Cripplegate Ltd is the registered trustee of Cripplegate Foundation
Registered Charity 207499 Cripplegate Foundation Limited
Registered in England and Wales, Company Number 6129936 © 2021 Cripplegate Foundation
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Say It Loud Club is the community of LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. Founded in 1994 by Aloysius Ssali, one of the first individuals to obtain refugee status in the UK on grounds of sexual orientation, Say It Loud Club is a member-led organisation deeply rooted in lived experience. Led by a small staff team, the charity’s support network, including volunteer ambassadors, provides outreach, educational workshops, social events, peer support, detention centre visits and food vouchers to members, as well as advocacy campaigning to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers.
Learn more about Aloysius’ story and the origins of Say It Loud Club as campaign for LGBTQ+ rights at his University Uganda in this Channel 4 interview.
For many, navigating the asylum system is a daunting process filled with legal, housing, healthcare, and financial challenges. Without support, many individuals would likely fall through the cracks of the system. Say It Loud Club’s trauma-informed approach and tailored support are crucial in helping people understand their rights, build connections and transition into the community.
“We’re not just numbers, we’re people with dreams and aspirations, having a community gives us hope. We’ve come here because of the challenges that have brough us here. If we stand united we can make a difference. Giving up is not an option these things take time. But it does get better with time.”
The numbers:
Thelma, Say It Loud Operations Manager, has lived experience of the issues Say it Loud Club is addressing and is passionate about the organisation, where she has been working for 10 years.
“When you arrive in the UK, you’re deemed an illegal immigrant and detained. That’s the start of a lengthy process to be granted refugee status by the Home Office – and until that happens, you can’t rent, access education, open a bank account, or get a job officially. Only 1 in 4 people who apply for asylum on the basis of their sexuality are granted status in this country often because they don’t have the legal representation to build their claim successfully.
Even when you have your Legalised Refugee Status confirmed – and that can take around 5 years – to rent privately or get social housing you have to have lived here a certain time or be able to show you’ve been working. It’s a Catch-22 situation. How can you show you’ve been working if you haven’t been able to get a job? Or show you’ve been here without any records? Because of this, people both with and without their official papers end up living in shared accommodation, potentially with other refugees, or with friends of friends. Rough sleeping is a huge challenge, and unfortunately we are only seeing people struggling further with the rises in the cost of living. ”
“We’re not just numbers, we’re people with dreams and aspirations, having a community gives us hope. We’ve come here because of the challenges that have brough us here. If we stand united we can make a difference. Giving up is not an option these things take time. But it does get better with time.
“Having a funder like Cripplegate Foundation has had a huge impact in terms of being able to provide holistic support to our members. The team have really looked after us – it makes a real difference knowing the people behind the funding personally, and having opportunities to come together and meet other groups.”
Housing advice and advocacy are just two of the areas Say It Loud Club provide support. Thanks to a recent grant from Cripplegate Foundation they have been able to increase capacity and expand operations to provide support to more people. The grant has also supported their Ambassador Training programme and provided direct financial assistance to around 30 members.
“Having a funder like Cripplegate Foundation has had a huge impact in terms of being able to provide holistic support to our members. The team have really looked after us – it makes a real difference knowing the people behind the funding personally, and having opportunities to come together and meet other groups.”
This Small Charity Week, Islington Giving and our parent charity Cripplegate Foundation, will be sharing stories of the incredible small charities we work with in Islington. We invite you to get involved and show your love for small charities this week and beyond.
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Cripplegate Ltd is the registered trustee of Cripplegate Foundation
Registered Charity 207499 Cripplegate Foundation Limited
Registered in England and Wales, Company Number 6129936 © 2021 Cripplegate Foundation
Cripplegate Ltd is the registered trustee of Cripplegate Foundation
Registered Charity 207499 Cripplegate Foundation Limited
Registered in England and Wales, Company Number 6129936 © 2023 Cripplegate Foundation