Action is the antidote to despair

Supporting Refugees, Asylum Seekers
and People with No Recourse to Public Funds

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Who We Are

RAMA is a voluntary organisation offering non-judgemental, practical support to refugees, asylum seekers and individuals facing severe vulnerability. We help people navigate the challenges of arriving in a new town and tackle the inequalities they face when accessing essential services.

We work to reduce destitution and homelessness, filling gaps in statutory provision and advocating for those who are often overlooked. Through strong partnerships with local agencies and community organisations, we create lasting, meaningful change.

As an IAA registered organisation, we can now provide regulated advice for Home Office applications, including those related to Domestic Abuse and cases where individuals have no recourse to public funds.

About our Immigration Advice Service
RAMA is a not-for-profit organisation with limited funding. We support people who cannot afford paid immigration advice. As demand for our service is very high, we currently have a waiting list. To make sure help reaches those who need it most urgently, we prioritise clients who are facing destitution or serious financial hardship. Thank you for your understanding.

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What We Do

01.

Casework & Advocacy

Personalised support to navigate the asylum system.
We provide guidance, follow-up and advocacy to help individuals move through the asylum process and access essential services fairly and confidently.

02.

Physical Health & Wellbeing

Activities and support to promote health and community connection.
We offer community activities, GP registration support, HC2 access for free prescriptions and initiatives that improve health and overall wellbeing.

03.

Mental Health Support

Emotional resilience and specialist advocacy.
Through the Pamoja Project and therapeutic activities, we support mental wellbeing and work closely with psychology and psychiatry teams when needed.

04.

Immigration Advice

Regulated guidance for complex immigration matters.
As an IAA registered (Level 2) organisation, we support Home Office applications, including domestic abuse routes, human rights cases and other complex immigration issues.
Click for referrals to the Immigration Team

05.

Destitution Support

Immediate assistance for those facing extreme vulnerability.
We provide food, clothing, digital access, phones, SIM cards, furniture, bikes and emergency funds, along with immigration support to help reduce and prevent destitution.

06.

Benefits Support

Help to access financial support and welfare entitlements.
We assist with applications and assessments for Universal Credit, PIP, Housing Benefit and other key provisions that support financial stability.

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About our Immigration Advice Service

RAMA is a not-for-profit organisation with limited funding. We support people who cannot afford paid immigration advice. As demand for our service is very high, we currently have a waiting list. To make sure help reaches those who need it most urgently, we prioritise clients who are facing destitution or serious financial hardship. Thank you for your understanding.

Immigration Referrals

December 2025 Newsletter

Stay connected with RAMA and discover the impact we have made this December.
In our latest newsletter, we share key updates, community highlights,
and the progress of our ongoing work supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in our local area.

Read the December 2025 Newsletter

Client Testimonials

A

“I have never trusted anyone the way I trust RA-C (RAMA).
They are always helpful, professional and completely non-judgemental.
I feel as though I now have family in the UK, and that family is RA-C (RAMA). I am very happy.
They carry everyone’s problems on their shoulders.”

W

“The people at RA-C (RAMA) are incredibly kind and professional. If you have any problem, they will help you solve it. They are truly generous with their time and energy.
I feel very lucky to have come to Colchester, especially to have met the happy and friendly team at RA-C (RAMA).
I never imagined things could be this good for me.”

Your Support Makes a Difference

We warmly welcome financial donations to help us meet the growing demand for our services.
Every contribution supports essential work across our community.

DONATE

Items We Currently Welcome as Donations

We are very grateful for any of the following items, which help us support individuals and families in need:

-Toiletries: shampoo, shower gel, razors, body lotion, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes
-Cooking pots and pans
-Tinned foods: kidney beans, chickpeas, chopped tomatoes, baked beans, tuna, sardines, fruit, coconut milk, evaporated milk
-Cooking essentials: oil, tomato purée, pasta, rice, herbs and spices

-Nappies (sizes 4–7)
-Baby wipes and baby toiletries
-Clean duvets and duvet covers in good condition
-Backpacks, notebooks, pens and pencils (for college students)
-Working mobile phones
-PlayStations or other games consoles

Thank you for your generosity!
Every donation makes a meaningful difference.

Hate Incident Reporting Centre

RAMA is a recognised Hate Incident Reporting Centre (HIRC).
Victims or witnesses can report hate incidents and hate crimes safely and confidentially through us.
Scan the QR code to access the Hate Crime Reporting Form, or click below for more information.

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Honoured to Receive The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2023

We are delighted and deeply proud to have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2023, the highest recognition a voluntary group can receive in the UK, and the equivalent of an MBE for organisations.

This prestigious award celebrates outstanding voluntary service, and receiving it is one of the greatest acknowledgements of the commitment, compassion and hard work of everyone involved in RAMA. It reflects the extraordinary contributions of our volunteers and the meaningful impact we strive to make within our community.

Our Supporting Partners

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