Penrith and Eden Refugee Network(PERN) is a registered charity established in 2017 in response to the arrival of Syrian refugees under the UK Home Office Resettlement Scheme. Operating across Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness, PERN supports asylum seekers and refugees in a region with historically limited access to immigration advice services.
Recognizing a critical gap in legal and information support, PERN launched its dedicated advice service, PERN Legal and Info, in 2022. Since then, it has become the only organisation in the area accredited to provide regulated immigration and asylum advice, holding IAA Level 3 accreditation in both Asylum and Protection and Immigration.
The Challenge
Before PERN Legal and Info was established, asylum seekers in the region faced significant barriers to accessing quality legal advice. Many individuals struggled to present coherent and well-evidenced claims, received refusals before ever speaking to a legal adviser and were dropped by legal aid solicitors following negative merits assessments.
Additionally, the rural geography of the region meant limited access to specialist services. The demand for advice quickly outstripped capacity.
Service Model and Innovation
To respond effectively, PERN developed a targeted service model combining direct legal advice with capacity-building initiatives. Recognizing that a large proportion of PERN’s clients were at the appeal stage, PERN began to work intensively with individuals to develop the merits of the case. This required analyzing refusal decisions identifying errors in Home Office reasoning, gathering new supporting evidence and developing structured appeal arguments with a view to strengthening cases for referral to legal aid solicitors. Where referral was not possible, PERN’s in-house advisers took cases forward which also serves as a practical training ground for new advisers.
In addition, PERN’s analysis of cases highlighted an increase in Home Office refusals in asylum cases. To reduce avoidable refusals, PERN provides early-stage support by helping clients build accurate timelines, prepares them for asylum interviews and ensures documentary evidence is complete. This proactive approach at the start of the process improves the quality of initial applications and reduces downstream legal challenges.
James Adamson, PERN’s Legal Adviser and Centre Manager notes that 'There is a lot that we can do to help people put in their best case for asylum to the Home Office.'
Adviser Training and Scholarships
A key pillar of PERN’s strategy has been investing in new advisers. Through ring-fenced funding, PERN offers IAA training scholarships and runs regular study groups, supported by sector resources such as Refugee Action and FIAP. This creates a sustainable pipeline of qualified advisers.
Expansion of the Advice Service
PERN’s most significant achievementhas been the rapid expansion of its advice capacity.
This growth represents a major scaling of local legal capacity within a short period. The combination of training, supervision, and hands-on casework has enabled PERN to expand without compromising quality. James highlights that 'Getting to know people seeking asylum, learning together, and being part of a supportive team is rewarding.'
Impact
The expansion of PERN’s adviceservice has led to several key outcomes:
- Increased access to legal advice: More asylum seekers can now receive timely and regulated support within their local area.
- Stronger asylum cases: Improved preparation and merits development increase the likelihood of successful outcomes.
- Work force development: A growing cohort of trained advisers strengthens the long-term sustainability of the service.
- Building referral pathways: Partnerships with legal aid providers has ensured continuity of representation.
PERN’s experience demonstrates how a small, community-rooted organizations can successfully expand a specialist legal advice service in an underserved area. By prioritizing training, focusing on key pressure points in the asylum system, and building internal capacity, PERN has transformed access to immigration advice across its region. Its model offers a practical example for other organizations seeking to grow advice services sustainably while maintaining quality and impact.
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