Thank you for standing up for refugees and taking action! There are plenty more ways to make a difference in the lives of those seeking safety - we've put together a list of some brilliant organisations working every day to welcome refugees and help them to rebuild their lives in the UK.
When the now iconic images of Aylan Kurdi brought home the tragic reality of the European refugee crisis, many in the UK decided that enough was enough – it was time for action. Refugees Welcome is an online movement established in response to the surge of public interest in the refugee crisis. Its mission is to help civil society groups and members of the public coordinate their response, to stand up for people fleeing danger, and to call on our leaders to do more to help refugees rebuild their lives together with their loved ones in the UK.
Grassroots movement City of Sanctuary aims to build a culture of hospitality for people seeking safety in the UK. Their goal is to create a network of towns and cities throughout the country that are proud to be places of security for people seeking sanctuary, helping them integrate into their local communities. City of Sanctuary encourage the formation of local coalitions from all sectors to welcome and include refugees in all their activities, with the end goal of influencing the political debate on sanctuary.
With a mission to “make memorable meals and new dinner constellations”, United Invitations is an initiative that brings people together over food; participants through dinner parties, being sure to invite at least one person who has moved to this country from a different country. Turning strangers into dinner companions across Europe, this movement strives to builds trust and community, encouraging anyone who wants to get involved to organise a dinner and reach out to refugees and other migrants alike.
A UK based charity, Refugees at Home to connects those with a spare room in their home with asylum seekers and refugees in need of accommodation – it’s as simple as that.
A Peer-to-Peer Health Services platform and a community support network for new and settled migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in the UK, New 2 UK Health brings together the NHS, not-for-profit and charitable organisations under one roof. Their mission is to remove barriers to care in the UK for those new to the health system, offering information on the practicalities of the NHS, and improving access for all.
In 2016 the UK Government introduced the Community Sponsorship Scheme, a ground-breaking new development for resettlement in the UK. The scheme enables people living in the UK to support a resettled refugee family from the moment they arrive in the country, meeting them at the airport, providing housing and cultural orientation, helping them to access services and supporting them towards employment and self-sufficiency.