people fleeing domestic abuse. Approximately 75% of our work is pro bono.
visit https://bit.ly/3XAYvwg
email: [email protected]

04/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who reads this. We would also like to say that HHfR supports many people in our community including Hull citizens. 'People are people' and we believe it's very important to recognise this. Hope to see you at our amazing tombolas. X### ♥️

Address

185 Ferensway
Kingston Upon Hull
HU13AA

Telephone

+447506628038

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when CIAC - Community Integration and Advocacy Centre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category