Nasc’s Connect Project helps young people ages 14-23 years with issues like accessing education, employment, improving their mental health and wellbeing and getting a secure immigration status. We support young asylum seekers living in direct provision and young people in Care and Aftercare services.
This service offers practical advice, advocacy and support for young asylum seekers, refugees and migrants from non-EU countries. We provide step-by-step information and support with immigration applications, assistance in accessing education, employment, health services and accommodation, as well as support with integration and dealing with racism and discrimination. Besides helping young people to understand and navigate immigration issues, we also help them to combat isolation to become more connected with their communities, access and stay in education and improve their mental health and wellbeing. We also regularly support these young people to overcome homelessness, destitution or abuse.
The project started in 2018 and since then it's been growing from strength to strength. In 2020 we supported 95 young people and their families.
Who is this service available to?
- Young people in Care and Aftercare services (aged 14-23 years)
- Young people in Direct Provision (aged 14-23 years)
- ‘Aged out’ or ‘age-disputed’ young people
This year we saw a greater uptake to our service this year via self-referrals, word of mouth recommendations and referrals from social, community and health workers. This means that more young people are getting the help they need, through accessing specialist support that takes their immigration needs into account, leading to more positive outcomes.
For more information, please contact Nasc's Connect Project Social Worker Susan Mackey at susan@nascireland.org or (021) 427 3594.
