Asylum, Migration & Cohesion Resources

Asylum, Migration & Cohesion Resources

Intro needed 

UK Asylum &
Immigration Statistics

Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK
Official Home Office data tables covering asylum applications, decisions, appeals, resettlement and support in the UK.

Small boat activity in the English Channel - GOV.UK
UK government statistics on people detected crossing the English Channel in small boats, including nationality, age and outcomes.

Core International Refugee & Human Rights Law

European Convention on Human Rights
Foundational human-rights treaty protecting civil and political rights across Council of Europe states, including the UK.

THE REFUGEE CONVENTION, 1951
The original international treaty defining who is a refugee and what protections they are entitled to.

Interpreting Article 1 of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees | Refworld
Legal analysis explaining how the refugee definition (Article 1) should be interpreted in practice.

The Refugee Convention, 1951: The Travaux préparatoires analysed with a Commentary by Dr. Paul Weis | UNHCR UK

Detailed background and official drafting history of the Refugee Convention, explaining how and why it was written.

UK Immigration, Asylum & Detention Law

Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Primary UK legislation governing asylum support, accommodation, and immigration enforcement.

The Short-term Holding Facility Rules 2018
Rules that regulate how people may be detained in UK short-term holding facilities at borders and airports.

Equality impact assessment: residential holding rooms - GOV.UK
Government analysis of how holding rooms affect people with protected characteristics (e.g., disability, gender, race).

Country Conditions & Decision-Making Guidance

Country policy and information notes - GOV.UK
Official Home Office country reports used to assess asylum claims and human rights risks.

Asylum Support, Living & Rights in the UK

Asylum support: What you'll get – GOV.UK
Explains what housing, financial support and assistance asylum seekers receive in the UK.

Permission to work and volunteering for asylum seekers (accessible) - GOV.UK
Sets out when asylum seekers are allowed to work or volunteer while waiting for a decision.

Get help to return home if you’re a migrant in the UK: Overview - GOV.UK
Information on voluntary return schemes for people who decide not to continue their immigration case.

Fees, Legal Help & Complaints

Get help to pay or reduce your visa or immigration appeal fee - GOV.UK
Explains how to apply for a fee waiver or reduction if you cannot afford Home Office fees.

Find an immigration adviser: Complain about an adviser - GOV.UK
How to report poor or dishonest immigration advisers and check if someone is regulated.

Family, Protection & Reunion

Economic note: Appendix Family Reunion, suspension of new applications (accessible) - GOV.UK
Government policy explaining the temporary suspension of refugee family reunion applications.

Modern Slavery & Trafficking Protection

Modern Slavery Act 2015
UK law that criminalises slavery, forced labour and human trafficking and provides protections for victims.

Modern Slavery Act 2015 - GOV.UK
The official UK government version of the Modern Slavery Act legislation.

National referral mechanism guidance: adult (England and Wales) - GOV.UK
Official guidance explaining how adult victims of trafficking or modern slavery are identified and supported.

Modern slavery victims: referral - GOV.UK
The process for referring someone into the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for protection.

Afghan Resettlement

Afghan Resettlement Programme - GOV.UK
Main government page explaining how Afghans can be resettled in the UK.

Afghan citizens resettlement scheme - GOV.UK
Details of the specific scheme for Afghan nationals seeking protection.

Ukraine Schemes

Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme
Allows UK residents to sponsor Ukrainians to come and live in the UK.

Ukraine Family Scheme, Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine) and Ukraine Extension Scheme visa data - GOV.UK
Official visa and uptake statistics for all Ukraine-related immigration schemes.

Hong Kong BN(O)

Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) Welcome Programme – information for local authorities - GOV.UK
Guidance for councils supporting Hong Kong BN(O) migrants settling in the UK.

Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC)

National Transfer Scheme Protocol
National transfer procedure on transferring unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC).

UASC and Care Leaver Funding Instructions
Instructions to local authorities about funding for the support and care of former and unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC).

Local Authority & Funding

Funding Instruction for Local Authorities: Asylum Grant 2025 - 2026 - GOV.UK
Explains how councils are funded to support people in the asylum system.

Regional Support Organisations & Directories

Support for Refugees East Midlands (SFREM)

Charity supporting refugees and people seeking asylum with befriending, settlement support, English learning and community activities based mainly in Newark & Sherwood

Right to Remain: East Midlands Directory

Regional list of organisations using the Right to Remain Toolkit (includes groups across the East Midlands) East Midlands – Right to Remain

Welcome Homes – East Midlands

Partners and local hosting schemes supporting destitute asylum seekers and refugees (e.g., Host Nottingham, Upbeat Communities in Derbyshire) East Midlands — Welcome Homes

City / Local Authority Resources

Nottingham City Council – Refugee & Asylum Support & Welcome Directory

Local council page including published Welcome to Nottingham directory, service contacts, Conversation Café, and links to local support.

Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum

Detailed local support for refugees/asylum seekers including advice access, activities, interpreting, training and signposting.

Leicester City Council – Asylum Seeker Support (PDF guidance)

Local council guidance on available support structures, partnerships, multi-agency forums and community cohesion work

Asylum Welcome Toolkit GLA

A toolkit from the Greater London Authority to help councils and partners support people seeking asylum.

Refugee Housing Transitions - The Housing, Migration & Health Lab

Research and policy resources on how refugees move from asylum housing into long-term accommodation.

Community & Inclusion Projects

Refugee Roots (Nottingham)

Community integration charity offering befriending, ESOL/social groups and activities to help asylum seekers/refugees build connections and navigate new life in Nottingham.

Write Here: Sanctuary Toolkit

Best practice toolkit created through a creative writing inclusion project for refugees/asylum seekers (in partnership with City of Sanctuary and Writing East Midlands)

UK-WIDE TOOLKITS & GUIDES

Toolkits & Rights Guides

Right to Remain Toolkit

A widely used step-by-step guide to the UK asylum and immigration system designed for migrants and support workers

Voices in Exile Immigration Toolkits

Practical “how to” guides on submitting witness statements, sending ID, and gathering evidence for immigration/asylum applications.

Asylum & Refugee Resources

Public information, myth-busting & community cohesion

The truth about asylum - Refugee Council
Clear, evidence-based explanations that challenge common myths about people seeking asylum.

What is an asylum seeker? | Myth Busting | British Red Cross
Plain-English explanation of what an asylum seeker is and what rights they have.

Services - Lynn - Lynn-Misinformation-Report-How-hate-spreads.pdf

Lynn Global is a behavioural science-led communications consultancy that creates behaviour-change campaigns for governments, public-sector bodies, health organisations, and NGOs.

North East Migration Partnership Myth-Buster Resources

Downloadable myth-busting leaflets on asylum/migration.

 

Planning, Strategy & Policy Context

Overview of the region’s multi-agency strategic board on asylum, resettlement and migration policy (useful for council or strategic planning contacts and networks)

Data visualisation showing where asylum/resettlement scheme participants live in the East Midlands — useful for shaping responses and planning

A specialized agency of the United Nations which coordinates responses to international public health issues and emergencies.

Local Support Networks & Ethnic Minority Groups

- Afro Innovation Group – Leicester & Northamptonshire - HOME | Afro Innovation Group

support for refugees and migrants in Leicester/Northamptonshire.

- Somali Development Services – Leicester – Somali Development Services

Community support and guidance around welfare and services

- Bangladesh Youth & Cultural Shomiti – Nottinghamshire - Bangladesh Youth and Cultural Shomiti

Community support and guidance around welfare and services

- AWAAZ – Nottingham – Access Card: Making access easy

Asian mental health resource unit in the voluntary sector in Nottingham.

- BAC- Nottingham – multicultural community support - Nottingham BME drug and alcohol recovery support service

Provides specialist addiction recovery and rehabilitation services; supporting individuals, families, young adults and caregivers.

Mental Health Support

A trusted partner to NHS trusts, local councils, and charities delivering culturally competent and trauma-informed, care to vulnerable communities across the UK.

Towns of Sanctuaries – East Midlands

Loughborough – Town of Sanctuary
Local group focused on welcoming people when they attend the East Midlands Immigration Reporting Centre and providing practical support.
 Welcome - Loughborough Town of Sanctuary

Leicester – City of Sanctuary
A major City of Sanctuary group offering support services (drop-in, classes, community activities) to asylum seekers and refugees in Leicester and nearby.
Leicester City of Sanctuary - Leicester City of Sanctuary

Derby – City of Sanctuary
Community group working to create a climate of welcome for asylum seekers and refugees in Derby and surrounding areas.
Home - Derby City of Sanctuary

Nottingham – City of Sanctuary
Part of the wider City of Sanctuary network supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Home - Nottingham City of Sanctuary

University of Sanctuaries – East Midlands

Loughborough University

Recognised as a University of Sanctuary, Loughborough supports refugees and asylum-seeking students through scholarships and an inclusive campus community.
University of Sanctuary info & news: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/news-events/news/2025/may/uni-of-sanctuary-status/ Loughborough University
Sanctuary Scholarships: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/fees-funding/scholarships/sanctuary-scholarships/ Loughborough University
Main university site: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/

 

University of Nottingham (joint award)

Jointly awarded University of Sanctuary status together with Nottingham Trent University — recognised for collaborative work supporting sanctuary seekers (teaching, research and community work).
Nottingham Universities of Sanctuary info: https://universitiesfornottingham.ac.uk/nottingham-universities-of-sanctuary-one-year-later/ Universities for Nottingham
Main university site: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/

 

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) (joint award)

Partnered with the University of Nottingham in becoming a University of Sanctuary; also offers Sanctuary Scholarships for asylum-seeking students.
NTU Sanctuary Scholarship info: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/study-and-courses/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/bursaries-and-scholarships/ntu-sanctuary-scholarship Nottingham Trent University
Main university site: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/

Towns of Sanctuaries – East Midlands

Loughborough – Town of Sanctuary
Local group focused on welcoming people when they attend the East Midlands Immigration Reporting Centre and providing practical support.
 Welcome - Loughborough Town of Sanctuary

Leicester – City of Sanctuary
A major City of Sanctuary group offering support services (drop-in, classes, community activities) to asylum seekers and refugees in Leicester and nearby.
Leicester City of Sanctuary - Leicester City of Sanctuary

Derby – City of Sanctuary
Community group working to create a climate of welcome for asylum seekers and refugees in Derby and surrounding areas.
Home - Derby City of Sanctuary

Nottingham – City of Sanctuary
Part of the wider City of Sanctuary network supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Home - Nottingham City of Sanctuary