Asylum-seekers
& Refugees

We foster a supportive community of friends across nationalities through weekly gathered activities, such as football, cricket, and dinners. These regular events create a positive shared space for socialising, getting active, and having fun! During the week, we also support young people seeking asylum with cultural and religious access to halal shops, churches, and mosques. At times of celebration, we all come together to join in the festivities, often with lots of food!

Housing is a key element of our support for young people seeking asylum. We welcome each person into a place they can call home, encouraging them to decorate their rooms to their own tastes and explore their local area. These houses, shared with a few other young people, offer comfort and stability throughout what can be a challenging period of asylum claims and settling into the UK. This housing and support mitigates against isolation and empowers young people to take steps towards living independently.

We help each young person to develop their confidence and competence in English. This can involve helping them to enrol in an English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL) course and encouraging consistent positive engagement with college. We also offer additional ESOL gathered classes for those who are not in college or desire extra support, providing an alternative learning environment that is consciously trauma-informed. For those with Leave to Remain, we promote appropriate employment opportunities and further studies, led by each young person’s own aspirations.

Outings to the beach, bowling, climbing, go-karting, and more are a highlight of our work supporting young people seeking asylum. Opportunities for fun, build up beneficial childhood experiences, allowing each young person to find hobbies they love, grow in their skills, and simply enjoy themselves!

To find out more get in touch by emailing engagehub@handcrafted.org.uk.