Starting a new life, whether as a refugee or moving to a new city, is difficult and lonely. Finding housing and managing finances can be overwhelming. However, there are local organizations in Reading, UK that provide advice and assistance to make the transition easier, such as helping with renting accommodations, applying for housing benefits, managing debt, and adapting homes for disabilities. The Reading Advice Network website acts as a central hub to connect people to these various advisory services for refugees and others new to Reading.

1. It’s never easy starting a new
life

2. It’s never easy starting a new life
I don’t think there is a person alive that
hasn’t been moved in some way by the plight
of the refugees, making a desperate bid to find
a safe haven, somewhere to escape the awful
ravages of conflict. It made me reflect on
anyone that has to build a new life in a new
country or even a new city, somewhere where
everyone is a stranger. Just getting on your
feet feels overwhelming and let’s face it,
rather lonely.

3. It’s never easy starting a new life
– I rather think this excerpt from Nina Simon’s poem, “Refuge” sums it up
well:
– On an airless summer evening I sit in the garden
– remembering how we came with
– nothing but the clothes we wore
– to an unfamiliar address
– scrawled on well-thumbed paper
– dreaming of safety, a city paved
– in freedom.

4. It’s never easy starting a new life
– Reading Advice Network http://www.readingadvicenetwork.org.uk/about/
was set up a year ago to ensure that the people of Reading that needed
advice, could look at one website to find links and information to point
them in the right direction. We know that a service like ours is invaluable
to anyone new to Reading.
– We thought we would find a few valued bits of advice for anyone that is
new to Reading, wondering where to start and where to find a service that
can help or point you in the right direction.
– Let’s start with housing, how do you find somewhere live?
– Of course some people will happily go down the route of talking property
rental companies. But more often than not it’s tough getting started when
you first arrive and you may need some advice or a helping hand.

5. It’s never easy starting a new life
– When it comes to renting accommodation here are a few basics:
– If you’re under 18, the law says you aren’t allowed to hold a tenancy.
(However, there are a few ways that a landlord can work around this, like
giving a joint tenancy if a joint tenant is aged 18 or over.
– As an alternative, you could sign an agreement with a landlord for a
licence, which is different from a tenancy. Holding a licence means that
you have the landlord’s personal permission, rather than a legal right, to
stay in the accommodation. You could then be granted a tenancy when you
turn 18.
– There are housing benefits that have some terms and conditions, but may
be worth exploring. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/finding-a-
place-to-live/young-people-and-housing/
– There is help available for you if you need accommodation to be adapted
for a disability https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/discrimination-
in-housing/what-are-the-different-types-of-discrimination-in-
housing/discrimination-in-housing-adaptations-to-your-home/

6. It’s never easy starting a new life
– Reading CAB have created a housing Fact sheet –
it’s easy to read, print and is kept updated:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/housing-
fact-sheets/
– Dealing with Debt and getting advice on money
management.
– If, and they often are, pennies are tight when you
move, its best to talk to someone that can help you
plan a budget, helping you stay out of or repay
debt.

7. It’s never easy starting a new life
– We suggest you try these local advisory services that have fantastic and
talented volunteers:
– I am in a debt crisis, getting nasty letters and need help.
– Frontline may be the first place for you to turn, here’s a video talking
about how they can help you with your debt http://buff.ly/1E0ygxx
– I need help to stay in my present accommodation:
– Reading Community Welfare Rights Unit –
http://www.readingcommunitywelfarerightsunit.co.uk/housing-advice/
– Citizens Advice Reading –
http://www.readingadvicenetwork.org.uk/category/housing/discrimination
-in-housing/

8. It’s never easy starting a new life
– Always a safe pair of hands is your local Citizens Advice and the
busy Reading branch has a team of skilled volunteers:
– “We aim to see every client that visits us. We will talk with you to
find out why you have come to see us and then decide with you
what should happen next. We are often able to help immediately by
providing leaflets, directing you to online advice or giving the
details of other organisations that are better placed to help you.“
– If you have arrived from another country as a refugee, we thought
you may enjoy reading this heart-warming story from Chipo from
Zimababwe http://rrsg.org.uk/case-study-03
– We have a range of advice services attached to Reading and you
can find the full list here http://www.readingadvicenetwork.org.uk/

9. It’s never easy starting a new life

10. It’s never easy starting a new life
– We know moving, whether it’s forced or voluntary
can be a tough time and settling in is hard. But if
you need a helping hand Reading Advice Network
could be of service, even if you don’t need what we
offer, you may have a skill that you could offer as a
volunteer, another way to start feeling part of your
new town and your community.
– You can also find us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ReadingAdviceNetwork
and on Twitter @ReadingRAN