Referral Policy

The Afiyya Foundation is a volunteer-run charity based in Lye, serving individuals and families across Lye and the Dudley Borough and nearby areas who are struggling to meet essential needs.

We provide food and hygiene packs as practical relief for people facing hardship, helping to ease immediate pressures while connecting them with wider community support.

This policy sets out how referrals are made, who can refer, and how we protect both those receiving help and those delivering it. It ensures that support is distributed fairly, safely, and in line with our safeguarding principles.

Referrals must come from recognised professionals or approved partner organisations, such as:

• Schools (teachers, pastoral staff, or family support teams)
• Social services or local authority staff
• Housing associations or support services
• Community centres or charities
• Health services (GPs, health visitors, or community nurses)
• Other registered organisations that support families in need

We do not accept self-referrals or direct public requests for support. This helps ensure that our resources reach people most in need and are allocated fairly and safely.

Professionals or partner organisations can refer someone by:

• Completing our online referral form (preferred method)
• BeneficiaryEmailing us at support@afiyya.org.uk with the relevant details

Information required:

• Name and contact details of the person making the referral (for verification and communication)
• Basic details about the individual or family in need (name, address, household size, dietary requirements if known)
• Reason for referral and any urgent needs
• Consent confirmation (if applicable)

Once a referral is received:

• We review it within 1-2 working days
• We may contact the referrer to clarify details if needed
• If approved, we arrange delivery through our volunteer team
• The referrer is notified when support has been delivered

We aim to respond as quickly as possible, especially for urgent or high-priority cases.

The Afiyya Foundation provides:

• Food packs – containing essential non-perishable items (e.g. rice, pasta, tinned goods, cereal, milk)
• Hygiene packs – including soap, shampoo, toothpaste, sanitary products, and other essentials

Packs are designed to meet general household needs but can be adapted for dietary requirements (e.g. halal, vegetarian, allergy-friendly) where possible.

Our support is available to individuals or families across Lye and the Dudley Borough and nearby areas who are:

• Experiencing temporary financial hardship
• Unable to meet basic food or hygiene needs
• In urgent or crisis situations
• Referred through a verified partner or professional

We aim to support people quickly and fairly. Referrals are assessed on a case-by-case basis and prioritised according to need.

Support is typically provided as a one-off intervention to help people during a crisis period. In some cases, repeat referrals may be considered if circumstances remain difficult — but this will be reviewed with the referring organisation.

The Afiyya Foundation is not designed to replace ongoing statutory support, housing services, or welfare benefits. We encourage referrers to connect individuals with longer-term services where appropriate.

All referrals and deliveries are managed in line with our Safeguarding Policy.

This includes:

• DBS-checked volunteers where necessary
• Safe delivery practices (no unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults)
• Reporting procedures if concerns arise

If we have any concerns about someone's safety or wellbeing during the referral or delivery process, we will contact the referrer or relevant authorities where appropriate.

All referral information is kept confidential and used only for the purpose of providing support. We do not share personal details with third parties unless required by law or for safeguarding purposes.

Full details are available in our Privacy Policy.

We reserve the right to decline or defer referrals where:

• The referral does not come from an approved organisation
• Information is incomplete or unclear
• The request falls outside our geographical area or service scope
• There are capacity constraints (e.g. high demand, limited stock)

In these cases, we will explain the decision to the referrer and, where possible, signpost to alternative support.

For queries about this policy or to discuss a referral, please contact:

BeneficiaryEmail: support@afiyya.org.uk