Unity is a volunteer-run organisation which provides support for asylum seekers and sans papiers in Glasgow, Scotland. The Unity Centre has been open since 2006 and is situated in Ibrox, near to the Home Office Immigration Centre.
Contents
Support
Volunteers are involved with a range of activities:
Night shelter
Unity is one of the organisations involved in running Glasgow Destitution Network’s night shelter. The shelter provides temporary emergency accommodation for people who are not entitled to any other shelter or hostel. As of February 2015, the shelter has capacity for 15 male asylum seekers who have had their applications denied.
History
UNITY: the Union of Asylum Seekers was formed in 2005, providing a focus for human rights issues at a time when the UK Government were using dawn raids to instigate deportations. Unity was involved with organising protests against this. The organisation had been involved with notifying when people were detained and sent to Dungavel or other detention centres. They have advocated alternatives to detention, especially where children are involved. They have campaigned against the enforced returns of Somalis.