It is our mission to advocate for those we support, who often feel their voices are not heard.
Our dedicated Advice and Advocacy Team consists of four departments:
Modern slavery support
The Passage was the first homeless charity in the UK to highlight the links between homelessness and modern slavery in London.
Our Modern Slavery Team provides support to potential and confirmed victims of modern slavery and human trafficking who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Westminster, London. Our holistic support includes basic needs, signposting to First Responders, support with NRM referrals, emergency accommodation (depending on availability and suitability), access to health and mental health support and signposting to legal aid.
We work with local authorities, Central Government and a number of other charities to ensure there is a better standard of support for survivors of modern slavery across the country. We are proud to be a part of this change.
Welfare rights and money advice
We support many individuals with guidance and advice to navigate through the provisions of the benefit system.
The choice of a particular benefit claim depends on the employment and health condition of an individual claimant, and it is our duty to make those we support aware of what is available to them.
All benefit claims provided in the social welfare system have a significant impact on the sustainability of an individual’s path to resettlement back in the community.
Our team also support clients with money management, whether it is to set up a bank account, settle debts, arrange payment plans or obtain ID to prove eligibility. This too is an important factor in the sustainability of a person’s resettlement into housing and accommodation.
Qualified immigration
Living with an unresolved immigration status can leave someone with major limitations to housing, public funds and right to work. These are contributing factors in homelessness and can leave people feeling hopeless and without direction.
Our Immigration Solicitor and Qualified Immigration Advisor, alongside our Migrant Development Team support a high proportion of rough sleepers in Westminster.
Our fully Qualified Immigration team provides advice, and can represent clients throughout the immigration process enabling clients to gain legal status where eligible (e.g. Leave to Remain, Indefinite Leave to Remain, Humanitarian Protection…etc) or with Assisted Voluntary Returns. However, the process of regulating a person’s immigration status can take a long time.
Migrant development
Our Migrant Development team is there to help people overcome the barriers faced during this period, securing temporary accommodation for individuals via charities and a network of local host placements.
They are also able to link individuals into healthcare services, as well as other community integration projects such as art, gardening, and religious/spiritual support groups; to help improve the mental and physical wellbeing of those we support.