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Welcoming and supporting
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Our position statement
We are dismayed that on top of the cruel ‘earned settlement’ plans to delay citizenship by decades, yesterday the government announced that refugees arriving from March 2026 will have their status reviewed every 30 months, rather than being granted five years of protection.
The Refugee Council estimates that over the first 10 years, this change could mean up to 1.1 million repeat reviews - at a potential cost of up to £725 million. More importantly, it would mean families who have already survived war and persecution facing uncertainty for 20 years before they can apply for settlement.
Long waits for settlement will create insecurity and instability, making it harder for refugees to establish themselves, get secure, well-paid employment and/or progress in work or study. This increases the risk of poverty and destitution, especially when coupled with the need to pay repeat visa fees.
If the Government wants refugees to integrate and contribute, they should make settlement processes timely, simple and affordable.
We are sharing the views of two refugees on our Advisory Board:
Young Sudanese woman with a masters in bioengineering: “There's no sense of security.… What if one day the government decides to send me back? Did I take this entire journey for nothing? Will I ever be safe? This is one of the saddest things that I've seen.”
University lecturer from Afghanistan: “Personally, it has affected me a lot because I came here with nothing and with lots of hopes. But when I heard about these proposals it shattered me. It’s a kind of limbo situation we are in. I wish now that I had decided to apply for a student visa in another country and not in the UK.”
We urge Shabana Mahmood to reconsider these draconian views which are against the spirit of the Refugee Convention and our international obligations to help those seeking sanctuary here.
On 11th March, we’re heading to Parliament to join migrant and refugee groups, unions, and faith communities to demand justice at the Mass Lobby for Migrant Rights. We’ll be meeting MPs face-to-face and urging them to oppose the Government’s harmful earned settlement plans.
The Refugee Council estimates that over the first 10 years, this change could mean up to 1.1 million repeat reviews - at a potential cost of up to £725 million. More importantly, it would mean families who have already survived war and persecution facing uncertainty for 20 years before they can apply for settlement.
Long waits for settlement will create insecurity and instability, making it harder for refugees to establish themselves, get secure, well-paid employment and/or progress in work or study. This increases the risk of poverty and destitution, especially when coupled with the need to pay repeat visa fees.
If the Government wants refugees to integrate and contribute, they should make settlement processes timely, simple and affordable.
We are sharing the views of two refugees on our Advisory Board:
Young Sudanese woman with a masters in bioengineering: “There's no sense of security.… What if one day the government decides to send me back? Did I take this entire journey for nothing? Will I ever be safe? This is one of the saddest things that I've seen.”
University lecturer from Afghanistan: “Personally, it has affected me a lot because I came here with nothing and with lots of hopes. But when I heard about these proposals it shattered me. It’s a kind of limbo situation we are in. I wish now that I had decided to apply for a student visa in another country and not in the UK.”
We urge Shabana Mahmood to reconsider these draconian views which are against the spirit of the Refugee Convention and our international obligations to help those seeking sanctuary here.
On 11th March, we’re heading to Parliament to join migrant and refugee groups, unions, and faith communities to demand justice at the Mass Lobby for Migrant Rights. We’ll be meeting MPs face-to-face and urging them to oppose the Government’s harmful earned settlement plans.
With our network of over 200 volunteers, we welcome refugees and people seeking asylum across Hertfordshire.
Our volunteers provide practical support to these new arrivals, helping them to connect with their communities and adjust to life in the UK.
We want to make our communities welcoming places so we provide a range of support from befriending and English language practice to practical assistance for those who need it most.
To find out about some of our recent activities click on the images below from our Instagram feed:
Our volunteers provide practical support to these new arrivals, helping them to connect with their communities and adjust to life in the UK.
We want to make our communities welcoming places so we provide a range of support from befriending and English language practice to practical assistance for those who need it most.
To find out about some of our recent activities click on the images below from our Instagram feed:
The King's Award for Voluntary Service
Patron: HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire
Robert Voss CBE CStJ
Charity Number 1172687
Robert Voss CBE CStJ
Charity Number 1172687
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