Waterford Integration Services

Being a refugee is not a choice

Our vision is that all newcomer citizens of Waterford and the southeast are resourced to live and integrate in a society where they feel welcome, accepted, fully equal and can make a valuable contribution towards an effective, harmonious society which prides itself of diversity and multiculturalism.

ABOUT US

We provide drop-in facilities for initial frontline services which are then referred to specific areas of assistance or programmes within our organisation or link to other external services.We operate on an interagency/collaborative basis and have 17+ years experience of this work in Waterford.We provide advocacy supports to residents in IPAS (accommodation centres) and we offer remote, online, advocacy and technical supports to others in Counties Kilkenny, Wexford, South Tipperary and Carlow when requested.

We do this through programmes that:

Promote human rights knowledge to access services and supports
Support the development of coordinated interagency responses to education, social needs and intercultural health
Promote and develop awareness amongst the general public of issues affecting migrant groups to aid integration and understanding

Our Mission

Our Mission is to support the human rights and well-being of Refugees and persons seeking protection in Waterford and the Southeast.We exist to empower these people to become integrated in society through self-representation, Advocacy, Citizenship, Employment, Social Enterprise, Participation, Opportunity and Learning.

About events

Who We Assist

We have served over 5,000 Refugees, Asylum Seekers and other Migrants in the southeast since our establishment in 2006.

Refugees

A Refugee is a person who meets the eligibility criteria under the applicable refugee definition, as provided by international or regional refugee instruments, under the UNHCR mandate and/or in National legislation. Any person who is persecuted as a result of political unrest, war, religious affiliation, reasons of race, environmental disasters or human trafficking, is outside the country of nationality and is unable to avail of the protection of that country or unwilling to return to it is considered a Refugee.

Asylum Seekers

An Asylum Seeker is an individual who has crossed an international border and is seeking international protection. In countries with individualised procedures, an Asylum Seeker is someone whose claim for asylum has not yet been finally decided by the country in which he or she has submitted it. Not every Asylum Seeker will ultimately be recognised as a Refugee, but every Refugee is initially an Asylum Seeker. They do not have permissions to work in the country of refuge until they have received full Refugee status.

Migrants

There is no internationally recognised definition of Migrants. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ policy on migration describes Migrants as people who leave or flee their places of habitual residence to go to a new place, across international borders or within their own state, to seek better or safer perspectives. Migration can be forced or voluntary, although Asylum Seekers and Refugees often travel alongside Migrants in ‘mixed flows’, they have specific needs and are protected by a specific legal framework.

Our Services

Provide Information, Advice and Advocacy Clinics

Delivered in partnership with HSE Social Inclusion Southeast through engagement with Community Knowledge Healthcare Workers who provide peer supports, information and access to mainstream health services.

Health Promotion
Mental Health Awareness
Sexual Health Promotion
Gender based Health
FGM & Male GM
HIV/AIDS
Health & Human Rights
Regional Human Trafficking Supports
Intercultural Health Awareness & Training

Education, Training & Employment

Supports include access to basic skills such as English Language Learning through a range of levels to increase opportunity to engage in employment and integration opportunities.

Peer led Education Programmes (Accredited & Non-accredited)
Enterprise based Programmes
Employment based Programmes
Health based Programmes (accredited)
IT Skills
Training Initiatives
Employment Progression
Volunteering Opportunities
Migrant Volunteer Bureau Programme (MVBP)
Social Enterprise Opportunities

International Youth Programmes

Since 2013 we have been engaged in providing supports for Roma communities under our Vulnerable Immigrants banner in association with HSE Social Inclusion Southeast & Waterford Roma Interagency Group.