Many people seeking asylum have experienced significant trauma in their country of origin. Their flight from their home is often very hazardous and fraught with danger and the fear of discovery.

Psychosocial support is necessary for many asylum seekers to start rebuilding their lives and to restore their confidence. Unfortunately the policies of Direct Provision and Dispersal can have an adverse impact on the mental health of persons seeking asylum. This is exacerbated by the fact that asylum seekers have no right to work.
 
JRS Ireland organises short programmes and training courses aimed at restoring the confidence of asylum seekers, alleviating the boredom in the hostels and tackling the isolation they often experience
 
Programmes in the past have included:

• Positive Parenting
• Personal Development
• Pilates & Yoga
  
• Intercultural Communication
• Football
• Sewing Classes
• Film Club
• Basketball

Homework Club
Many children of asylum seekers perform well in school however those living in Direct Provision can face additional and unique obstacles.  Since one family shares a room, there is often little space to do homework and usually no desk to do it on.  While some families are highly educated, others are not and some parents with low literacy skills cannot assist children with their homework.  If English is not the first language of the child they will need extra support to catch up and keep up with their classmates.  In primary school in Ireland there is a lot of emphasis on the Irish language which can be difficult for those still learning English.  For these reasons JRS runs a Homework Club in a Direct Provision centre in Dublin to assist and support the primary school children who live there.  

The Homework Club, which is in its third year, runs two afternoons a week from 3:30 to 5 o’clock.  A group of volunteers, supervised by a JRS staff member, help children  with their homework and afterwards they play games together.  Usually 15 to 20 children attend the Homework Club. At the end of each term the group go on an outing together, usually to the cinema, bowling or ice skating.  We welcome anyone interested in volunteering for the Homework Club.  Please contact Elizabeth O'Rourke ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) for more information.