FAQs

  • The key difference between a refugee and an asylum seeker lies in their legal status and the stage of the process they are in:

    • Refugee: A person who has already been recognised and granted protection under international law due to a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Refugees have been formally recognised by authorities, such as the UNHCR or a specific country, and are legally allowed to remain in the host country.

    • Asylum Seeker: A person who has fled their home country and is seeking protection, but their claim for refugee status has not yet been evaluated or granted. An asylum seeker is waiting for a decision on their claim for protection, and until that decision is made, they do not have the same rights and protections as a recognised refugee.

  • The AARC Hub is located in Aberdeen City Centre. Visits are by appointment only to protect the identities of our service users.

  • We are community led so opening hours sometimes vary based on availability of volunteers. Please contact us by email, web chat or telephone to find out more.

  • We are sometimes open for Donation Drop-offs, but otherwise, visits to the AARC Hub are by appointment only. This is to protect the identities of our service users. If you are a prospective donor or interested in building a partnership with AARC, please get in touch and we will arrange to give you a tour at a mutually convenient time.

  • You can find out more about volunteering opportunities with AARC here.

  • You can find out more about the current donations that we need here.

  • We understand that some people hold this opinion, or similar, and it’s natural for there to be differing views on this issue. We think it’s important to recognise that many people who arrive here by small boats are not doing so because they want to; they do it because they feel that they have no other choice. These individuals often come from war-torn countries, or are fleeing persecution, violence, or unimaginable hardship. They make these extremely dangerous and often fatal journeys because safer and legal routes are either closed to them or out of reach.

    No one willingly risks their life in a small boat across dangerous waters unless they are desperate and have exhausted all other options.

    When we support these people, we aren’t supporting a choice they’ve made—we’re responding to their need for safety, dignity, and a chance to rebuild their lives after experiencing immense suffering. For the volunteers at AARC, it’s about showing compassion for people who have been through the worst and simply want a chance to live in peace.

  • Thank you so much for choosing to learn more about AARC! We’d be thrilled to support your YPI Scotland project.

    To get all the information and resources you need, feel free to contact our team directly at hi@aarc.charity.

    We’re here to help with any questions you have about our work, our mission, or how your project can make a real difference.

    Good luck with your YPI project – we can’t wait to hear from you!