IAA IMMIGRATION ADVICE

The Derby Bosnia Herzegovina Community Association is authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority to provide Level 1 immigration advice. The type of applications we do include Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), British citizenship, travel documents, spouse visas, visa extensions, fee waiver, status in line applications, registration as a British citizen, and more. For more information and advice please contact us.

ADVICE

We are dedicated to supporting and empowering asylum seekers and refugees as they navigate their new lives. We provide free advice sessions twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, led by our passionate and trained volunteers. These sessions are designed to offer personalized support, address questions, and connect individuals to resources that can help with housing, legal matters, employment, education, and more.

Our work is carried out in close collaboration with the Derby Refugee Forum. Together, we strive to ensure that every client receives comprehensive support and advice, always prioritizing their best interests. By pooling our expertise and resources, we aim to create a welcoming environment and provide meaningful solutions to the challenges our clients face. Our friendly and knowledgeable volunteers are here to listen and provide personalized support, ensuring that no one feels alone on their journey. Whether you have questions or simply need a listening ear, we’re here to help.  For more information and advice please contact us.

DROP-IN SUPPORT SESSIONS

Our drop-in sessions provide a welcoming and accessible service for asylum seekers and refugees who need advice, information or practical support with issues affecting their lives.

Every Tuesday and Thursday, asylum seekers and refugees can drop in without an appointment to talk to our team. Housing and homelessness are among the most common issues we support people with, alongside benefits and welfare, immigration, employment, debt and financial difficulties, access to services, health and wellbeing, and other practical challenges.

We take the time to listen to each person’s situation, provide information and guidance, and where necessary help them access specialist services or make appropriate referrals.

Our drop-in sessions provide a friendly and safe first point of contact for asylum seekers and refugees who may not know where to turn. Whether someone is facing a housing problem, struggling financially, seeking immigration advice, or simply needs help finding the right support, we are here to listen and help them take the next step.

Community Integration and Inclusion
Workshops

COMMUNITY INTEGRATION AND INCLUSION

Integration and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do. We support asylum seekers and refugees to build confidence, develop new skills and become active members of their communities.

We provide a welcoming space where people can learn, connect with others and access opportunities that help them move forward. Through our partnerships and community activities, we respond to a wide range of needs and provide practical support that helps people feel more settled, independent and connected.

Every week, we host workshops covering a wide range of topics and practical skills. These sessions provide opportunities to learn, share experiences and build confidence, while creating valuable connections within the wider community.

We also support people to improve their employment prospects through free courses, training and skills development. Our employability support helps participants gain valuable knowledge and qualifications, while one-to-one CV sessions provide personalised guidance to help people recognise and present their skills, experience and strengths to potential employers.

Through all of this work, we aim to create opportunities for people to participate, contribute and build a positive future for themselves and their families.

Whether it’s through language and employability training, health awareness programs, storytelling and cultural initiatives, or access to essential resources, we work hand-in-hand with our partners to ensure our clients receive the comprehensive support they need to thrive in their new environment.

 For more information, advice, or to explore our events, please check our calendar or get in touch with us.

Classes

ENGLISH CLASSES

We offer a variety of English classes tailored to meet the diverse needs of asylum seekers and refugees. These classes are designed to help participants improve their language skills and build the confidence needed for daily life and future opportunities.

Among our offerings is an ESOL Employability Class, funded through one of our projects supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). This class is aimed primarily at refugees seeking to enter the workforce, providing them with language skills and practical preparation for employment.

In addition to the ESOL class, we run other English classes to suit varying skill levels. These include Beginners English on Mondays, Improvers English on Tuesdays, and Conversational English on Thursdays.

For more information or advice, please contact us. Alternatively, check our calendar for class times and dates.

OUTREACH SERVICES
If you are from Former Yugoslavia, elderly or disabled and have a problem with mobility related to physical or mental problems, live in Derby, Nottingham or Leicester and if you need help and assistance with:

  • arranging appointments with GP or hospital
  • link with social services
  • need a “listening ear”, explain or translate letters and bills
  • translate letter from school and nursery
  • explain about school governors, or assist with parent’s meetings
  • arrange support for home school liaison

Please contact us at info@bosniancentre.org. Alternatively, you can call us at 01332 294436.

Community Outreach
Bosnian School

SUPPLEMENTARY SCHOOL

 Every Saturday during term time, we run a vibrant supplementary school for children from Bosnia and the former Yugoslavia. Sessions take place from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and are delivered in the Bosnian language.

Our classes provide children aged 5 to 15 with a wonderful opportunity to learn about and celebrate Bosnian culture, history, heritage, and traditions. The curriculum includes engaging lessons on traditional music, folklore, literature, and significant historical events. We also emphasize cultural identity, fostering pride in their roots while supporting integration into the wider community.

For more information or to enrol your child, please visit us in person or email info@bosniancentre.org. Enrolment is open at any time throughout the school year. We look forward to welcoming you!