Support & Tools for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in London
Below are a list of charities and groups that support refugees and asylum seekers living in London.
These range from international organisations such as the British Red Cross to grassroots groups such as Welcome West London. From groups that offer yoga classes for refugees, to groups that tackle food poverty, to immigration lawyers.
We have translated these resources into languages commonly spoken by our participants and in refugee communities.
Click on the language below to download the translation in your language.
National or London Wide Support Groups
Breaking Barriers
https://breaking-barriers.co.uk/
Provide employment support for refugees (with status)
British Red Cross
redcross.org.uk/get-help/get-help-as-a-refugee
Provide help with the urgent needs of refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants.
CIRCLE (Groundwork)
Offer "Culture, language and employment" support (for refugees with status)
Citizens of the World Choir
http://www.citizensoftheworldchoir.org/
The COTW is a choir for people who are refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and friends. They provide a safe space for refugees to express themselves through the healing power of music, as well as creating a diverse, friendly social community.
citizensoftheworldchoir@gmail.com
A network of UK organisations aiming to make the UK a place of welcome for people seeking Sanctuary.
Find your local network group: cityofsanctuary.org/groups/
Code your future
Free coding school for refugees, asylum seekers and others facing difficulties or barriers to education and employment. Equips students with the skills and confidence to begin careers within the tech sector. Groups based across the UK, in London, Manchester, Glasgow and now the West Midlands.
Hope for the young
https://hopefortheyoung.org.uk/
Provide young refugees and asylum-seekers mentoring and financial support to help with their education and wellbeing.
Host Nation
Online befriending service for refugees and asylum seekers
Jesuit Refugee Service UK
www.jrsuk.net/
Run a Day Centre for destitute asylum seekers who are not eligible for asylum support, Section 4 support or assistance from social services.
They also arrange visitors for people in Colnbrook and Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centres.
Call 020 7488 7310 for support.
Migrant Help
Offer a wide range of specialist support for migrants.
Free asylum helpline: 0808 8010 503
Support the inclusion and empowerment of young refugees through tailored youth programmes, refugee awareness talks and training.
Ourmala
Deliver free yoga sessions for refugees and asylum seekers
Praxis
Providing practical, legal and emotional support for migrants at-risk, ensuring that their human needs are met & that they can overcome the barriers they face.
Project 17
Work to end destitution among migrant children by improving access to local authority support for vulnerable families.
RefuAid
Offer language tuition, education, finance and access to meaningful employment.
Refugee Action
Help refugees get the support they need to live safe, happy and productive lives in the UK.
Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex & London (RAMFEL).
Supports vulnerable migrants to access justice and that provides vital support in moments of individual crisis.
Refugees at Home
Help to secure accommodation for asylum seekers through hosting.
Refugee Support Network
www.refugeesupportnetwork.org/
Educational support for 15-25 year olds seeking safety in the UK
The Bike Project
Fix secondhand bikes and donate them to refugees and asylum seekers. Also provide cycling lessons.
The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network (TERN).
Support refugees to thrive through their own business ideas
The Migrant and Refugee Children's Legal Unit
Based at Islington Law Centre, MICLU work for the rights of migrant and refugee children and young people.
The Refugee Council
https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/
Provide crisis advice and practical support, helping refugees to integrate into their new communities and offer mental health counselling.
The UK office of the United Nations High Commissioner for refugees.
We Belong
Young UK migrants campaigning for a shorter, more affordable route to settlement
Women for Refugee Women
https://www.refugeewomen.co.uk/
Empowerment and support for refugee women including English Language and Drama.
Local Support Groups
Hackney-based social centre for migrants.
CARAS (South West London)
CARAS is a community outreach charity based in Tooting. We support people of refugee and asylum-seeking background who live in South-West London.
CARIS Haringey
Working to support homeless families in Haringey
Grace (Greenwich Refugee AID and Community Enterprise)
Provides aid to vulnerable/destitute new parents referred by social carers and midwives.
Hackney Migrant Centre
A weekly drop-in for asylum seekers, refugees and migrants, offering free advice on immigration, welfare, housing and health
Haringay Migrant Support
Weekly drop-in service for migrants, offering advice and signposting on immigration, welfare and healthcare issues.
Herne Hill Welcomes Refugees
Contact them at hhwelcomesrefugees@gmail.com
Impact
https://www.groundwork.org.uk/projects/impact-london/?hub=415
Language, preparation for work and cultural activities for refugees and non-EU migrants in the boroughs of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, and Hammersmith and Fulham.
Islington Centre for refugees and migrants
Provide a wide range of services from language lessons to arts projects to crisis support.
Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network
Provide free, independent and confidential advice to refugee, asylum seeker and migrant (RASM) communities
Musawa
Comprised of 10 civil society organisations that primarily serve the BME community in and around Kensington & Chelsea.
North East London Migrant Action (NELMA)
Campaigning to defend the rights of all migrants/Free School Meals.
nelondonmigrantaction@gmail.com
Salusbury World
Challenging myths about immigration and asylum-supporting refugee kids, families & more in schools & beyond (Based in Brent).
Tottenham Refugee Alliance
http://tottenhamrefugees.org.uk
Offers sanctuary to refugees in Haringey under the Home Office community sponsorship scheme
Waterloo Community Counselling
The Multi-Ethnic Counselling Service at Waterloo Community Counselling provides time-limited culturally-sensitive, mother-tongue counselling to migrants, refugees, asylum-seekers at no cost to the client.
West London Welcome
Offer free drop-in centre for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants who have settled in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.
Asylum System Advice, Legal Support and Support for Detained People
BID
legal advice and representation to migrants detained in removal centres and prisons
Consonant (formerly Migrants resources Centre)
Provide legal advice to help people fleeing persecution and violence to live safely in the UK.
Detention Action
Supporting people in Detention across the UK
Duncan Lewis
www.duncanlewis.co.uk/immigration.html
Law firm specialising in immigration - particularly asylum support.
Gatwick Detainee Welfare Group
Supporting Detainees at Gatwick
Medical justice
Medical help for detainees
Right to Remain
The Right to Remain Toolkit is a guide to the UK immigration and asylum system.
SOAS Detainee Support
/www.facebook.com/soasdetaineesupport
Supporting detainees
UKLGIG