Local Area Information

Useful Information for Refugees living in Northern Ireland

Information about specific support services and agencies in each Northern Ireland Council Area.

Antrim and Newtownabbey

Antrim and Newtownabbey Bourgh Council

Address: Antrim Civic Centre, 50 Stiles Way,  Antrim, BT41 2UB

Tel: 0300 123 4568

Opening times: Monday to Friday: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey,  BT36 5QA

Tel: 0300 123 4568

Opening times: Monday to Friday: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Useful numbers within the Bourgh

https://antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/council/non-council-services-(1)/

Community advice Antrim and Newtownabbey (CAAN)

Address: Dunanney Centre, Rathmullan Drive, Newtownabbey, BT37 9DQ

Tel:  028 9590 6505

Email: [email protected]

Opening times: Monday to Friday: 9am – 4pm (Tuesday to 7pm)

Farranshane House, 1 Ballygore Road, Antrim, BT41 2RN

Opening times: Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm (Tuesday to 7pm)

Domestic Abuse Support Work

Women’s Aid ABCLN

Support across Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey

Tel: 028 25 632136

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://womens-aid.org.uk//

Male Domestic Abuse Counselling Service

Tel: 028 9424 1929

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://mapni.co.uk/

Welcome Churches

Website: https://welcomechurches.org

Armagh Banbridge Craigavon

Migrant Support Portadown-Armagh-Banbridge- Craigavon

Support services for all migrants, including language learning, EU Settlement Scheme, advice and access to different benefits, GP registration, Pension, Housing, Tax Refund, Child Benefit

Face-to-face consultations can be booked by phoning 028 3898 8610

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.abcmigrant.co.uk/

People 1st – MIGRANT ACCESS PROGRAMME

English Classes, CV writing, completing application forms, improving your job interview skills and techniques, job searching, mock interview preparation, employment support

Tel: 028 9066 9669

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://people-1st.co.uk/programmes/migrant-access-programme/

People can also be referred by local Job & Benefits office

Job Centre Armagh

Benefits, financial support or employment

To book an appointment at your local Jobs & Benefits office:

Tel: 0300 200 7822

Email:  [email protected]

Website: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/armagh-jobs-benefits-office

Job Centre Portadown

Benefits, financial support or employment

To book an appointment at your local Jobs & Benefits office:

Tel: 0300 200 7822

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/portadown-jobs-benefits-office

Craigavon Area Foodbank (Craigavon, Portadown and Lurgan)

Emergency food and advice

Tel: 03330507702

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/craigavonarea/

Community advice Armagh Banbridge Craigavon

Benefit Checks & Advice, Debt & Money Advice, Housing, Employment, Business Debt, Consumer Issues, Health & Community Care, Relationships, EU Settlement Scheme, Immigration, Tribunal Representation, Education, Tax Credits & HMRC Matters, Macmillan Benefits Service

Appointments available in:

  • Portadown Health Centre, Portadown, BT62 3BU 
  • The Annex, Lurgan Town Hall, Lurgan, BT66 8DY 
  • Banbridge Town Hall, Banbridge, BT32 3DA 
  • McCrums Court, Armagh, BT61 7RS

Tel: 0330 135 9733

Reception: (Option 1) Monday to Friday: 9am - 1pm and 2pm- 4pm

Advice Line: (Option 2) Monday to Friday: 9:30 - 1pm

Email: [email protected]

Outreach services (by appointment only)

Dromore - Via Wings Fridays 10am - 1pm

Rathfriland - Community Centre Fridays 2pm - 4pm

Keady - T-Mac Centre Thursdays 9am - 1pm

Community Advice Armagh Banbridge Craigavon | Benefits Advice Northern Ireland (adviceabc.co.uk)

Northern Ireland Housing Executive Armagh

Housing advice and emergency accommodation

Address: 48 Dobbin Street Armagh, BT61 7QQ

Tel: 03448 920900

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.nihe.gov.uk/my-housing-executive

Northern Ireland Housing Executive Portadown

Housing advice and emergency accommodation

Address: 56 Bridge street, Banbridge, BT32 3JU

Tel: 03448 920900

Email: [email protected]

Please Note: The Banbridge Office is operating on an appointment based opening arrangement.              

Website: https://www.nihe.gov.uk/my-housing-executive

Educational Authority - Intercultural Education Service

Education support

IES HelpDesk: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=llBpSmv1qkKriLaXlL-gxJy-XZ6Dz-5BgpSzb4ybY0VUMVhLVEREVVpTVzJSMFcwTEJGRkhCVzlZWi4u

Tel: 028 9448 2210

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.eani.org.uk/school-management/intercultural-education-service-ies/about-intercultural-education-service

Blossom Sure Start Portadown

Support to pregnant women and families who have a preschool child or children (0-4 years)

Tel: 028 38 337 455 

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.blossomsurestart.com/

Sure Start Banbridge

Early education, health and family support services to families with children under 4 years

Tel: 028 406 22475

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://starsurestart.com/about-us/

Arke Sure Start Armagh

Support to families from the ante-natal stage to when your youngest child turns 4

Tel: 028 3751 8569

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.arkesurestart.com/

Law Centre NI

Immigration advice

Advice line Tel: 028 9024 4401

Website: https://www.lawcentreni.org

Make The Call

Benefits advice

Freephone (network charges may apply) 0800 232 1271

Email [email protected]

Website: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/make-call-service

Belfast

YMCA Lisburn

Advice Clinic

Tel: 07483122839 – appointment only

Arabic interpreter works Monday and Saturday only

Make the Call

Benefits Advice –

Help with completing benefit forms

Freephone:  0800 232 1271

Email: [email protected]

Text ADVICE to 079 8440 5248

Website: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/make-call-service

BURC (Belfast Unemployment Resource Centre)

Welfare and Benefits

Address: 4-6 Donegall Street, Belfast, BT1 2FN

Tel: 028 90961111

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://www.burc.org/welfare-advice/

STEM/NIACRO

Supports people whose tenancy may be at risk due to harassment and intimidation due to their ethnicity.

Address: Amelia House, 4 Amelia Street, Belfast, BT2 7GS

Tel: 028 9032 0157

Website: https://www.niacro.co.uk/stem

NIHE – Belfast Area

Housing

North Belfast Office/South and East Belfast/West Belfast

Address: 1- 11 May Street, Belfast, BT1 4NA

Tel: 03448920900

Email: [email protected][email protected][email protected]

West Belfast office (The Dairy Office)

Address: Dairy Farm, Stewartstown Road, Belfast, BT17 OSB.

Email: [email protected]

West Belfast Area (Shankill Office)

Address: Shankill Wellbeing Centre, Belfast, BT13 1PD

Email: [email protected]

Migrant Centre NI

Advice

Address: Ballynafeigh Community Development Association, 283 Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 3GG

General enquires tel: 0330 088 0464

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://migrantcentreni.org/

ASCONI (African and Caribbean Support Organisation)

Immigration Clinic – open to anyone living in NI

Address: 1st Floor, Lower Crescent, Belfast BT7 1NR

Every Wednesday 11am to 1pm. No appointment necessary. 1st come basis.

Tel: 028 9043 40 90

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.acsoni.org/

Red Cross – Refugee Support Service NI

Advice/ Family Reunification (query )/ Family tracing

Address: 1st Floor Botanic House, 1-5 Botanic Avenue, Belfast BT7 1JG

Monday to Friday – appointment only

Tel: 028 9032 3055/07843344601

WhatsApp (Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm)

Email: [email protected]

Law Centre NI

Immigration Advice

Tel: 028 9024 4401

Opening times: Monday to Friday 9.30am – 1pm)

Website: https://www.lawcentreni.org

EA – Education Authority

Education support, Free School Meals

Uniform Grant, Bus pass and School applications

Address: 40 Academy Street, Belfast
BT1 2NQ, United Kingdom

Tel: 028 9056 4000

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.eani.org.uk/

Belfast Jobs & Benefits offices

Benefits

Various locations

Tel: 0300 200 7822

Websites:

Causeway Coast and Glens

Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council

Address: Cloonavin, 66 Portstewart Road, Coleraine, BT52 1EY

Tel: 028 7034 7034

Email: [email protected]

Causeway coast and glens borough council information for newcomers!

Website: https://www.causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk/live/information_for_newcomers

Community Advice Causeway

Address: 2nd Floor, CRUN Building, 1-5 Brook St, Coleraine BT52 1PW

Opening times: Monday to Friday 9:30am – 4pm (Thursday to 7pm)

Tel:  028 7034 4817

Email: [email protected]

Ballymoney Community Resource Centre

Address: Unit 22 & 23, Acorn Business Park, 2 Riada Avenue Ballymoney, Antrim BT53 7LH

Tel: 028 2766 5068 

Email: [email protected] 

Welcome Churches

Website: https://welcomechurches.org/

Derry Strabane

Derry & Strabane Council Area

Website for Welcome Pack ‘New Residence Guide’ 10 languages available including Arabic.

Website: https://www.derrystrabane.com/

New-Resident-Guide-July23.pdf (derrystrabane.com) (English)

North West Islamic Association

A voluntary/community organisation established in 2012. Its beneficiaries are mainly members of the Muslim community residing in the North West region of Northern Ireland. The charity provides information, practical support and activities for the Islamic community in Northwest. Address: Hyde Business Park, 3, Pennyburn Industrial Estate, Londonderry BT48 0LU

Email: [email protected]

Migrant Centre NI

Works to protect the rights of migrant workers in NI. Financial health and wellbeing project providing support with welfare benefits, race hate crime advocacy service supporting victims of race hate crime, immigration advice for EU Settlement Scheme as well as migration justice project which engages in advocacy, lobbying, and policy work to advocate for migrant rights and for a more just immigration system.

Address: The Old Church, Clarendon Street, Londonderry/Derry, BT48 7ES

Website: https://migrantcentreni.org

North West Migrants Forum

NWMF provides a comprehensive list of services, which includes the following: interpreters, Conversational English classes, expert immigration advice, befriending opportunities through our Social Cafe Initiative, Housing advice/ advocacy, welfare advice and signposting, youth and family friendly programmes, Education and training services, and social activities (music, dancing, cooking, visits etc.).

Address: 10 Fountain Street, Londonderry BT48 6QX

Tel: 02871362184, 07912 29577, 07476 136168

Email: [email protected]

Women’s Centre, Derry Women’s Centre Derry

is a safe and welcoming space for women and children, offering a range of programmes including: • Multicultural Programme - make friends, gain important information and improve your English. • Children’s advocacy support for newcomer children - including after school club • Mum and baby programmes and parenting support • Supporting women to gain qualifications, gain skills and support into employment. • Perinatal advocacy support • Onsite creche for children 8 weeks to 4 years old to enable women with young children to attend programmes.

Address: 5 Guildhall Street, Derry/Londonderry BT48 6BB

Contact: Catherine Barr

Telephone: 028 7126 7672

Email: [email protected]

Advice NI

This free service offers free, independent, high quality advice on issues from benefits and debt to housing and employment.   
Tel: 0800 915 4604

Email: [email protected]

Make the call

This service provides an individual benefit, service and support check (interpreters available)

Tel: 0800 232 1271

Housing Rights

This service provides professional housing and debt advice.
Tel: 028 9024 5640

Lisburn and Castlereagh

YMCA Lisburn

Advice Clinic

Tel: 07483122839 (Appointment only) - Arabic speaking support worker Hafi works only Monday and Saturday.

NIHE Housing Executive Lisburn

Housing advice and emergency accommodation

Address: 29 Antrim Street, Lisburn, BT281AU

Telephone: 03448 920900

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.nihe.gov.uk/my-housing-executive

Emergency out-of-hours service after 5pm, at the weekend and on bank holidays, for those who have nowhere safe to stay and require emergency accommodation.

Shelter NI

Drop-in clinic for Refugees and Asylum-seekers residing in Lisburn & Castlereagh area

Address: Lisburn Bridge Community Centre (Hamilton room)

Opening Hours: Every Tuesday from 11am-2pm

Tel: 028 9024 7752 

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.shelterni.org/

People 1st – MIGRANT ACCESS PROGRAMME

  • English Classes
  • CV writing
  • completing application forms
  • improving your job interview skills and techniques
  • job searching
  • mock interview
  • employment support

Tel: 028 9066 9669

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://people-1st.co.uk/programmes/migrant-access-programme/

People can also be referred by local Job & Benefits office

Lisburn Sure Start

Antenatal and postnatal programmes,

Breastfeeding and infant nutrition support, Play development programmes, Speech and language support, Parenting programmes,

Home visiting, Physical activity and healthy eating programmes

Tel: 02892 672 292 (Office)

Website: https://www.lisburnsurestart.org/home/ , https://www.lisburnsurestart.org/parents/register-with-us/

Educational Authority - Intercultural Education Service

Educational support

IES Help Desk:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=llBpSmv1qkKriLaXlL-gxJy-XZ6Dz-5BgpSzb4ybY0VUMVhLVEREVVpTVzJSMFcwTEJGRkhCVzlZWi4u

Tel: 028 9448 2210

Email [email protected]

Website: https://www.eani.org.uk/school-management/intercultural-education-service-ies/about-intercultural-education-service

Lisburn Job Centre

Benefits, financial support or employment

Book an appointment at your local Jobs & Benefits office:

Tel: 0300 200 7822

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/lisburn-jobs-benefits-office

Community Advice Lisburn & Castlereagh

Benefits and Housing Advice, Employment, Access to Food Banks, Access to help with fuel, Immigration advice, debt advice, family issues

Tel: 02892662251

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://calcni.com/

Lisburn Foodbank

Emergency food and advice (advocacy, budgeting, debt advice, housing support)

Address: 1-3 Graham Gardens, Lisburn, BT281XE

Opening hours: Mon 11-13, Tue 11-13, Thu 11-13, Fri 11-13

Website: https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/lisburn/

Law Centre NI

Immigration advice

Advice line 028 9024 4401

Website: https://www.lawcentreni.org

Make The Call

Benefits advice

Freephone (network charges may apply) 0800 232 1271

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/make-call-service

Mid and East Antrim

Ballymena Inter Ethnic Forum

Aim to help Ethnic minorities within the Mid and East Antrim borough council area.

Tel: 028 2564 8822

Address: 20 William Street, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT43 6AW

Mid and East Antrim Community Advice services

One stop shop to meet the needs of the community.

Address: 4 Wellington Court, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT43 6EQ

Other locations: 11 Antrim street, Carrickfergus, BT38 7DG

2 Station Rd, The Market Yard, Larne, BT40 3AA

Tel: 028 9600 1333

Mid Ulster District Council

Step

Local Advice Centres in Mid-Ulster (interpreters available)

Dungannon Advice Centre

Address: The Junction, 12 Beechvalley Way, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland, BT70 1BS

Tel: 02887 750211

Magherafelt Advice Centre

Address: 13 Queen Street, Magherafelt, Northern Ireland BT45 6AA

Tel: 02879 633079

Cookstown Advice Centre

Address: 14 Union Street, Cookstown, Tyrone, Northern Ireland, BT80 8NN

Tel: 02886 761875

First Steps – Women’s Centre

Advice, counselling, training programmes for women of all nationalities.

Adress: 21a William Street, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, BT70 1DX

Tel: 02887727648

Email: [email protected]

Mid Ulster Advice Services (MIDAS)

Local advice service delivered across Mid Ulster to those in need. It is free, confidential, independent, and provided by qualified, experienced and empathetic advisors.

Dungannon: 028 8775 0211
Cookstown: 028 8676 1875
Magherafelt: 028 7963 3079

Advice NI

This free service offers free, independent, high quality advice on issues from benefits and debt to housing and employment.   

Tel: 0800 915 4604
Email: [email protected]

Make the call

This service provides an individual benefit, service and support check (interpreters available)

Tel: 0800 232 1271

Housing Rights

This service provides professional housing and debt advice.
028 9024 5640

Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre

Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre is based in Magherafelt and Cookstown. We seek to encourage social inclusion by working with the community to help further personal development through volunteering and/or training.

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.midulstervolunteercentre.org

Magherafelt: 20 Queen Street, Magherafelt, BT45 6AB

Tel: 028 7930 1862

Cookstown: 2b Coagh Cresent, Cookstown, BT80 8NH

Tel: 028 8676 1122

Leisure Centres, Gyms and Swimming Pools

Cookstown: Church St, Cookstown BT80 8HT

Tel: 028 8676 3853

Dungannon : Circular Rd, Dungannon BT71 6BH

Tel: 028 8772 0370

Magherafelt (Greenvale): 19a Market St, Magherafelt BT45 6EE

Tel: 028 7963 2796

Newry Mourne and Down

NI Hyatt

Telephone/online Advice/signposting

Send a WhatsApp on Monday,

Appointments are available on Wednesday and Saturday.

Website: NI Hyatt | NI Hyatt

Make the Call

Benefits Advice –

Help with completing benefit forms

Tel: FREE - 0800 232 1271

Text ADVICE to 079 8440 5248

Email: [email protected]

Website: Make the Call Service | nidirect

NIHE – Northern Irelad Housing Executive

Housing

Location: Downpatrick Office

Address: 2nd Floor, Downshire Civic Centre, Downshire Estate, Ardglass, Downpatrick, Co Down, BT30 6RA

Tel: 03448 920900

Email: [email protected]

Location: Newry Office

Address: 35/45 Boat Street, Newry, Co Down, BT34 2DB

Tel: 03448 920900

Email: [email protected]

Website: The Housing Executive - Welcome to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive website (nihe.gov.uk)

Jobs and Benefits Office

Benefits

Address Downpatrick Office,: Rathkeltair House, Market Street, Downpatrick, BT30 6LZ

Tel: 0300 200 7822

Email: [email protected]

Address Newcastle Office: 31 Valentia Place
Newcastle, Co Down, Northern Ireland
BT33 0EJ

Tel: 0300 200 7822

Email: [email protected]

Address Newry Office: 31 Valentia Place, Newcastle, Co Down, Northern Ireland,
BT33 0EJ

Tel: 0300 200 7822

Email: [email protected]

Migrant Centre NI

Phone Line Help and Advice/ financial advice and advice for those experiencing racism.

No office in this council area.

Tel: 0330 088 0464

Email: [email protected]

Website: Home - Migrant Centre NI

Welcome Churches

Guidance, advice and connecting with the local community, English.

Email: [email protected]

Website: Find Your Welcome

Sure Start

Support for children aged 0-4 years old and their parents.

Promoting development of children through play.

Support for parents – befriending, parenting information.

Information on healthcare.

Newry- 2 Warrenpoint Rd, Newry BT34 2PF

Tele: 028 3083 3780

Email: [email protected]

Contact DOWN SureStart - DOWN SureStart  - Various locations

Down office, 5-7 Mount Crescent, Downpatrick, BT30 6AF

Tel: 028 44613 630

Email: [email protected]

Omagh and Fermanagh

Omagh Ethnic communities support group

Give advice on benefits, support for Racial harassment, help with health-related issues, provide training and employment advice and offer immigration advice.

Address: Community House, 2 Drumragh Avenue,  Omagh, County Tyrone, BT78 1 DP

Tel: 028 8224 9750

Email: [email protected]

Community Advice Fermanagh

Offer face to face appointments to help fill in application forms.

Address: Fermanagh House, Broadmeadow Place, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, BT74 7HR

Tel: 028 6632 4334

Email: [email protected]

Omagh Independent Advice Services for Fermanagh and Omagh council areas

Help with social security matters and entitlement to disability benefits including completion of benefit application forms, Tax credits, employment advice, debt advice and help with housing issues.

Tel: 028 8224 3252

TEXT: 078 8900 2207

Email: [email protected]

Erano Fermanagh and Omagh Refugee Support

Drop-in clinic from 9.30am to 1.30 pm every Monday. Provides practical support for refugees.

Address: Fermanagh House, Broadmeadow Place, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, BT74 7HR

Tel: 07783706598

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