The Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership has been awarded charity status.
The organisation, which has been active for 13 years as the Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Project, announced its name change along with its registration with the Charity Commission last week.
The partnership, which helps refugees adapt to life in this country, works alongside other agencies in the town, including New Hope, Red Cross, YMCA, Home-Start and Social Services.
It aims to show refugees a caring face, and to help with food, toiletries, and suggestions for seeking advice about accommodation, money, and access to legal advice to regularise their legal status, if required.
The partnership also helps those seeking leave to remain in the UK with a contribution to their Home Office application fees, offers English classes and runs a drop-in centre twice a week. Last year it assisted 77 adults and 69 children.
Chairman Tim Whittaker said: "By becoming a registered charity we will now be able to expand our services to include advice on immigration-related matters as they are of prime concern to our clients, as well as to improve our financial position as we strive to provide basic needs, advice and services – helping an ever-increasing number of confused, worried and impoverished clients who end up in our neighbourhood."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here