admin@ccacp.org.uk 0113 8245829

Welcome To Meeting Point Leeds

Practical and emotional support for refugees and asylum seekers

Latest News

📢 English Class

English classes will begin on 12 January 2026.

📢 Drop-In on Mondays

Our Monday drop-in is thriving.

💼 Digital Lab on Mondays

If you need help finding any online support, our volunteer in the digital lab can help you.

🔔 Wednesday Group

The Wednesday Group will restart on 14th January 2026.

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About Us

About Us

Meeting Point started in February 2003 and works with Refugees and Asylum Seekers; we are based at Christ Church in Armley, Leeds.

Meeting Point aims to serve the needs of Refugees and Asylum Seekers regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, ability, or legal status. We work towards social integration and collaborate with organisations to provide support in health, employment, advice, family support, and food provision. Our mission also includes breaking down barriers and reducing negative stereotypes in the local community.

Our Services

Drop-In — Mondays 2:15pm – 5:00pm @ Christ Church

Our drop-in is a friendly and safe place where everyone is welcome. We make sure our space is clean and follow any COVID-19 safety rules if needed.

We provide free hot meals and drinks for everyone who visits. If you need food to take home, we offer fresh and dried food parcels. Our nearly new shop has clothes and household items at very low prices.

If you need help with problems like housing, benefits, or other issues, we offer private and confidential support. You can also use our computers and the internet for free to look for jobs, send emails, or connect with family and friends.

Our drop-in is a place to meet people and have friendly conversations. We also have fun activities, and children can enjoy arts and crafts. We want to support you and make sure you feel welcome and valued.

Wednesday Activity — Wednesdays 12:15pm–2:15pm @ Christ Church

Wednesday activity offers a range of activities including knitting, sewing, cooking, arts and crafts, singing, computer use, outings and more. We provide a holistic space to improve women's well-being, build self-confidence and self-esteem, and develop new skills.

It is open to all refugee and asylum-seeking women and children who attend Meeting Point. It is advised that women register with the project on a Monday in order to book onto the group.

Please email Carolyn.b@ccacp.org.uk for further information.

English Classes — Mondays 1:00–2:00pm and Wednesdays 10:15am–11:45am @ Christ Church

English classes are free and are run by our trained volunteers. No referral is needed but you do need to be registered with Meeting Point to attend.

Please email asiyeh.s@ccacp.org.uk for more information.

Volunteering

We offer various volunteering opportunities. If you are interested in volunteering for Meeting Point, please Click here

Job Opportunities

At the moment, we do not currently have any job opportunities available.

More Info

Definitions

An Asylum Seeker is someone who is waiting for the government to decide if they can stay and receive status as a refugee.

A Refugee is a person who is recognised by the government as having a fear of being persecuted in their country for reasons of Race, Religion, Nationality, Membership of a particular group, or Political Opinion.

Different types of refugee status:

  • Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — case resolution
  • Exceptional Leave to Remain/Enter (ELR)
  • Humanitarian Protection (HP) — usually 3 years
  • Discretionary Leave (DL) — if case will breach Article 8 of European Convention on Human Rights, or he/she has a serious medical condition
  • Unaccompanied Minor Discretionary Leave
  • Case Resolution

Refugees can apply for British Citizenship after 5 years.

Governance

Meeting Point was previously a project of Leeds Christian Community Trust (LCCT), up until December 2010. We transferred governance to Christ Church Armley Community Projects (CCACP) on 1st January 2011. Meeting Point was one of the social projects of CCACP, along with Christ Church Armley Youth Project (CCAYP) until the Youth Project ceased its operation at the end of 2016. The CCACP board oversees strategic vision and development and includes beneficiary, volunteer and staff representatives as well as CCACP board members.

CCACP was formed as a company limited by guarantee (06864933) on 31st March 2009. It became a registered charity (1137501) on 16th August 2010.

Useful Links

  • Abigail Housing — www.abigailhousing.org.uk
    A project dedicated to providing housing to people made homeless at the end of the asylum process.
  • City of Sanctuary – Leeds — leeds.cityofsanctuary.org
    A movement committed to making our city a haven for anyone who needs its protection.
  • LASSN — www.lassn.org.uk
    Leeds Asylum Seekers' Support Network providing befriending, English tuition and support.
  • Manuel Bravo Project — www.manuelbravo.org.uk
    Helps asylum seekers who are unable to find adequate legal representation.
  • PAFRAS — www.pafras.org.uk
    Provides humanitarian support for asylum seekers who are homeless, without food or money.
  • Refugee Council Leeds — www.refugeecouncil.org.uk
    Yorkshire & Humberside One Stop Service providing advice and information to Refugees and Asylum Seekers.
  • RETAS — retasleeds.org.uk
    Supports refugees and asylum seekers in education, employment, requalification and integration.
  • Skyline — www.leedsskyline.org.uk
    Provides support services for anyone in Leeds living with or affected by HIV.
  • Solace — www.solace-uk.org.uk
    Provides psychotherapy, complementary therapies and advocacy support to survivors of persecution.

Meet Our Team

Phil Arnold

Phil Arnold

Co-Chair of Trustees

Phil Arnold

Helen Radelaar

Helen Radelaar

Co-Chair of Trustees

I have had the pleasure of volunteering at Meeting Point for nearly ten years and have been a member of the Board for almost as long. I am currently co-Chairing and proud to see Meeting Point building on its strengths as a safe haven for refugees and asylum seekers, providing crucial support, advice and empowerment. I grew up in different countries travelling with my Dutch parents-Egypt, Iran, America, Czechoslovakia, France and Holland. I came to England to study and never really left. My working life was in NHS mental health services. I now enjoy a comfortable retired life walking with my dog and spending time with friends and my daughter.

Steve Appleton
Steve Appleton
Treasurer

I am one of the founder members of the charity and was chair for nearly 14 years stepping down in September 2025 although I'm now the treasurer. I'm retired and enjoy walking and reading and looking after grandchildren.

Joyce Le Masurier
Joyce Le Masurier
Trustee

I was Head's Secretary in a Boarding School before retirement. I have been a volunteer at Meeting Point since its inception some 25 years ago, sharing in Management Committees, staff interview panels, Board involvement and practical volunteering at the drop-in sessions over the years.

Philip Le Masurier
Philip Le Masurier
Trustee

I worked in the electronic industry for 37 years and volunteered with the Christian retail book trade for 30 years. I moved from the Isle of Wight to Leeds 18 years ago after my marriage to Joyce. My motivation for volunteering at Meeting Point is driven by my personal Christian faith.

Ann Weir
Ann Weir
Trustee

Drawing on a long career in education and pastoral care, I serve as a Meeting Point Board member, mentor to its Project Manager, and Lay Leader of the Farsi Community at St. George’s. My passion for supporting others continues through roles as a KidzKlub Trustee, School Governor, and mentor to local ministry leaders.

Anne McCaffrey
Anne McCaffrey
Trustee

I've volunteered at Meeting Point for over 15 years. With backgrounds in Speech and Language Therapy and primary school teaching, I've always loved working with families where English isn't the first language. After retiring in 2020, I gained a CELTA qualification and have been teaching English at Meeting Point every Monday since. It's hugely rewarding watching students' confidence grow week by week.

Laurence Dilworth
Laurence Dilworth
Trustee

Laurence Dilworth

Alesya Moisenko
Alesya Moisenko
Volunteers' Representative

Alesya Moisenko

Linda Margaret Petty
Linda Petty
Volunteers' Representative

Linda Petty

Monica Salanje
Monica Salanje
Beneficiaries' Representative

I am happy to be here. We are a safe and supportive community, looking out for one another since 2017. I began volunteering, but we had to pause during Covid. We returned in 2023, and I am here to stay!

Meysam Aliabbasi
Meysam Aliabbasi
Beneficiaries' Representative

Meysam Aliabbasi

Asiyeh Shafiei Soork

Asiyeh Shafiei Soork

Project Manager

I have been living in the UK for the past seven years. I began my journey here by volunteering with several charities while studying psychology, building on my experience as a psychologist in my home country. In 2022, I started my first role in the UK as an Adviser at RETAS, supporting refugees and asylum seekers. In 2024, I joined Meeting Point as Project Manager, where I am passionate about creating welcoming spaces and supporting people to build connections within their communities. Outside of work, I enjoy practising and teaching yoga, spending time in nature, and watching the sunrise.

Carolyn Burke

Carolyn Burke

Project Worker

Carolyn has worked alongside refugees and people seeking asylum since 2011, supporting people to build skills, confidence and connections through education, employment and community-based programmes. She is passionate about helping people build on their strengths, develop new skills and pursue their aspirations. At Meeting Point, Carolyn supports the Wednesday Group, creating opportunities for learning, friendship and participation, while helping people connect with the wider services, opportunities and communities that can support them to thrive.

Claire Hunt

Claire Hunt

Administrator

Claire Hunt

Contact Us

Location

Christ Church, Armley Ridge Road, Leeds LS12 3LE, UK

Postal Address: Meeting Point, 81 Blue Hill Lane, Leeds, LS12 4NT

Call Us

+44 113 8245829

Email Us

admin@ccacp.org.uk

Our Funders

AFA Community Fund
Postcode Neighbourhood Trust
The Brelms Trust
Allen Lane Foundation
Garfield Foundation
Wharfedale Foundation
Charles and Elsie Sykes Trust

Our Partners

Migrant Help
Advonet
Standing Tall
Baby Bank
Better Leeds
Red Cross
Migrant Partnership
LASSN