It's time for another Friends of LASSN newsletter! We hope that everybody is enjoying the lovely, if at times bizarre, weather that spring has given us so far. 2025 has been a really busy year so far - read on below to see what we've been up to and what we've got coming up!

We’ve been working on a resource pack for teachers supporting learners who are completely new to English—and often have limited literacy in their first language too.

Recently, we met with a group of teachers working in this area to share the pack and gather their feedback. Their insights were incredibly helpful, and once we’ve made a few improvements, we’ll be excited to share it more widely!

We are hosting an online skill share on the 11^th of June, 6-7:30pm. Like all our online skill shares this is an excellent opportunity to meet with other teachers and discuss what is working well in lessons and to get advice on anything that has been difficult so far. Feel free to bring and mention any resources that have been useful for you!

If you would like to attend, please register here.

We recently decided to rename our Grace Hosting project to Hosting & Housing. The new name better reflects the project’s purpose for guests, hosts, partner organisations, and funders.

We’ll never forget the legacy behind the name Grace Hosting, and we’re proud that Grace House continues to carry that name and spirit forward.

Now that we’ve updated our referral process, we’re keen to recruit more Cluster Hosts.

A Cluster Host is someone who can offer accommodation to a destitute asylum seeker for a minimum of three weeks, spread out over several months. You’ll share the responsibility of hosting with others in a network of households across Leeds.

If you’re interested in joining a Hosting Cluster—or just want to find out more—please get in touch: jo@lassn.org.uk.

Over the past year, Welcome & Connect has supported more than 50 refugees with one-to-one befriending, weekly Tea & Talk sessions, and loads of practical help with housing, health, English, work, and more.

Thanks to our brilliant volunteers, people have started college, found safer housing, got into volunteering—and some have even landed jobs.

We’ve partnered with PAFRAS, RETAS, Leeds Libraries and others to run creative workshops, digital skills sessions, and day trips that have really boosted people’s confidence and wellbeing.

We’re especially proud to share that Aya—one of the first people to join our Tea & Talk sessions—is now working with Leeds University Libraries on a brilliant new project supporting refugee women.She’s helping a group explore the history of refugees in Yorkshire and the role of sewing and needlecraft in healing from trauma, all through the inspiring legacy of Louise Pesel.(And if you've never heard of Louise Pesel - find out more here)  

If you’re reading this, we already consider you a Friend of LASSN – someone who cares about the work we do, the people we stand alongside, and the difference we’re making together.

Why not take the next step and become a Member of LASSN?

Our Members are people who actively support our mission: to support, empower, and integrate asylum seekers and refugees in Leeds. Membership is open to anyone who wants to get more closely involved – to better understand our work and the wider context we’re working in.

As a Member, you’ll receive more in-depth information about the asylum system, updates on government policy, volunteering opportunities, and other ways to help LASSN achieve its mission – whether that’s through donating, fundraising, or campaigning for positive change.

You’ll also have the chance to vote for our Board of Directors and stay up to date with their discussions and future plans through our regular Members’ Newsletter.

Find out more and sign up here.

LASSN and the Headingley Enterprise and Arts (HEART) Centre are teaming up to host a monthly board gaming night — every last Saturday of the month, 6–10pm, starting 31st May!

Come along, play some games, meet new people — and support two great causes while you’re at it:
 - Donate to LASSN
 - Enjoy tasty food and drinks from HEART

Everyone’s welcome — bring a friend (or a few)!

Got a fundraising idea? We'd love to hear it!

If you have the time and resources, please consider running a fundraiser for LASSN. It could be anything— a ceilidh, a film screening, a bake sale, or something entirely your own.

If you’d like help developing your idea, our Community Fundraising Co-ordinator, Barnaby, is here to support you: barnaby@lassn.org.uk

We know this is a big ask—but in these tough financial times, every bit of support makes a real difference.

Thank you for everything you already do for LASSN.

LASSN PICNIC 2025

Following our wonerful picnic that we held last year, we will be having another LASSN picnic, so save the date! It will be held on Wednesday 23rd July between 11AM-1PM. The venue has yet to be confirmed but we will announce this ASAP! 

Update from Asylum Matters

Huge thanks to Mary from Asylum Matters, who recently ran an online session for us on the latest changes to the asylum system. She also shared updates on key campaigns like Lift the Ban, and how we can get involved. It was a really informative and engaging session for everyone at LASSN.

If you'd like to catch up on the latest advocacy work, reports, parliamentary updates and resources, you can find them here:

Asylum Matters update 9.4.25 – advocacy, campaigns & resources | Migration Partnership

Maybe delete if no other news!

That's all for now! We hope that you keep enjoying these warmer days - and please continue being kind to others, and yourself.

Thank you for all your ongoing support
The LASSN Team