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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Recently, we celebrated Anne’s 20 years at Solace, sharing stories about the many ways she has helped people start their lives again through therapy, their asylum cases, careers, housing and more

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Natalie Knowles explores inclusion health and reaching communities too often left behind Moving beyond traditional models of care to meet the realities of people’s lives in 2026 Full Blog: www.solace-uk.org.uk/blog/inclusi...

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

With @refugeeaction.bsky.social, we took a group of young people to Jamie's farm, a charity that offers therapeutic breaks Enjoying the Dales, spending time with the animals, watching the sheepdogs round up the sheep, making lunch, needle felting and overall just slowing down 🐑🌿

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

The Solace newsletter is back! It will recap the main stories and work from Solace over the last three months 20th Anniversary, Farsi men's group, Client story, Our video resources & blog www.solace-uk.org.uk/wp-content/u...

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Madias Ngake fled Cameroon and the Olympic village in 2012 for being LGBTQI+, she still got bronze She then worked in Leeds for 9 years from 2017, as she wasn't allowed to work for 5 years Now at 34, she just won silver at the Commonwealth Games

theguardian.com

Madias Ngake’s real-life movie script ends with weightlifting silver after sleeping rough

Madias Nagake, who gave up elite sport for more than a decade after representing Cameroon, said: ‘I never believed that I would ever be here’

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Solace has partnered with Migration Yorkshire to embed our clients’ lived experience into our services so they can have direct influence Full Blog: www.solace-uk.org.uk/blog/buildin...

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

2 York St John Counselling Psychology doctorate students have completed their placement with us and we’re so thankful for the support they’ve provided to our clients! “Work that is felt, that reaches people and genuinely changes lives. A real commitment to humanity” Leyan & Sarah

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

For our July blog, our therapists share their most important advice for supporting refugees and asylum seekers. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience, they quickly highlight the most important insights that can make the biggest difference. Full Blog: www.solace-uk.org.uk/blog/top-tip...

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Our 20th anniversary event was amazing, we celebrated so many wonderful people! Here is a short video of our Clinical Manager, Anne, speaking as she prepares to retire soon after being here the whole 20 years!

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

To celebrate #RefugeeWeek2026, colleagues at Solace ticked off 2 of the 5 ways to wellbeing this morning by completing Potternewton #Parkrun this morning. "get active" "make connections" and well done to Rose who also ticked off "try something new" as a first time parkrunner. It was brilliant!

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

We are celebrating 20 years of Solace next week! We're hosting a special online event on the 17th at 10am with a range of other organisations You will hear about practical, meaningful ways to support the well-being of refugees and people seeking asylum Book Free: bit.ly/49P3hvT

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Our June blog introduces you to another one of our free resources We have written a series of practical and reflective papers grounded in our frontline therapeutic experience Designed for professionals who work with refugees and asylum seekers www.solace-uk.org.uk/blog/sharing...

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

We had our Million Acts of Hope shared lunch last week, with clients & staff! Here are some of the hearts we made: “Hope is being believed, hope is my fuel for life, hope is brilliant”

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Some of our staff have opened their homes for long terms stays to refugees, 5+ years through official schemes They had nothing but positive things to say about these refugees, despite everything those refugees had been through #MillionActsofHope @refugeestogether.bsky.social

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

We have some free training coming up for people working and volunteering in Leeds. Working with interpreters in a mental health setting. 29/01/2026 10.30-13.00. For more details www.solace-uk.org.uk/training/spe...

solace-uk.org.uk

Working with Interpreters in a mental health setting | Solace

Working with Interpreters in a mental health setting - Surviving exile and persecution

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Reposted by Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution

Together With Refugees @refugeestogether.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Hope can be stronger than hate. From 13 – 20 May, we at Together With Refugees are joining A Million Acts of Hope — a week of action to amplify the hope we see in our communities every day. Be part of it. millionactsofhope.org #amillionactsofhope #togetherwithrefugees #🧡

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Our 2nd blog is live on our website! It's from our Clinical Director Anne, she explores the lesser discussed points of Maslow’s work and how this applies to sanctuary seekers Full Blog: www.solace-uk.org.uk/blog/how-mas...

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Why unregulated advice finds a market Asylum Seekers are in a constant struggle for access to legal aid Massive repeated funding cuts lead to a few desperate individuals being led astray out of 100,000s 51% of asylum applicants were unable to find a legal aid lawyer Read more here

theconversation.com

Legal aid for asylum seekers is hard to come by – it’s no wonder criminal advisers are taking advantage

People seeking asylum navigate one of the most complex areas of law, often not in their first language

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

This week our clinical director Anne celebrated 20 years with us! Anne has been with Solace since the beginning and has shaped our wonderful services with compassion and a great deal of skill Peter Coltman our treasurer was one of the trustees who interviewed and appointed Anne. Good choice Peter!

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

A BBC program episode has investigated fabricated LBGTQI+ asylum claims, however they didn't investigate how many cases there are at all. Only 2% of asylum claims even included sexual orientation as a reason Solace has signed Rainbow Migration's statement, read it here

rainbowmigration.org.uk

We stand united against harmful BBC reporting that targets already marginalised communities - Rainbow Migration

We are joined by over 100 organisations as signatories of this statement: recent BBC reporting risks causing real harm to communities that are already systemically marginalised.

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

From assimilation to real belonging The question was, “How do we keep communities calm?” When it should have been, “How do we help communities thrive together?” www.bigissue.com/opinion/refu...

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

We are starting our new series of monthly blogs today! Expect updates on what we're up to, what we're noticing, articles from our team members, and more! The first is from Kathryn, our CEO! Full Blog - www.solace-uk.org.uk/blog/hearing...

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Lovely feedback from a client: I have been granted refugee status! Looking back at where I was when we started our sessions I wasn’t sure I would make it to this point. The uncertainty and weight of everything were so difficult to carry but your support and patience gave me the tools to keep going."

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Many of our clients end up starting businesses, so this comes as no surprise to us We also see how even small support can massively help their businesses With proper support, it's projected they can produce 5.1 billion per year squareup.com/gb/en/press/...

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

We asked our clients to tell us how we had helped them - here's some of the things they said: I'm amazed how the sessions helped me to feel confident again and how to handle the sadness. SOLACE was the only my Life Saver and I am proud to say with respect, because of SOLACE, I'm living today

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

@mindwellleeds.bsky.social Please help to share the fantastic resources on our website which can really help refugees and asylum seekers improve their mental health www.solace-uk.org.uk/training/hel... Topics include stress, sleep, and many more. This can really help over the holidays especially

solace-uk.org.uk

Helpful resources for refugees and people seeking safety | Solace

Helpful resources for refugees and people seeking safety - Surviving exile and persecution

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

We are feeling festive at Solace today and our office looks lovely. Looking forward to the performance by our drama group shortly.

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

Along with many others, Solace is very concerned about the proposed changes to the asylum system. We hope that common sense will prevail and the ideas will not be implemented. Read our initial response here: www.solace-uk.org.uk/difference-w...

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

A place to heal: How asylum accommodation re-traumatises torture survivors www.freedomfromtorture.org/news-and-sto... @freedomfromtorture.bsky.social

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

In her proposed changes to the asylum system the Home Secretary referred to the anger some people in the UK feel at the moment. People seeking protection in the UK are being used as scapegoats to deflect anger away from the problems that really need tackling. Communities need connecting not dividing

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Reposted by Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution

Refugee Council @refugeecouncil.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

We know why people come to the UK: because they already have family here, they speak some English, or they have long-standing ties that help them rebuild their lives in safety.

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Solace has been part of the wonderful Spring Project in Sheffield since 2018. We met up as partner organisations yesterday and it was fantastic to talk about how our shared values really shine through. "We do things differently because we see that it works!" www.vas.org.uk/what-we-do/s...

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Stress Awareness Week is coming to an end But that doesn't mean people stop supporting you in your fight against stress We have many proven techniques to lower stress, sleep, relax, ease body tension, relieve headaches etc www.solace-uk.org.uk/training/hel... This video continues over there!

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Separation from family members doesn’t just hurt emotionally; it stops people from being able to rebuild their lives. "You can’t settle into a new community, learn, work, or heal when part of you is still unsafe". Family reunion is critical for refugees. assets.redcross.org.uk/82b1e254-552...

assets.redcross.org.uk

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Charities rely on their Trustees to set the direction of the organisation but also to step in to help with many practical things. I want to say a huge thank you to our inspirational Solace Trustees. They are a fantastic bunch of knowledgeable people, and they are incredibly supportive. THANK YOU!

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Reposted by Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution

Refugee Action @refugeeaction.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Hey Keir Starmer, get the memo? We’ve delivered thousands of messages to Number 10 from our supporters, with the help of some digi-vans! People are fed up with politicians choosing failed policies and scapegoating over investing in all communities. Time for real change.

A delivery truck with the slogan "STOP SCAPEGOATING. START FIXING BRITAIN." drives past Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament on a sunny day.

Four activists wearing Refugee Action t-shirts stand in front of 10 Downing Street, holding signs that support refugee rights in the UK.

A truck displaying a digital billboard with the message "Everyone needs a safe place to live. Build homes and stop scapegoating migrants." from James, Spen Valley, parked in front the Home Office.

Person standing in front of 10 Downing Street wearing a T-shirt that reads "SAY IT LOUD SAY IT CLEAR REFUGEES WELCOME HERE," with another person and a security officer in the background.

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

'28 days to destitution". Thankyou for outlining the huge challenges refugees face in the first month after getting their status. Its still shocking and good to be reminded how brutal this is.

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

This is a brilliant report by @freedomfromtorture.bsky.social which explains the reality of asylum accommodation and the impact on it has on the recovery process for survivors of torture. www.freedomfromtorture.org/sites/defaul...

freedomfromtorture.org

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

Did you know you can support asylum seekers improve their mental health by using our video resources? www.solace-uk.org.uk/training/hel... Topics include stress, sleep, and many more. Tell us what issues you want help with and we will send a personalised response: forms.office.com/e/48CUYhBbF5

solace-uk.org.uk

Helpful resources for refugees and people seeking safety | Solace

Helpful resources for refugees and people seeking safety - Surviving exile and persecution

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

🔴 FALSE 🔴 The UK is behind France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Greece, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands & more in asylum applications per capita While being the 2nd richest country in Europe

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

This statement from people living in asylum hotels in Greater Manchester is a compassionate response to the rise in violent protests written by people who are living it every day. I hope it leads to more nuanced conversations and understanding. Thankyou to everyone involved in putting it together.

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Many countries have banned asylum seekers from working 🚨Not a single country saw a reduction in asylum cases the following few years, not even a simple correlation🚨 94% of asylum seekers want to work, if their work ban were lifted, they could add £333 million annually to the economy

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

Thankyou @imixuk.bsky.social for the workshop today sharing such useful information about crisis communications. Hearing about the abuse and misinformation charities have endured recently is shocking.

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Toay is #worldmentalhealthday and Solace is stressing the word "world". Whoever you are and whatever your background we stand alongside you today with warm wishes and welcome.

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Reposted by Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution

UK for UNHCR @ukforunhcr.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

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Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution @solaceleeds.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

There is so much focus on division so today it is great to come together with other charities, services and local authorities to discuss how we can provide welcome and safety. @migrationyorkshire.bsky.social

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Reposted by Solace Surviving Exile and Persecution

Refugee Action @refugeeaction.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Today feels like a good day to remember that most of us believe in welcome 💜 Here are some of the thousands of messages we've received from supporters recently. We'll be delivering them to Number 10, because it seems the government needs this reminder too.

Graphic poster featuring a quote by Steven, Manchester. It reads, "Pitting the public against people fleeing war and persecution is only hindering community cohesion." The design includes abstract shapes in black and pastel colors on a green background.

Graphic poster featuring a quote bubble with a message wishing for Keir Starmer to recognize refugees as equals, signed by Emmanuel, MCR. The background includes abstract shapes in various colors.

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