Board of Deputies president Henry Grunwald has praised the drop-in centre for asylum seekers run by the New North London Synagogue, Finchley, as “a fantastic example of how a local community can make a difference”.

Mr Grunwald visited the centre along with London’s Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, at the behest of Edie Friedman, director of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality, which supports the centre’s work.

Established three years ago, the centre offers food, vouchers, clothing and medical and legal support. Over 100 people refused asylum attend every month and users come from 30 countries, among them Congo, Iraq, Iran and Somalia.