Life here is totally different from mine before. Here I was surrounded by informational and social vacuum. What's more I was responsible for my 7 year old son, I had to help him to integrate, to start a new life, but I was not able to do it as I was helpless, alone, desperate on my own… I needed HELP.

Kath [a LASSN volunteer] arrived in my life like an angel to rescue me. It's amazing but my life changed completely… I knew that whatever the problem Kath was coming on Tuesday. I can say it's hard with my English but I knew that Kath understood me by her heart rather than by mind. I didn't feel alone and separated any more. All my troubles and wins Kath lived as her own.

Most of all I want to thank Kath for the self confidence she helped me gain. She believed in me and passed it to me myself. She encouraged me to fight, to face and solve problems and achieve victory.

Thanks to LASSN for the efforts of making immigrant's life easier.

Yana and Pavel

Beneficiaries (Apr 2007 - Mar 2008)

· 394 ShortStop guests

· 112 Befriended asylum seekers and refugees

· 45 English at Home learners

· 132 Destitute asylum seekers supported through our Hardship Fund payments

· 24 refugee community organisations assisted through the Leeds Refugee Forum

· 1 Community Centre opened for refugee community organisations with 281 people through the door in just one month

TOTAL 683 people and 24 refugee community organisations directly supported by LASSN

· 1,000 plus enquiries for general advice & information

· 700 newsletters circulated

· Directory of Services in Leeds for Refugees and Asylum Seekers revised and updated

· 15 talks, seminars and training sessions

Volunteers

· 190 volunteers worked as LASSN hosts, befrienders, tutors and mentors.