100 languages – One voice

Hammersmith and Fulham Refugee Forum (HFRF) exists to represent, support and advise one of the most diverse refugee populations in London

With nearly 30 refugee community groups in membership HFRF works tirelessly to help them develop their organisations, obtain expert advice, source funding, work with local and national government and other public bodies and get a fair deal from the media.

Established in 2000, HFRF was the first Refugee Forum in the capital and is widely acknowledged as the most pro-active and effective. Our work, which includes tackling such pressing issues as asylum destitution and provision of adequate English tuition, is praised by the local council, the Police and the health service.

A full programme of events includes regular Open Forum meetings where Refugee Community Organisations (RCOs) can meet with prospective funders, senior local councillors, MPs and journalists.

We also run regular training sessions providing updates on asylum legislation, advice on working with volunteers, gaining IT skills, and other capacity building guidance.

We organise lively annual events to mark Refugee Week and are also prominent in other local commemorations such as London Peace Week and World AIDS Day. We have strong contacts with the local Primary Care Trust, the Police, the borough’s BME Network and the widely-acclaimed Hammersmith and Fulham Community Law Centre with its impressive record of winning asylum cases at the Court of Appeal.

Commenting on the work of the Refugee Forum Councillor Antony Lillis, Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s cabinet member for children and community services says:

“Nothing is better than experience on the ground; working with people in the various refugee communities. This is where the Refugee Forum is very important.”

Borough Police Commander Chief Superintendent Heather Valentine says:

“Police officers at Hammersmith and Fulham have a long tradition of working together with our Refugee Forum for the benefit of all people in the community … I am very proud that our work with the Forum has gone from strength to strength.”