Love Southampton CLEAR Impact Evaluation Digital

AN EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT THAT 

FAITH BASED ORGANISATIONS HAVE 

ON REFUGEE INTEGRATION IN SOUTHAMPTON, 

AND THE CONTINUED ROLE THAT LOCAL 

CHURCHES CAN PLAY IN SUPPORTING PEOPLE 

ARRIVING IN THE UK DUE TO OPPRESSION. 

AUTHORS: 

JEAN HIRST 

PROFESSOR KEITH BROWN

Contents 

Forewords 2 

Endorsements 8 

Executive Summary 12 

1) Introduction 17 

2) Who are asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants? 21 

3) The process of applying for asylum 29 

4) The challenges faced upon arrival in the UK 31 

5) The role of faith groups 37 

Why should faith groups respond? 37 

How should faith groups respond? 38 

6) Introduction to the evaluation 41 

Refugee and asylum seeker context in Southampton 42 

7) What response has there been in Southampton? 45 

CLEAR 45 

Advice Sessions 46 

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) 46 

This document can be downloaded for free from: 

www.profkeith.com 

8) The impact 57 

Immediate Support: Practical provision that impacts positively on health 

and wellbeing 57 

Reducing Social Isolation 58 

Advocacy and Signposting 59 

9) Conclusions 63 

10) Recommendations 67 

Works Cited 71 

Appendix A – Data Gathering 75 

Appendix B – Additional quotes from interviews 77 

THROUGH THE CHURCH, FOR THE CITY 

THROUGH THE CHURCH, FOR THE CITY 

1

Foreword 

Love Southampton exists to represent the churches of Southampton and all they do to support, 

enrich and care for the local community of all faiths and none. I am privileged to be the independent 

Chair of Love Southampton helping to make known all the amazing projects and acts of 

kindness that churches and church members are involved in within the city to support and protect 

some of the most vulnerable members of our society. 

Professor Keith Brown 

Independent Chair, Love Southampton 

Following the publication of the research report, 

Food Poverty and Food Distribution: The 

role that Faith-based groups have in providing 

and caring for their communities, we wanted 

to highlight the impact that faith-based communities 

have on the integration of refugees 

into society. We therefore decided to commission 

an impact evaluation of this area and this 

report is the conclusion of a 9 month research 

project which I was delighted to lead. 

Once again we commissioned Jean Hirst to 

undertake the data collection and to conduct 

interviews with organisations and individuals 

working in this area, and with individuals 

with personal experience of being a refugee. 

Through this rich depth of information and 

case study material we are able to not only 

demonstrate how churches in Southampton 

make a real and significant difference to 

the lives of refugees, but also to explain the 

journey and story of what it’s like to be a refugee. 

In particular we wanted to demystify the 

complexity and the often ill-informed media 

reports regarding the scale and impact of asylum 

seekers in the UK. 

We also wanted to focus on the practical help 

that faith-based communities, and in particular 

churches, provide in supporting these 

people both in terms of immediate practical 

needs, and also and perhaps of more importance, 

helping them to integrate into society. 

We want to tell this story both to celebrate all 

that the churches have done in Southampton, 

but also to inspire other churches to do more 

to welcome the ‘stranger’ into their communities, 

as an expression of their faith in action. 

Jean and I could not have written this report 

without a great deal of help from others. In 

particular we want to express our sincere 

thanks to those who were willing to be interviewed 

and provided insight and comment on 

our work. In addition we express our grateful 

thanks to Paul Woodman, Pete White and Jill 

Brown who have helped us edit this work and 

have provided content and insight. Without 

this wider team this report would simply not 

have been possible. 

Finally, if you look at the details of migrants arriving 

in Southampton since 2001 (from a presentation 

by Dr Rachael Coker from South East 

Strategic Partnership for Migration), 44,050 

were from the EU with the legal right to live 

and work here, 1,067 were Hong Kong British 

Nationals, 395 were Ukrainians under the 

Homes for Ukraine scheme, 113 came via the 

Afghan resettlement scheme and there were 

346 others. These “others” are a very small 

percentage of the total number of people entering 

the UK via immigration routes. These 

people as we demonstrate are feeling oppression 

and injustice, seeking to build new 

lives away from conflict or persecution, and to 

this end I want to thank very sincerely all the 

churches and Christians in Southampton who 

have stood up to offer real and significant assistance 

and help to these vulnerable human 

beings who have moved into our community. 

You are an inspiration to us all in the way you 

have cared for these people - thank you. 

Professor Keith Brown 

Independent Chair, Love Southampton 

www.profkeith.com 

THROUGH THE CHURCH, FOR THE CITY 2 THROUGH THE CHURCH, FOR THE CITY 

3

Foreword 

Since 2012, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society has drawn parliamentarians 

together to support the contributions of faith groups and faith-based organisations to their communities. 

We aim to draw attention to their achievements and - where we can - to help remove 

the hurdles which sometimes unnecessarily hold them back. 

The pandemic was the catalyst for a dramatic 

surge, right across the country, of co-operation 

between faith groups and local Councils. 

In lockdowns, it turned out that faith groups 

uniquely had the motivation and the capacity 

to deliver help at scale to people facing hardship. 

They also had the contacts with people 

needing help, and were trusted. 

Love Southampton has been a very good example 

of this kind of partnership, with an excellent 

working relationship between Southampton 

City Council and the churches and 

other faith groups. One uncertainty about 

the partnerships established during the Covid 

lockdowns was whether - as we hoped - they 

would endure after the pandemic. Love Southampton 

continues to thrive, helping residents 

deal with the cost of living crisis. 

I hope as well that the kind of initiative described 

here - marked by kindness and compassion 

rather than officiousness, and offering 

hope for the future - will be increasingly prominent 

in our national life, and, in due course, 

help to renew our politics and our democracy. 

Rt. Hon. Sir Stephen Timms MP 

This impressive report profiles work in Southampton, 

which started in 2001, to support new 

migrants to the city. It explains that the beneficiaries 

- offered minimal support elsewhere 

- have often “endured unimaginable horrors”, 

and need “a compassionate and supportive 

environment for processing and healing from 

their experiences”. They have found that in 

Southampton’s churches. 

I commend this work in Southampton, and the 

efforts of everyone involved. Like the report’s 

authors, I hope this example will inspire and 

encourage others to consider how they might 

provide support in their own communities. 

More of those newly arrived in the country, 

disorientated and confronted by seemingly insurmountable 

challenges, will then be able to 

say, like one of those quoted here, “I realised 

I’m settled … and want to stay”. 

Rt. Hon. Sir Stephen Timms MP 

Chair, All Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society 


5

Foreword 

I am very pleased to commend this report 

which provides powerful evidence of the work 

of churches in Southampton to welcome and 

support vulnerable people who arrive in our 

city. 

Southampton has a long history of migration 

and our population and culture have constantly 

evolved as diverse people groups have arrived 

and settled. Romans, Saxons, Vikings, 

Normans, those escaping persecution or war, 

those seeking a better life - all these arrivals 

have made the city what it is today, but they 

may also present us with financial and social 

challenges. 

What this report demonstrates is that whilst 

the City Council has an important part to play 

in welcoming and supporting asylum seekers, 

faith-based communities can provide an enormous 

amount of complementary services and 

support that make a huge difference to people 

in need, not only of practical help, but also human 

connection and a sense of belonging. 

I am grateful to Love Southampton for representing 

the churches and for their long-term 

commitment to welcoming and supporting vulnerable 

new arrivals to our city which is evidenced 

in detail in this report. Indeed, without 

the churches’ commitment to supporting these 

asylum seekers our community would be much 

more impoverished. 

Finally, I wish to express my sincere thanks 

to Professor Keith Brown, Jean Hirst and the 

members of the research team who have diligently 

undertaken this research to bring this 

work to our attention in such a powerful way. 

Cllr Lorna Fielker 

Cllr Lorna Fielker 

Leader of Southampton City Council 

Southampton is proud to be a City of Sanctuary 

and the churches in the city have helped to 

make sanctuary a living reality for thousands 

of lonely and needy asylum seekers. Working 

in partnership with statutory services the 

churches in Southampton have contributed a 

huge amount to the social integration of asylum 

seekers within the city. 


7

Endorsement 

I welcome this detailed account and evaluation 

of the work undertaken by the Faith Organisations 

in Southampton as an honest and truthful 

picture of the reality faced by increasing numbers 

of people seeking escape from oppression. 

Designated a dispersal city for Home Office 

Assisted Asylum Seekers since 2001 and recognised 

as a City of Sanctuary since 2017, 

Southampton’s Faith Community has worked 

with the Local Authority and other organisations 

to provide immediate practical support 

and enable longer term integration for those 

working through the trauma of being forced to 

leave their homes and seek a new life in a totally 

different country and society. 

Jean Hirst and Keith Brown have provided an 

honest, factual and inspirational report that is 

not confrontational or ‘anti – government’ but 

rather offers recommendations based on success 

stories that have emerged through years 

of service to the community in Southampton. 

This report offers us all a great deal to reflect 

on and to which we should be prayerfully responding. 

Bishop Geoff 

This report gives an in-depth analysis grounded 

in theology and especially Christian understanding. 

As St Mother Teresa of Calcutta 

once wrote: 

Geoff Annas 

Acting Bishop of Southampton 

‘Christ Jesus, 

In Holy Communion I find you under the forms 

of bread and wine. In my everyday life I find 

you in all the people I meet, especially when 

they need help. For you said, anything you do 

for one of my sisters or brothers you do for me’ 


9

Endorsement 

“It feels like home.” These were the heart-warming words I heard from a young mum from Hong 

Kong, as we stood together in a park at a welcome festival put on by Christians in 2020. The United 

Kingdom had seen a spike in race-based hate crime towards people assumed to be Chinese, 

but in the park that day, new arrivals from Hong Kong were met by a wall of beautiful welcome 

messages written by members of a local church. 

For that young mum, the welcome festival offered 

not only an oasis of hope and welcome, 

but a poignant sense of connection with home. 

For me, that festival marked the beginning of 

an amazing three years where churches and 

Christians households put themselves at the 

forefront of offering welcome and support to 

those arriving in the UK from Hong Kong, Afghanistan 

and Ukraine. 

This powerful report offers us a deep dive into 

the huge positive impact that faith groups are 

having in Southampton by helping to meet 

both practical and pastoral needs of refugees 

and asylum seekers. It shows us what faith in 

practice looks like; the practical outworking of 

Jesus’ call to love God and love neighbour, a 

generous welcome that is offered freely without 

strings or compulsion, and making a huge 

difference in people’s lives. 

I have seen this replicated hundreds of times 

across the country. This report offers a snapshot 

of how faith groups and civil society are 

working in close partnership with local and 

national government all over the UK. This is a 

winning combination that can ensure everyone 

gets the welcome and support they need. 

This report provides empirical evidence that 

should ensure this approach has a long and 

positive future, and should be read widely. 

Dr Krish Kandiah OBE 

Director, Sanctuary Foundation 

Dr Krish Kandiah OBE 

Director, Sanctuary Foundation 


11

Executive Summary 

This impact evaluation demonstrates the crucial 

and continued role of faith-based organisations, 

particularly local churches, in supporting 

refugees, asylum seekers and migrants arriving 

in local communities. By demonstrating the 

impact of the services provided by some of 

the organisations represented by Love Southampton, 

this evaluation evidences that it is 

possible to make a great difference against a 

landscape of minimal other support and seeks 

to encourage other Christian communities in 

how they can practically support those having 

to start a new life in their area. Overall, the 

report argues that faith-based organisations 

play a vital role in providing immediate practical 

provision as well as longer-term impact 

through opening up opportunities for community 

relationship building, access to education, 

housing, health and employment, which have a 

longer-term impact on refugee integration. 

With the UK witnessing an influx of asylum applications 

(173,000 new asylum and humanitarian 

route applications between July 2022 

and June 2023)(Office for National Statistics, 

2023) there is a continued need for support 

to successfully integrate people into communities. 

The evaluation draws attention to the 

distinct differences between refugees and 

asylum seekers and how these differences impact 

the levels of support needed upon arrival 

in the UK and on the integration journey. 

The evaluation suggests that support and aid 

is needed in two categories. The pressing immediate 

practical support needed for immediate 

housing, food, legal support with asylum 

claims; and the medium to longer term integration 

support such as access to employment, 

community connection, access to education 

etc. Asylum seekers are reliant upon government 

support to initially meet their immediate 

needs upon arrival in the UK, however the 

support offered is not comprehensive enough; 

leaving them to live in conditions that have an 

impact upon their physical and mental health. 

The report outlines several challenges faced 

by refugees and asylum seekers, including the 

prolonged waiting period for asylum decisions, 

the impact of previous trauma, language barriers, 

housing issues, digital exclusion and the 

inability to work during the asylum application 

process. It also highlights the difficulties in 

navigating complex legal processes, the lack 

of stable and good quality living conditions, 

and the disruption caused by the dispersal 

process. 

Additionally, the report emphasises the vulnerability 

and emotional toll experienced by 

refugees as they recount traumatic experiences 

during the asylum application process. 

Overall, the challenges faced by refugees and 

asylum seekers encompass physical, mental 

and emotional aspects, as well as difficulties in 

integrating into a new society and establishing 

a sense of stability and community. They have 

been categorised as: 

• The temporal 

• The technical 

• The trauma 

• Housing and location 

• Employment 

• Language barriers 

• Access to legal and other advice 

Over a period of 6 months and using a combination 

of research papers, desktop data and 

over 30 interviews, the findings of this evaluation 

highlight the impact that faith-based 

organisations have had in Southampton specifically. 

We use a mixed methods approach 

to emphasise the scale of the interventions 

provided and the depth of impact through listening 

first hand to learners, clients and community 

partners. While Christian organisations 

are not the only ones to provide support in this 

space, the outcomes of the interviews (and 

the commission of the evaluation itself) highlight 

the leading presence that they have in 

providing support in the third sector. 

Christian-based organisation, CLEAR has provided 

support to refugees and asylum seekers 

in Southampton for 23 years. Its key outputs 

are listed below: 

• £4.23 million raised since 2001 for 

the purpose of supporting refugees 

• 1,038 is the average number of 

people helped each year since 

2001 

• 40,000 advice sessions to 9,439 

clients over the last 20 years 

• Over 192,000 individual language 

classes offered in the last 

20 years (given that each ESOL 

course runs for 32 weeks) 

The impact of Christians in Southampton, particularly 

through faith-based organisations 

and local churches, has been substantial. 

They have provided life-changing support to 

refugees and asylum seekers, including mentoring, 

employment advice, English language 

support, housing, food, welcome programmes, 

legal casework advice sessions and advocacy. 

These interventions have contributed to 

the physical and mental wellbeing of refugees, 

enabling them to recover from trauma and see 

the possibility of integrating into UK society. 

There are three key impacts arising from the 

interviews which are as follows: 

1. Immediate support: 

Practical provision that 

impacts positively on 

health and wellbeing 

Through interviews, it became evident that essential 

provisions such as food, clothing, furniture 

and even housing significantly alleviated 

the hardships faced by these individuals. Particularly 

during the initial accommodation period, 

receiving food aid was crucial in addressing 

hunger and ensuring physical wellbeing. 

When government support was not sufficient 

in ensuring sufficient resources for food and 

preparation for asylum claims, and the housing 

provided was substandard, interventions and 

provisions from local faith-based communities 

played an invaluable role in sustaining these 

individuals. Without such support, many interviewees 

expressed uncertainty about survival 

and providing for their families, hindering their 

ability to engage in activities essential for integration 

and progression. 

Physical attendance at English language classes, 

GPs, case worker meetings and advice 

sessions were facilitated by practical assistance, 

enabling individuals to pursue opportunities 

for a new life in Southampton. The acts 

of support themselves from members of the 

community fostered a sense of welcome and 

belonging, positively impacting mental health 

and further encouraging participation in communal 

endeavours. 

The provision of practical support not only 

addressed immediate physical needs but also 

facilitated integration, mental wellbeing and 

community engagement among refugees, 

asylum seekers and vulnerable individuals, ultimately 

contributing to their overall sense of 

personal security. 


13

2. Reducing social isolation 

Secondly, through initiatives like English language 

cafes, welcome events and church services, 

individuals find opportunities to connect 

with others and build relationships. Many interviewees 

highlighted initial feelings of isolation 

and anxiety, which were alleviated by participating 

in community gatherings. 

Government funding primarily focuses on 

practical support such as housing and finance, 

leaving a gap in supporting overall wellbeing. 

Community events serve as more than just 

entertainment, providing platforms for sharing 

experiences, healing and social integration. 

Participants find solace in connecting with 

others who understand their journeys, leading 

to newfound confidence and engagement in 

community life. 

The regularity of events provides a sense of 

rhythm and hope amidst uncertainty, boosting 

confidence and fostering relationships. Community 

spaces not only unite individuals with 

shared experiences, but also contribute to the 

growth and unity of the wider community. By 

exchanging stories and cultures, these activities 

promote empathy and understanding 

within society. 

Without these spaces, individuals would remain 

isolated, hindering their integration into 

society. Local authorities lack the capacity to 

lead or support such initiatives, focusing primarily 

on practical assistance. Therefore, the 

involvement of Christian organisations and local 

communities is essential in creating safe, 

supportive environments and facilitating relationships 

that bridge the gap between vulnerable 

individuals and society at large. 

3. Advocacy 

and signposting 

Interviews from our community partners, including 

Southampton City Council, demonstrate 

how the church has emerged as a 

powerful advocate, amplifying the voices of 

vulnerable groups and shedding light on their 

experiences and hardships. By representing 

these voices, they have raised awareness 

about pressing issues such as living conditions 

and housing requirements, fostering empathy 

and understanding within broader society. 

The depth of involvement exhibited by church 

communities sets them apart and acts as a 

powerful voice that can be trusted, as they 

are deeply invested in the lives of those they 

serve, offering sustained support and advocacy. 

Their engagement allows them to bear 

witness to the realities faced by refugees and 

asylum seekers, informing their advocacy efforts 

and ensuring tangible changes in policies 

and practices to address systemic challenges 

that are beyond even the control of local government 

who are themselves limited in how 

they can assist. 

The relationships between local government 

and other service providers have not only 

transformed lives, but have also strengthened 

communities by ensuring that the voices of 

the most vulnerable are heard and acted upon. 

This evaluation demonstrates how faith-based 

groups and local authorities can work effectively 

together in meeting the needs of their 

communities. 

Recommendations 

The report provides practical recommendations for individuals, churches and faith-based organisations 

to further support refugee integration. Whether you are able to volunteer to assist with 

a 32 week ESOL language class, or you are a church leader wanting to reach out to your local 

community, or you want to learn how you can make a difference to the lives of asylum seekers, 

these recommendations have come from the success stories of the example found through years 

of service in the community in Southampton. 

• Establish English language cafes 

to create safe spaces to ask questions, 

share experiences and build 

friendships while learning English. 

• Facilitate opportunities for building 

bridges between host communities 

and new arrivals to enable 

long-lasting connections which 

combat isolation and lead to 

greater participation in the community. 

• Provide essential practical support 

during critical stages (awaiting 

a decision) to have a transformative 

impact on the physical 

and mental wellbeing of asylum 

seekers as they undergo the asylum 

application process 

• Provide training and support to 

leaders and volunteer teams to 

ensure that there is greater availability 

of credible support that is 

sustainable. 

• Ensure your church meetings are 

accessible, welcoming and appropriate 

for people from all cultures 

and backgrounds, not just those 

you are most familiar with. 

• Train and empower church members 

to welcome, engage with and 

support those from different cultures 

and backgrounds. 


15

1) Introduction 

Increasing numbers of people fleeing oppression, 

war and the threat on their lives are coming 

to the UK in the hope of safety and support. 

Between October 2022 and September 

2023 there were 75,340 new asylum applications 

(relating to 93,296 people) in the UK, and 

of these the most common nationalities were 

Afghan, Iranian, Albanian and Indian. Only 37% 

of asylum seekers arrived by small boat. Many 

others came to the UK via other means (e.g. 

plane) or were in the UK already and claimed 

asylum whilst here and 112,431 offers of a 

safe and legal route were made to come and 

remain in the UK. 

At the end of September 2023, there were 

125,173 applications waiting for an initial decision 

relating to 165,411 people, which was a 

7% fall since June 2023. Only 23 asylum seekers 

were moved from the UK back to countries 

they had travelled through. 

Between October 2022 and September 2023, 

41,858 asylum applications were decided 

which is 2.5 times as many as the previous 

year. 75% of initial decisions were positive - the 

highest rate since 1990 (Home Office, 2023). 

At the end of September 2023, 123,758 people 

were on asylum support - about 56,000 in hotels, 

63,000 in other asylum accommodation 

and 4,750 on subsistence only. 

Many people and families that arrived during 

a period of rapidly changing legislation face 

significant uncertainty as to their future and 

the likelihood of homelessness, destitution, 

deportation, exploitation, and deteriorating 

mental health as they undergo the journey of 

applying for asylum and integrating into life in 

the UK 

Following changes in the law, people seeking 

asylum in the UK now fall into four categories 

1. Legacy cases – applications prior to 28th 

June 2022. Additional resources at the Home 

Office, the use of questionnaires and the withdrawal 

of applications led to a reduction in the 

number of outstanding cases. Many of those 

whose cases were withdrawn (around 35,000) 

remain in the UK, and those granted refugee 

status only have 28 days to find alternative accommodation. 

2. Arrivals since 28th June 2022 and under 

the Nationality and Borders Act 2022. The application 

backlog was 38,529 at the end of December 

2023. 

Impact of Legislation 

Number of people 

Figure 1 


17

3. Arrivals between 7th March 2023 and 20th 

July 2023 under the Illegal Migration Bill. As of 

31st December 2023, this was 22,448 people 

(including around 500 children). No guidance 

has been published on their status. 

4. Arrivals since 21st July 2023 under the 

Illegal Migration Act. As of 28th December 

2023, this was 33,085 people, and growing. 

Over 18,000 arrived via the Channel during 

this period. The criteria for removal have been 

identified as; entering UK without permission, 

having travelled through a third country where 

they weren’t at risk, not having leave to enter 

or remain. No work is currently being done on 

this backlog and the legal framework is not in 

force. The Rwanda scheme is currently going 

through Parliament and if passed will only offer 

limited spaces. 

The total backlog as of 28th December 2023 

was 98,599 as shown in Figure 1. 

The system that is the gateway to starting a 

new life is also the limitation, often for months 

after a positive decision is made. While they 

wait for a decision, asylum seekers must navigate 

a complex process in a foreign language, 

are not allowed to work and are entitled to receive 

financial support of £49.18 per week if in 

dispersal accommodation or £8.86 per week 

for those in hotel accommodation. . 

Furthermore, the government offers to place 

asylum seekers who don’t have family or connections 

willing to house them, in both initial 

and dispersal accommodation ; however 

these provisions are often inadequate and 

unsafe, abandoning asylum seekers to poor 

living environments with overcrowding, lack 

of essential services such as clean water and 

heating and at risk of digital exclusion through 

lack of internet access, creating barriers to 

healthcare access and social connection. 

The length of time that refugees are made to 

wait is of particular concern. According to the 

Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and 

Immigration, 2021, refugees had to wait on 

average 449 days in 2020 before receiving a 

decision from the Home Office. The impact of 

these circumstances on the physical and mental 

health of individuals, and their ability to integrate 

within society cannot be ignored. 

Mobilised by the goal of helping some of the 

most vulnerable and needy people in Southampton, 

faith groups and community members 

have worked with the local authority to 

provide solutions that lead to lasting change. 

This collective effort demonstrates the transformative 

potential of community engagement 

in the face of systemic challenges. Without the 

lifechanging interventions of the church contributing 

to the support offered to communities 

these injustices will continue to be experienced 

as state provision fails to adequately 

meet even the most basic living conditions. 

Despite a major decrease in applications during 

the COVID-19 pandemic , and smaller 

numbers of people arriving via humanitarian 

routes, the number of asylum claims has been 

quickly increasing to pre-pandemic levels 

and even to the last peak in 2002 at 84,132 

applications . Therefore, local organisations 

are needed even more, not only to meet the 

needs of those who are awaiting an outcome 

and have started to integrate, but to continue 

to respond and intervene with compassion 

and practical support as the number of people 

claiming asylum and being granted protection 

increases. 

Public responses to the increasing numbers 

of asylum claims can vary, especially given 

the prominence and coverage in both national 

politics and the media. The influence of such 

can lead people to overestimate the number 

of refugees coming to the UK disproportionately 

in comparison to other migration groups; 

with the potential to increase fear and create 

resistance against a minority group of people 

arriving in the UK. However, out of the 1.18 million 

people entering the country in the year 

ending June 2023, only 9% (83,000) arrived 

on humanitarian routes , and only 7% (90,000) 

arrived for asylum (with 36% of the total number 

migrating due to work-related visas) . 33% 

(322,000) arrived on work related visas, 39% 

on study related visas (378,000), 7% on family 

related visas (70,000) and 5% arriving on other 

long-term visas (37,000). 

As people continue to arrive in the UK fleeing 

a myriad of atrocities and shocking circumstances 

the response and support that they 

receive from the community has profound implications, 

influencing not only our lives and 

society at large, but also presenting an opportunity 

to extend compassion and assistance 

to those who have already faced such severe 

hardships. 

However, amidst the narrative of challenges 

and hardships stemming from a seemingly unalterable 

system, a different possibility of real 

hope emerges. Over the past 20 years, community 

groups including churches have proactively 

responded to these tangible needs in 

Southampton, showcasing how communities 

can step in and provide lifechanging support. 

From mentoring, employment advice, and 

support with English language, to providing 

housing, food, welcome programmes and legal 

casework advice sessions; people have been 

stepping into the gaps with wide ranging holistic 

support. 

Reasons for entering the UK year ending June 2023 

Not only do these interventions help those 

arriving in the UK feel welcomed and safe, 

make a positive impact on physical and mental 

health and provide expert assistance with 

asylum claims, they enable individuals to begin 

to recover from their trauma and see the possibility 

of integrating into UK society. 

Figure 2 


19

2) Who are asylum seekers, 

refugees, and migrants? 

People arriving in the UK can do so through 

different routes set out by the Home Office. 

They have faced different challenges and as 

a result they have different levels of need. 

Despite these differences, the importance of 

successful integration through the support of 

local communities remains the same. 

In providing definitions and an overview of the 

distinctions between refugees, asylum seekers, 

migrants and legal routes this evaluation 

aims to demonstrate how support should be 

tailored to the various stages and challenges 

faced by those on integration journeys. 

Often interpreted inter-changeably these 

terms combined with the role that the media 

plays in characterising refugees, feeds a cyclical 

relationship that contributes to the forming 

and shifting of national policy, public attitudes, 

and individual responses offered by members 

of society . Furthermore, research shows that 

public perceptions and attitudes towards refugees, 

asylum seekers and migrants impact 

how they are welcomed and integrated into 

host communities. 

Therefore, by clarifying the drivers and differences 

between different stages and groups, 

this section seeks to dispel any potential misconceptions 

regarding the entitlements and 

lived experiences of those arriving seeking 

safety in this country, while demonstrating a 

need for tailored interventions according to 

specific circumstances if successful integration 

is to be achieved. 

ASYLUM SEEKER 

An asylum seeker is someone who has applied 

for refuge in a different country, fearing 

persecution in their country of origin. Asylum 

seekers become recognised as refugees having 

received a decision on their application for 

refugee status. 

In the UK a person can only apply for asylum 

when they are physically in the UK . It is not 

illegal to claim asylum, but it is illegal to enter 

and remain in the UK without official documents 

such as a visa or passport. Having 

submitted an asylum claim, a person is legally 

allowed to remain in the UK. While waiting for a 

decision from the Home Office asylum seekers 

can apply for support (under section 95 of the 

Immigration and Asylum Act 1999), however 

certain rights and the ability to work are temporarily 

restricted. 

REFUGEE 

A refugee, according to the 1951 United Nations 

Convention, is an individual with a 

“well-founded fear of persecution based on 

race, religion, nationality, membership of a 

particular social group, or political opinion” . 

In the UK, refugee status is confirmed by the 

Home Office following a successful asylum application 

where right to remain has been granted. 

For some who don’t qualify for refugee status 

Humanitarian Protection may be offered if 

it isn’t possible to return to their home country . 

Those granted refugee status have permission 

to remain in the UK for a minimum of 5 years, 

and they can work without any restrictions. 

MIGRANT 

A migrant, on the other hand, is someone who 

chooses to move to another country for various 

reasons, such as finding work, education, 

or rejoining family members . Unlike refugees, 

they are not forced to flee their country for 

fear of persecution. 

The process for arrival involves a visa application. 

The length of stay depends on the 

visa, but citizenship or indefinite leave remain 

as options for those who wish to live, work or 

study in the UK for an extended period. 

ECONOMIC MIGRANT/ 

MIGRANT WORKER 

Someone who has moved for work purposes. 

They may be legally here as an EU citizen or a 

non-EU citizen on a work visa, or here working 

illegally with no permit. This is the largest 

group of people being granted permission to 

stay and work in the country, far more than the 

number of people coming to claim asylum or 

on humanitarian routes. 


21

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT 

Someone who is here with no visa granting the 

right to stay and who has not sought asylum, 

or someone who has overstayed their visa or 

gone underground after their asylum claim is 

refused. 

“FAILED”/REFUSED 

ASYLUM SEEKER 

Someone whose claim has been rejected. 

They have no recourse to public funds and are 

liable to be removed from the country. 

PRE-SETTLED STATUS 

Pre-settled status permits holders the rights 

to live, work and study in the UK, but is limited 

to a period of five years. 

SETTLED STATUS / INDEFI- 

NITE LEAVE TO REMAIN 

Indefinite leave to remain, often referred to as 

‘settlement,’ is where refugees are given permission 

for permanent residence in the UK. 

This status grants the freedom to reside, work, 

and pursue studies in the country indefinitely. 

Additionally, having indefinite leave to remain 

means that the holder is able to apply for British 

citizenship. 

OTHER SAFE AND LEGAL 

ROUTES 

In addition to those applying for asylum upon 

arrival, the UK offers a variety of other legal 

entry routes. While some schemes such as 

the UK Resettlement Scheme are global, others 

such as the Afghan Citizens Resettlement 

Scheme are in response to specific world 

events. Whereas anyone can apply for asylum, 

these other legal pathways prioritise people 

who meet the eligibility criteria. The Home 

Office works closely with the United Nations 

High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on 

many schemes to set out which groups of individuals 

are recognised as refugees, the specific 

level of risk, and prioritise which groups 

get resettled using the following categories : 

• Legal and / or physical protection 

needs 

• Survivors of violence and / or 

torture 

• Medical needs 

• Women and girls at risk 

• Family reunification 

• Children and adolescents at risk 

• Lack of foreseeable alternative 

durable solutions 

RESETTLEMENT 

Resettlement refers to the global resettlement 

scheme launched in 2021 which sees people 

who have already been recognised as refugees 

by the UNHCR, voluntarily transferred to 

another country. The UK’s three resettlement 

schemes are the UK Resettlement Scheme 

(UKRS), the Community Sponsorship Scheme 

and the Mandate Resettlement Scheme. 

UKRS - The UKRS is led by national government 

in partnership with the UNHCR and takes 

into account national and local authority budgets 

to determine the number of refugees that 

can be supported. 

Community Sponsorship Scheme - While 

the UKRS is led by national government, the 

Community Sponsorship Scheme is led by civic 

society and allows local communities to directly 

support refugees being resettled in the 

UK . Community sponsorship requires a lot of 

resource as sponsors become responsible for 

supporting the resettled family with housing 

for two years, in addition to a range of additional 

activities that aid integration including 

assistance organising English language tuition, 

employment and social welfare. 

Mandate Resettlement Scheme - The Mandate 

Resettlement Scheme, launched in 1995, 

resettles refugees from across the world with 

their close family members who already have 

settled status in the UK . The UNHCR decides 

whether a refugee needs to be resettled. They 

must also be either a child, spouse, parent or 

grandparent (over the age of 65) of the person 

who already has settled status in the UK. 

AFGHAN CITIZENS RESET- 

TLEMENT SCHEME (ACRS) 

Launched in 2022 the UK government has 

pledged to resettle up to 20,000 Afghan citizens 

through ARCS. The scheme seeks to resettle 

and provide safety to people who have 

either assisted the UK in Afghanistan, are a 

vulnerable group (at risk women and girls fearing 

abuse, religious minorities and LGBTQ+), 

or are facing risk due to standing up for values 

of democracy, women’s rights and freedom of 

speech. 

UKRAINE SCHEMES 

There are currently four schemes in the UK 

to help Ukrainians find safety from the Russian 

invasion of Ukraine . They are the Ukraine 

Family Scheme, Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship 

Scheme, Ukraine Extension Scheme and 

the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme. 

AFGHAN RELOCATIONS 

AND ASSISTANCE POLICY 

(ARAP) 

Launched in 2021, the ARAP provides the opportunity 

for eligible Afghan citizens, their 

partners and children to relocate to the UK 

(Home Office, 2023). This policy seeks to relocate 

Afghan citizens who are in situations of 

high risk or imminent threat due to being employees 

of UK Government or people who provided 

assistance such as linguistic services to 

aid the UK’s Armed Forces in Afghanistan from 

2001 onwards. 


23

The Ukraine Family Scheme grants visas to 

applicants to live, work and study if they have 

family members already living in the UK. 

The Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme 

is open to any Ukraine national and their family 

wishing to come to live, work and study in 

the UK for 3 years. It allows the community to 

provide support by sponsoring families and 

providing housing for a minimum of 6 months . 

The Ukraine Extension Scheme (which closes 

on the 16th May 2024) provides visas enabling 

Ukrainians and their family members to remain 

in the UK if they have previously had permission 

between March 2022 and November 

2023, or previous permission that had expired 

on or after January 2022 . 

The Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme 

is for those that have been given permission 

to be in the UK under one of the Ukraine 

Schemes and enables them to apply for a further 

18 months permission to stay in the UK 

and can be applied for up to 3 months before 

an existing visa is due to expire. Information is 

yet to be provided from the UK government on 

this new scheme. 

HONG KONG BRITISH 

NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) 

Launched in January 2021, this route to the UK 

supports Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) 

by granting visas to work and study in 

the UK for 5 years, in addition to the possibility 

of applying for British citizenship. 

The route was launched in response to the imposition 

of national security law on Hong Kong 

by the Chinese Government in 2020; a law that 

threatens political freedoms such as freedom 

of speech and freedom of assembly through 

strict and brutal policing. 

The UK has created this safe entry route as 

British Nationals (Overseas) is a form of British 

nationality created after the handover of Hong 

Kong to China in 1997 enabling people from 

Hong Kong to maintain connection to British 

Nationality. BN(O) status had to be applied for 

before June 1997, is valid for life, but cannot be 

passed down to children. 

BN(O) status does not entitle an automatic 

right to live in the UK, meaning that people 

wishing to immigrate to the UK need to do so 

through immigration control. By creating this 

bespoke safe passage, the UK Government 

creates a more effective route for BN(O)s to 

enter the UK and find safety from political oppression. 

The nationality of people arriving in the UK for 

humanitarian reasons varies year on year depending 

on the different schemes available, 

and the legislation. In 2021 the top 15 most 

common countries where asylum seekers 

came from can be seen in Figure 3. In 2022 the 

breakdown had changed, with 31% of asylum 

seekers being of Asian nationality, 24% being 

European, Middle Eastern 23% and African 

making up 17% of the total. The shift in these 

statistics over just two years demonstrates 

how global crisis, maltreatment and hardships 

are continuing, further cementing the need for 

ongoing, specialist aid that takes into account 

the differing yet ongoing causes for people 

forced to come and find safety. 

CAUSES OF 

DISPLACEMENT 

Individuals and their families may vary caseto-case 

regarding the reasons they are forced 

to flee their homes, yet they are united in the 

shared hope of finding safety from persecution 

and threat. While it is hard to imagine the 

atrocities and challenges affecting communities 

and forcing them to flee for fear of their 

life due to war, natural disasters and famine, it 

is perhaps harder still to imagine the fear experienced 

because of persecution because of 

an individual’s identity, political opinion or religious 

belief. 

One group is not more deserving of support 

than another, but for the purpose of this evaluation 

in encouraging faith-based groups to 

continue and build upon the work with marginalised 

groups it is important to draw attention 

to the fact that many of the people seeking 

support do so for something that can often 

be taken for granted in the UK; the freedom of 

their faith. 

Whether it be through governmental restrictions 

on religious groups or through social 

hostilities committed by individuals and communities, 

countless people around the world 

are still being persecuted for their faith. Ranging 

from derogatory statements, intimidation, 

stereotyping and threats to property, damage, 

attacks, forced displacement and even murder, 

Open Doors (a Christian advocacy group) 

has calculated that at least 360 million Christians 

are experiencing extreme levels of persecution. 

Religious persecution is increasing. Out of 198 

countries in 2019, it was assessed that 190 

saw religious groups experience harassment 

and the number of countries where Christians 

experienced persecution increased from 102 

to 153 (77% of analysed countries) between 

2013 and 2019 . While people may flee their 

country because of Christian persecution, it is 

also true that others will flee that same country 

because of stringent laws restricting sexuality, 

political dissidence and other expressions of 

religion. British values that uphold respect and 

tolerance, the rule of law, democracy and individual 

liberty are values not shared across the 

world, and various minority groups in different 

societies will not necessarily share the same 

faith as Christians, but will share the same 

fate, with targeted discrimination, time in prison 

and even death penalties for their beliefs or 

practices. 

Figure 3 


25

The same report noted that while social hostilities 

related to religion declined in 2019, more 

religious groups experienced harassment in 

more countries by their governments . Some 

governments not only have the power to limit 

conversion between religions, ban religious 

literature and texts (including the Bible), turn a 

blind eye to discrimination in the legal system; 

but they also have the resources to monitor individuals’ 

activities too . In these countries it is 

hard to access support from those wanting to 

help, or even shift opinions as it is the government 

that may then prosecute anyone who is 

deemed to be against the state. 

economic instability, environmental disasters, 

gender-based violence, human rights violations 

and the discrimination of LGBTQ+ communities. 

Many face the same fate without the 

help and support provided, despite having a 

different faith. 

However, amidst the differences of ideologies, 

faiths, and beliefs, the Christian community in 

Southampton seeks to offer support to anyone 

in need of help, regardless of religious affiliation 

or background. 

Christians however are not the only people 

facing such violent and dangerous acts against 

them. Pew Research Centre’s study on harassment 

in 198 countries reported that Muslims 

were harassed in 139 different countries, 

Jews in 88 countries and Hindus in 19 . Alongside 

religious persecution, various other factors 

contribute to forced displacement. These 

include political oppression, ethnic conflicts, 


27

3) The process of applying 

for asylum 

The application process that leads to an asylum 

seeker being granted leave to remain is 

not easy, nor is it simple. Not only is it of paramount 

importance in determining whether 

a person seeking asylum may stay in the UK, 

but it impacts how applicants integrate as they 

await a decision, and it affects their quality of 

life after a decision is made. Before exploring 

the challenges experienced through this process, 

this section describes the process of applying 

for refugee status and then seeking to 

settle into a new country. 

THE PROCESS: 

Claiming asylum 

Entering the UK and claiming asylum are critical 

steps in the process. Asylum cannot be 

claimed prior to arrival to the UK in the same 

way in which a visa application is made and 

granted. Therefore, in order to avoid deportation 

people arriving in the UK should claim 

asylum as quickly as possible. For those who 

claim asylum immediately upon arrival at an 

airport or port, an immigration officer will conduct 

a screening interview. Various reasons 

may hinder individuals from claiming asylum 

immediately, such as lacking a passport or arriving 

on a work visa. 

The screening interview 

If asylum is claimed on arrival, a screening interview 

is conducted by an immigration officer 

at the airport or port of arrival. However, if 

claimed later, it takes place at a screening unit. 

This is the first interview that asylum seekers 

take part in. During this interview, individuals 

are questioned about why they are seeking 

asylum and the journey they undertook. Failure 

to convince the authorities that there are 

sufficient grounds to need asylum in the UK 

may lead to the individual being sent to a detention 

centre. 

Temporary initial accommodation 

Asylum seekers are placed in temporary initial 

accommodation centres before they are 

dispersed to longer term housing. Often, refugees 

are placed in shared housing or hostels, 

where they receive the most basic amenities 

and support services. 

Dispersal aims to prevent an overwhelming 

concentration of asylum seekers in a particular 

city or local authority. Previously in the UK 

cities and local authorities could sign up to be 

a dispersal city that would receive refugees, 

however this system is no longer in place as 

the spread of where asylum seekers were 

housed remained very uneven. 

Dispersal accommodation is when individuals 

are moved to new accommodation 

in a different location. If asylum seekers lack 

housing or financial resources, they can seek 

asylum support. This assistance provides a 

small amount of money and accommodation, 

although individuals typically have limited control 

over their living situation unless someone 

offers them a place, for example with family 

members. 

The adult Streamlined Asylum Processing 

Questionnaire was introduced on 

23rd February 2023 by the Home Office where 

some people seeking asylum are only required 

to complete a questionnaire instead of having 

a substantive interview. The policy was 

designed to streamline applications for those 

from countries with a high number of granted 

claims, including Afghanistan, Eritrea, Libya, 

Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Iran and Sudan. 

The substantive interview is a detailed 

examination by the Home Office seeking evidence 

and reasons behind the asylum claim. 

These interviews, whether in person or conducted 

online via video link, are exhaustive 

and can last several hours. 

Following the substantive interview, the Home 

Office makes a decision, a process that may 

take many months, even over a year. A positive 

decision results in the announcement of being 

granted leave to remain in the UK, either as a 

refugee or under humanitarian protection. In 

case of a refusal, individuals have the option 

to appeal the decision. 


29

4) The challenges faced upon 

arrival in the UK 

Integration into a new society with a different language and systems is challenging and disorientating 

for people arriving on visas that allow a person to work and find accommodation from the 

point of arrival, but for those going through the asylum system the challenges faced awaiting a 

decision have a profound impact upon their physical and mental health, as well as their quality 

of life once a decision has been made. Limited government support combined with the delays in 

receiving a decision due to an ineffective system isn’t enough on its own to stop asylum seekers 

and refugees from escaping the risks of poverty, homelessness, and ill health. 

In order to best provide interventions that have maximum impact in the lives of these people, it is 

important to understand the challenges that they face. 

The temporal 

The temporal aspect of applying for asylum 

and recognition of refugee status is especially 

challenging. On one hand people seeking asylum 

are expected to respond within days and 

at short notice as they progress through the 

stages of their application, yet on the other it 

can take up to a year to get a response from 

the Home Office. This prolonged waiting period 

exacts a profound toll on mental health, 

leaving individuals in a state of perpetual uncertainty 

for months, unable to establish roots 

or engage in productive work, unable to start 

building their life, move on from the traumas 

experienced, and unsure what the future will 

look like and whether they will be allowed to 

remain. 

According to the ‘Statistics relating to the Illegal 

Migration Act’ adhoc release, dated 29th 

October 2023, there were 122,585 main case 

applicants awaiting an initial decision. Of this 

number 27% were legacy cases and 89,332 

were flow cases; revealing that to this day 

some 33,253 people have yet to receive a 

response on their initial decision from before 

2008! 

The existence of enduring legacy cases underscores 

the persistent struggles of individuals 

who linger in a state of uncertainty, grappling 

with conditions that are not only detrimental to 

their mental health, but also hinder their ability 

to work and exacerbate the prevailing uncertainty 

regarding their fate. 

The technical 

One of the most daunting aspects is the sheer 

complexity of the system that people seeking 

asylum need to navigate in order to make their 

claim. Providing enough of the relevant evidence 

to substantiate the claim is a formidable 

task, as refugees often find themselves grappling 

with unfamiliar legal requirements. 

When I came at the beginning 

everything was new. I didn’t know what 

would be my next step. I didn’t know 

what was happening or what was 

going to happen 

– CLEAR Client receiving help with their asylum claim 

When I came at the beginning everything was new. I didn’t know what 

would be my next step. I didn’t know what was happening or what was 

going to happen or now 




31

The complexity extends beyond merely recounting 

their experiences to the Home Office 

or an immigration officer; it involves understanding 

the nuanced legal criteria that govern 

asylum decisions. 

The claim for asylum is made more difficult 

for people who are applying with their family. 

The process of adding family members as 

‘dependants’ is intricate, and the connections 

need to be meticulously documented to bolster 

their case. This involves not only presenting 

individual stories of persecution, but also 

demonstrating and evidencing a comprehensive 

narrative that captures the interdependence 

and shared vulnerabilities experienced. 

Additionally, the landscape of asylum and refugee 

policies is highly dynamic and subject 

to frequent changes that significantly impact 

the chances of successful claims. Remaining 

not only aware but having an understanding 

of these policies so that they can benefit the 

claim is crucial, as it directly influences the 

strategies refugees employ in presenting their 

cases. 

The changes and volatility in policies underscores 

the importance of seeking timely and 

accurate guidance, creating an additional layer 

of difficulty for those navigating the system. 

It would be challenging even for native English 

speakers to navigate the requirements needed 

to form a case, but this is compounded due to 

the formidable language barrier that some refugees 

face. It makes it not only challenging to 

understand what is being required, but arduous 

to articulate their experiences accurately. 

Miscommunication can lead to critical misunderstandings, 

which potentially jeopardise the 

success of their asylum claims. 



The trauma 

Refugees seeking asylum face a daunting challenge 

as they navigate the process of having 

to recount traumatic experiences to establish 

the validity of their claims. The very nature of 

their ordeal, often marked by persecution and 

violence, makes it extremely difficult to revisit 

the painful memories embedded in their journey 

to safety. 

One of the most significant obstacles lies in 

the often invisible and silent trauma that survivors 

carry with them. These individuals have 

endured unimaginable horrors, and a compassionate 

and supportive environment for processing 

and healing from their experiences is 

needed. However, the asylum application process 

compels them to relive these agonising 

moments as they articulate their narratives to 

justify their need for refuge. This harrowing 

task not only takes an emotional toll on the applicants 

but also exposes them to an additional 

layer of vulnerability in front of a government 

and people that they don’t know. 

For people seeking asylum, placing trust in a 

new government is a challenge. The very officials 

responsible for reviewing their asylum 

claims may evoke memories of the oppressive 

forces they are seeking to claim refuge from. 

Therefore, it can be hard to know who to trust. 

Being in a new country and placed in an unknown 

city without yet having built a community 

is frightening and lonely, and can easily 

aggravate feelings of isolation. 

The ubiquitous sense of the loss of home can 

be for many reasons including their detachment 

from family members, their home country 

being changed beyond recognition through 

political changes or even literal loss of home 

through war and bombings. This grief is a 

source of sadness and often of trauma that 

can impact their health, mental and physical 

as well as their wellbeing as they resettle in 

the UK. 

Housing and location 

Asylum seekers are placed in temporary accommodations 

where they share living spaces 

with fellow seekers. This communal living arrangement 

frequently results in overcrowded 

conditions, compromising not only individual 

privacy, but also personal space. In 2021 the 

Refugee Council (a leading nationwide charity 

working with refugees) noted that there had 

been a 27% increase in families living in single 

hotel rooms. 

In addition to the overcrowding, the quality of 

these temporary lodgings varies widely, with 

reports revealing substandard living conditions. 

Issues such as poor hygiene, insufficient 

heating and inadequate facilities contribute to 

a challenging environment for those already 

grappling with the challenges of seeking asylum. 

The buildings can often be of poor quality 

with examples of crumbling ceilings, high levels 

of damp, infestations of rats due to poor 

rubbish disposal; as well as lack of security 

and adequate locks on doors. Furthermore, 

the lack of facilities such as computers and 

Wifi hinders access to support and systems 

through which the gateway is online. 

The dispersal process adds another layer of 

complexity to the housing dilemma. Asylum 

seekers are subject to being moved from their 

initial accommodation to different locations, 

disrupting any sense of stability they may have 

gained, often with very short notice. This constant 

upheaval and uncertainty really hinders 

the journey of acclimating to a new environment 

and establishing connections within local 

communities. The experience of being moved 

about during the dispersal process without 

much notice, without any choice, further adds 

to the struggle experienced by refugees. It not 

only disrupts their attempts to build a semblance 

of normalcy and life, but also hampers 

their ability to integrate into the society they 

hope to call home. 

The conditions which people seeking asylum 

(and those awaiting a decision) face is not 

only one of complex legal processes, but also 

a challenge with regards to human dignity and 

wellbeing. In order to combat these injustices 



stable and good quality living conditions need 

to be ensured while meeting the holistic needs 

that lead to improved mental health and wellbeing. 

This will aid integration and contribution 

to community life and society at large. 

Employment 

One of the significant challenges faced by 

asylum seekers is the prohibition on employment 

while awaiting the outcome of their asylum 

claims. This restriction deprives individuals 

of the opportunity to earn a living legally, 

hindering their ability to support themselves 

and those accompanying them. The consequence 

is a dependency on the accommodation 

and sustenance provided by the Home 

Office which often falls short of providing the 

necessary conditions for a healthy life. The 

financial allowance is £49.18 for each person 

in a household (approximately £7 a day to live 

off). Moreover this support is only available 

for those in asylum accommodation, not those 

who are placed in hotel accommodation which 

places these people at even greater disadvantage. 

This inadequacy is particularly glaring given 

the traumatic experiences and additional 

needs that asylum seekers have faced in their 

journey to the UK. 

The prohibition on working not only imposes 

financial constraints, but also confines individuals 

to subpar living conditions, exacerbating 

the difficulties they have already encountered. 

The immigration rules do allow asylum seekers 

to request permission to work, but only in jobs 

listed as experiencing a shortage in the UK. 

Part of the issue we have is 

overthinking what you’re going to do 

next. You can’t work and hustle and 

you feel down not being able to do 

anything with your time. You don’t 

want to just stay at home but you have 

nothing to do otherwise 



33

Asylum seekers are however able to volunteer 

while they await a decision. Yet, while 

this may aid future employment opportunities 

in the long term by gaining work experience it 

doesn’t help mitigate the challenges that are 

experienced as they await a decision. This 

limited concession underscores the systemic 

challenges within the asylum process. Even if 

individuals are waiting for a decision on their 

initial claim or a fresh claim, the opportunities 

for employment are severely restricted, 

emphasising the shortcomings of a system 

that fails to provide meaningful pathways for 

self-sufficiency. 

Furthermore, the provision that permits work 

after 12 months without a decision is insufficient 

and fails to address the harsh reality of 

the asylum-seeking experience. The prospect 

of spending a year in crowded and unsanitary 

accommodations, unable to progress in life, is 

a stark contrast to the professional lives that 

many asylum seekers once led. This stark 

transition not only impedes personal development, 

but also reinforces a sense of helplessness 

and frustration. 

In essence, the inability to work during the 

asylum application process presents a multifaceted 

challenge that extends beyond mere 

financial limitations. It encompasses the denial 

of autonomy, the perpetuation of inadequate 

living conditions, and the absence of a reasonable 

timeline for integrating into the workforce. 

As policymakers contemplate immigration reforms, 

addressing these issues becomes imperative 

to create a more humane and inclusive 

system that recognises the potential and 

resilience of asylum seekers seeking refuge in 

a new country. 

Language barriers 

Navigating the asylum application process is 

compounded by formidable language barriers 

that permeate various aspects of an individual’s 

experience. The impact of these barriers 

extends beyond mere linguistic challenges, 

influencing the emotional and practical dimensions 

of the asylum-seeking journey. Firstly, 

language barriers create a pervasive sense of 

vulnerability, affecting how applicants interpret 

and respond to the intricate questions posed 

during the application process. The reliance 

on others for accurate translation introduces 

an element of uncertainty, making it challenging 

for applicants to fully trust the information 

they are providing. 

Moreover, the language barrier extends beyond 

the application itself, encompassing everyday 

tasks such as understanding what evidence is 

required and when, or even figuring out how 

to navigate public transport for the application 

process. These seemingly mundane challenges 

compound the stress and isolation felt by 

people seeking asylum, particularly when residing 

in dispersal accommodation alongside 

others who may also be grappling with language 

barriers. The inability to connect with 

fellow residents and engage with the broader 

community becomes an additional hurdle, hindering 

the development of a supportive social 

network during what can be prolonged periods 

of uncertainty. 

The lack of availability of formal, effective and 

accessible ESOL provision within a location, 

and of qualified teachers makes it difficult to 

find opportunities to get tailored input and 

learn the host language. 

Language barriers also cast a shadow over 

substantive interviews, where applicants may 

grapple with the uncertainty of whether they 

are being accurately understood. This uncertainty 

introduces an element of doubt, potentially 

impacting the fairness and accuracy of 

the asylum determination process. Additionally, 

these language challenges influence how 

individuals access essential resources and 

support systems, further exacerbating their 

vulnerability in an unfamiliar environment. 

In essence, the pervasive nature of language 

barriers throughout the asylum application 

journey underscores the need for comprehensive 

support structures that address not only 

the linguistic challenges, but also the emotional 

and social dimensions of the asylum-seeking 

experience. By recognising and actively 

mitigating these barriers, policymakers can 

contribute to a more equitable and humane 

asylum process that ensures the fair and just 

treatment of those seeking refuge. 

Access to legal 

and other advice 

With the reduction in legal aid and increasing 

demand for immigration advice, accessing a 

solicitor can be difficult. In Southampton there 

is only one firm offering this support (Leonards). 

Recent initiatives such as the Hampshire 

Immigration Advice Partnership, facilitated by 

Refugee Action, have brought together practitioners 

to map provision and look for ways to 

address these needs. A report by Dr Jo Wilding 

identified a number of ‘Immigration Deserts’ in 

the UK and concluded that “there is not enough 

immigration and asylum legal advice available 

country-wide and this leaves people at risk of 

forced return to a country where they face serious 

harm, of exploitation of the kinds referred 

to in the Modern Slavery Act, of remaining in a 

violent or abusive relationship, or of extreme 

poverty and deprivation of access to essential 

services because they cannot regularise or 

prove their immigration status”. 

The capacity of advice agencies to provide input 

on topics such as housing, debt or benefits 

is also under increasing demand. 


35

5) The role of faith groups 

Why should faith groups 

respond? 

The goal of this evaluation is to encourage 

other faith groups and Christian organisations 

to make a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable 

people by stepping up and supporting 

in these challenging areas. This is founded on 

the evidence provided in this evaluation that 

people can make a difference, and for Christians 

the Bible lays out principles of welcoming 

strangers and being hospitable that underpins 

intentional programmes that support asylum 

seekers and refugees. 

Grounded in the principles of love, justice and 

unity, the response to the refugee crisis is not 

merely a humanitarian gesture, nor just a point 

for our prayer journals, but a reflection of the 

transformative power of the good news in action. 

This instruction to love one another and 

help the poor and vulnerable runs throughout 

both the Old and New Testament. 

The Bible emphasises the importance of seeking 

justice and mercy for the oppressed and 

marginalised. Psalm 82:3-4 calls believers to 

defend the weak, uphold the cause of the poor 

and deliver the needy from the hand of the 

wicked. Many refugees have fled persecution, 

violence and injustice in their homelands, and 

Christians are called to stand in solidarity with 

them, advocating for their rights and providing 

tangible support. 

At the heart of the Christian message lies the 

concept of love for one another, encapsulated 

in the commandment to love our neighbours 

as ourselves (Matthew 22:39; Luke 10:27). 

When asked “who is our neighbour?” Jesus 

challenges believers to embody sacrificial love 

and selflessness in their interactions with others 

as he shared the parable of the Good Samaritan 

(Luke 10:25-37). A parable that many 

Christians have grown up hearing since their 

Sunday School days, a Samaritan goes out of 

his way to care for a wounded stranger, disregarding 

cultural and societal barriers to offer 

aid and compassion. 

Not only is this act of practical compassion a 

challenge to Christians due to the tense political 

nature of the relationship between the 

wounded man and the Samaritan (they were 

deemed enemies); but also, for the fact that 

Jesus showed how religious figures walked on 

without helping the wounded man. 

Following the example of the Samaritan, Christians 

are called to transcend political, cultural, 

and societal divides to extend practical assistance 

to refugees, embodying the radical 

love and compassion of Christ. Christians will 

therefore not just look to the needs of their 

own churches and congregations but respond 

to needs regardless of people’s backgrounds. 

Another parable told by Jesus about the separation 

of the sheep and goats, in Matthew 25, 

highlights how helping the hungry, the thirsty, 

the poor, the sick, and the ‘stranger’ is a distinguishable 

outworking of the life of a Christian. 

Jesus says that anyone who helps one of 

these people has helped Jesus himself. 

Many churches have overseas missionaries 

and partners sent to nations across the world 

with the goal of spreading the gospel to other 

people groups who may not have heard of 

Jesus. Based on the Great Commission to “Go 

and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 

28:16) they seek to share their faith through a 

mixture of church planting, Bible teaching and 

humanitarian support. 

However, the increasing numbers of people 

fleeing from the nations to the UK means that 

the opportunity for sharing and reaching the 

nations is made possible closer to home within 

the changing fabric of the communities within 

which churches are already a part. 


37

How should faith groups 

respond? 

Asylum seekers, refugees, and displaced people 

are coming to the UK from other nations 

and are on our doorstep. While overseas mission 

partners certainly have their value, the 

opportunity presented with people arriving in 

the UK is not only for a few in the congregation 

but for the whole Christian community to actively 

respond to. The Great Commission can 

start at home and still impact the nations. As in 

the parable of the Good Samaritan, this evaluation 

challenges and encourages Christians 

to look out for and support the people who are 

already on the path in front of them, the people 

that they pass on the day-to-day journey 

of life in the UK. 

The values of kindness, generosity and 

self-sacrifice are at the heart of the Good Samaritan 

story and they are also the very values 

that are needed to help people feel welcome 

in our towns and cities. Faith groups can reflect 

on how these values are being exhibited 

in their local communities – how is kindness 

being shown to those new to the area? How 

are we being generous to new arrivals? What 

time, energy or finance are we making available 

to welcome people? If faith groups then 

find themselves wanting to do more, how exactly 

do they go about it? 

It helps firstly to accept that a faith group can’t 

meet every need; trying to do so would not 

only be inappropriate, but also overwhelming 

and exhausting. Other agencies will have 

lead and supporting roles in this field but faith 

groups can perform some of the key elements 

of welcome particularly well. 

Teacher, which is the greatest 

commandment in the Law? 

Jesus 

Teacher, 

replied: 

which is the 

Love 

greatest 

the 

commandment 

Lord 

in 

your 

the Law? 

God 

with all 

Jesus 

your 

replied: Love 

heart 

the Lord your 

and 

God 

with 

with all your 

all 

heart 

your 

soul and 

and 

with 

with all your 

all 

soul 

your 

and with 

mind’.” 

all your mind’.” 

… “And 

the second 

“And the second 

is 

is 

like 

like it: ‘Love 

it: 

your 

‘Love 

neighbour 

your 

as yourself. 

neighbour as yourself. 

- Matthew 22:36-39 NIV 

- Matthew 22:36-39 NIV 

Some of the responses that have been particularly effective are listed below, and range from 

small acts of kindness like providing some clothing through to radical hospitality by offering a 

home for a Ukrainian family. 

Here are some HOW’s for faith groups to consider: 

• Welcome new arrivals 

• Become a ‘refugee friendly’ 

church 

• Volunteer with an organisation 

that provides advice and get 

trained up to offer accredited immigration 

advice 

• Provide practical items like bicycles, 

food, clothing 

• Partner financially with a local 

organisation supporting asylum 

seekers and refugees 

• Join ‘Refugees at Home’ to host a 

refugee (https://refugeesathome. 

org/) 

• Host someone from Ukraine 

• Consider providing support 

through the government’s Community 

Sponsorship scheme 

• Start visiting a local detention 

centre 

• Help asylum seekers whose claim 

has been refused 

• Speak up for asylum seekers and 

refugees 

• Help refugees integrate into society 

– get trained up as an ESOL 

teacher, provide IT drop in facilities 

• Pray 

More information on some of these ideas can 

be found here: 

https://refugeeresourcecentre.org.uk/howcan-you-help/ 


39

6) Introduction 

to the evaluation 

This evaluation of impact research was commissioned by Love Southampton in response to the 

growing need and increasing number of challenges faced by people seeking asylum nationally; 

as well as a recognition of the work carried out in Southampton throughout the last 23 years. The 

project was structured and overseen in conjunction with Love Southampton’s Independent Chair, 

members of the Executive Board with the support of City Life Education and Action for Refugees 

(CLEAR) and the trustees of Southampton City of Sanctuary. 

This evaluation has combined an in-depth review of research papers, government publications 

and statistics, internal desktop data and over 30 interviews (see Appendix 1). With the goal of 

demonstrating the scale of support offered by Southampton faith-based organisations in addition 

to the depth of impact as experienced in individuals’ lives, this evaluation employs a mixed 

methods approach. 

Utilising internal quantitative data from CLEAR including attendance reports, engagement information 

and financial data ensures a descriptive and objective account of their outputs over the 

last 20 years. 

Semi-structured interviews were conducted 

over six months with clients, learners, volunteers 

and community partners from Southampton 

City Council. The interviews with 

clients and learners not only confirmed the 

challenges found in the literature review, but 

demonstrated the impact and difference that 

the interventions had in their lives. Including 

these voices was imperative in understanding 

and evidencing not only the struggles experienced, 

but how lives were changed due to the 

services provided. It was important to provide 

a space to look deeper than descriptive statistics 

relating to employment and finances and 

discover the often-missed experiences and 

impact on mental health and social engagement. 

Interviews with volunteers were crucial 

in understanding the activities, challenges and 

journey involved in providing and maintaining 

such support and enables the lessons to be 

shared more widely through this evaluation. 

Having set out the national context and sought 

to develop an understanding of the journey and 

challenges faced by people seeking asylum on 

their arrival in the UK, this impact evaluation 

seeks to determine and describe the specific 

outputs achieved through the interventions 

carried out by CLEAR and a number of organisations 

within the Love Southampton network, 

the processes and organisational learning that 

has enabled these outcomes to have been 

reached, and the challenges that impact the 

continued delivery of such initiatives. 

While there are many agencies involved in 

making Southampton a welcoming city to 

those immigrating to the city, this evaluation 

focusses on the evidence and casts light on 

the importance of the work carried out by the 

faith-based communities by exploring the impacts 

both in the lives of individual clients who 

had accessed the services, as well as the wider 

community partners who have a strategic 

stake in the support and provision from a local 

infrastructure perspective. The purpose of focussing 

on this area is not to be exclusive, but 

to help other similar organisations to develop 

their programmes and services to better support 

and welcome those seeking sanctuary. 

Finally, this impact evaluation will seek to assess 

the impact and importance of the work 

that has been carried out, the difficulties in 

sustaining such provision, and the challenges 

that refugees and people seeking asylum 

continue to face before proposing recommendations 

to enable increased reach and scope 

in providing life-changing support to individuals 

and by these individuals to communities 

at large. 

The evaluation reviews the role of CLEAR and 

Love Southampton, an initiative of churches 

and charities working together to support 

those who are most vulnerable. Love Southampton 

supports and represents projects and 

initiatives that provide help and support to 

vulnerable people in Southampton. Many of 

the initiatives undertaken by those within the 

Love Southampton network impact the lives of 


41

efugees, including projects that target food 

poverty, debt, mental wellbeing and students; 

however, this evaluation focusses specifically 

on the work undertaken that supports vulnerable 

people claiming asylum or refuge in the 

UK. 

Refugee and asylum seeker 

context in Southampton 

Southampton is situated on the south coast of 

England and is a vibrant and historically significant 

city that serves as a major port and 

commercial hub. 

Southampton, designated as a dispersal city 

since 2001, continues to play a significant role 

in providing accommodation for Home Office 

Assisted Asylum seekers. Over the years, the 

city has maintained a dispersal system with a 

substantial capacity, having over 150 spaces 

for individuals seeking asylum. To address the 

accommodation needs of asylum seekers, in 

2001 Southampton City Council allocated 500 

beds at any given time through the National 

Asylum Seekers Service. In 2004, Southampton 

had around 3,000 refugees granted leave 

to remain in the city . However, the nature of 

dispersal cities means that individuals can be 

relocated with minimal notice, highlighting the 

flexibility required in managing the accommodation 

of those seeking asylum. 

As of the end of June 2023, Southampton continues 

to provide support to asylum seekers, 

with a total of 370 asylum seekers in the city, 

an average of 15 asylum seekers per 10,000 

population . Compared with other cities Southampton 

is similar to both Plymouth and Bristol 

(14 and 15 asylum seekers per 10,000 population), 

has more asylum seekers per population 

than Brighton (who have 9 asylum seekers per 

10,000 population), and has less than Cardiff 

and Swansea (38 and 47 respectively) . 

Among the 370 asylum seekers in Southampton, 

169 were accommodated in contingency 

housing, such as hotels, while 183 were in dispersed 

accommodation. In addition to asylum 

seekers Southampton has welcomed 185 Afghan 

refugees through the Afghan Citizens 

Resettlement Scheme, and 229 Ukrainian refugees 

through the Homes for Ukraine scheme. 

The figures underscore Southampton’s commitment 

to fulfilling its role as a welcoming 

city, adapting to the evolving needs of asylum 

seekers. The combination of contingency and 

dispersed accommodation reflects the city’s 

effort to provide varied and suitable living arrangements 

for those seeking asylum within 

its borders. Southampton’s ongoing involvement 

in assisting asylum seekers highlights 

its dedication to fostering an environment that 

ensures the wellbeing and integration of individuals 

in need of sanctuary. 


43

7) What response has there been 

in Southampton? 

CLEAR 

City Life Education and Action for Refugees 

(CLEAR) has been helping people seeking 

refuge in Southampton for over 20 years. 

Launched by City Life Church in 2001 as a response 

to Southampton becoming a dispersal 

city, its office, advice and classroom have always 

been located together in central Southampton 

with ground floor access and easily 

accessible in the heart of the city. 

CLEAR has grown as a charity over this period 

and has provided close to 66,000 interventions 

engaging with almost 9,500 clients. 

This includes almost 40,000 advice sessions, 

an estimated 6,000 English language and adult 

education classes running between 10 and 42 

different courses at any one time, and close to 

1,400 people helped through a range of other 

programmes including 1-1 mentoring, employment 

advice and practical support such as bicycle 

schemes. 

On average, CLEAR has helped 1,038 people 

each year since 2001. It has consistently provided 

English language classes and advice 

services alongside a range of other schemes 

providing practical support to help alleviate 

some of the hardships faced while aiding integration, 

and has demonstrated its commitment 

to “empowerment through education and 

in practical action”. 

Since its creation in 2001 CLEAR has generated 

income of £4.23 million for the specific 

purpose of supporting refugees and asylum 

seekers in Southampton. It has successfully 

bid for grants from the National Lottery and 

obtained Trust Funding. It has also won both 

national government grants and local partnership 

contracts. 

CLEAR exists to help those seeking 

refuge in Southampton to build new 

lives in the UK by providing a uniquely 

powerful blend of free advice and 

practical support to asylum seekers, 

refugees and other migrants, and a 

wide range of courses in English 

language and life in the UK 

Number of people helped by CLEAR from 2001 to 2022 

Number of people 

Figure 4 


45

ADVICE SESSIONS 

CLEAR has provided near to 40,000 advice 

sessions over the last 20 years to 9,439 clients. 

The advice sessions offer information 

and guidance to refugees and people seeking 

safety that covers immigration, benefits, housing 

and utilities support, help in accessing education, 

healthcare, passport applications and 

both prevention of and recovery from destitution 

. Employment advice is offered to asylum 

seekers and EU migrants with pre-settled or 

settled status, and includes assistance with 

job applications; searching for the right job, 

preparing CVs and cover letters, and helping 

to complete application forms. CLEAR, accredited 

with Office of the Immigration Services 

Commissioner (OISC) to level 1, provides specialist 

and credible support for people seeking 

asylum and immigration related advice . Given 

the complexity of the application process and 

the vulnerability of those applying for asylum 

in a new country, having such an accreditation 

demonstrates that CLEAR is not only deemed 

‘fit’ to provide immigration advice services by 

the Home Office with a history of honesty and 

legal compliance, but also that it is ‘competent’ 

to do so. CLEAR has demonstrated that it can 

be trusted to give advice that won’t take advantage 

or mislead asylum seekers but enable 

applicants to understand the requirements 

and entitlements of the asylum system. 

The project also holds the Advice Quality 

Standard, which provides clients with assurance 

that they have met certain criteria that 

demonstrate a commitment to quality. 

The number of advice sessions compared to 

the number of clients shows that many clients 

don’t just come for one session only; demonstrating 

the support and relationship that has 

been built between CLEAR and the people 

accessing the services as they navigate the 

complexity of challenges in re-building their 

lives in a new country and community. 

Advice is also offered at a weekly drop-in, in 

partnership with Southampton and Winchester 

Visitors Group and Avenue St Andrews 

Church. In addition to advice, guests are also 

able to get help with English and enjoy food 

and friendship with others. 

The advice streams provided by CLEAR support 

both asylum seekers in the process of 

making their claim as well as people who have 

received their right to remain status. These 

specific areas of advice are with the goal of 

enabling people to integrate as they gain access 

to housing, education, health, and employment 

in what Ager and Strang (2008) 

describe as “Markers and Means” in their 

conceptual framework for understanding integration. 

Without such support it would prove 

even more challenging for refugees and people 

seeking safety in the UK to find economic 

independence, to develop skills, and maintain 

good health that enables participation and engagement 

in society. 

Language and cultural knowledge are known 

to be key barriers to integration that impact 

not only how markers and means (such as 

housing, education, health and work) are accessed, 

but how communities are formed . Not 

being able to speak the host language hinders 

social interaction with the host community, 

economic integration, and access to essential 

services. It is a crucial skill that gives individuals 

greater feelings of control and autonomy 

over their lives as they more effectively communicate 

with doctors, banks, teachers, and 

employers. 

Understanding local and national culture regarding 

procedures and customs impacts how 

individuals develop relationships and embed 

themselves into society. 

Since 2001 CLEAR has enrolled 6,030 students 

on their English for Speakers of Other Languages 

(ESOL) classes. The classes are led by 

qualified and experienced ESOL teachers and 

are offered at four levels to accommodate varying 

levels and abilities, including a pre-entry, 

and the most advanced at Entry Level 3. 

The ESOL courses run for a period of 32 weeks 

and seek to develop students’ speaking, listening, 

reading and writing abilities in preparation 

for Trinity College London exams, and 

progression into higher classes or mainstream 

provision. 

Currently funded by Southampton City Council 

and the National Lottery, CLEAR’s ESOL classes 

are free for asylum seekers. This is particularly 

important as asylum seekers already face 

financial challenges due to the limited government 

support. The funding received sets how 

many places are available, and the courses run 

by CLEAR are often oversubscribed. 

The requirements linked to adult education 

provision through local authority funding add 

another layer of administrative burden on 

ESOL providers as they need to demonstrate 

compliance with a set curriculum, lesson plans 

and preparation for the final tests . While a 

level of accountability is important in ensuring 

quality provision and teaching that facilitates 

learning, it doesn’t always allow sufficient flexibility 

to respond to some of the underlying 

holistic needs such as confidence building or 

bridge building through relationships . This is 

one of the reasons why CLEAR offer a range of 

additional courses to ensure holistic support. 

CLEAR exists to help those seeking refuge in Southampton 

to build new lives in the UK by providing a uniquely powerful blend 

of free advice and practical support to asylum seekers, refugees and other 

migrants, and a wide range of courses in English language and life in the UK 

– CLEAR Client 

ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS 

OF OTHER LANGUAGES 

(ESOL) 

& ADULT EDUCATION 

CLASSES 

With between 10 and 42 different courses 

running over the course of a year and an estimated 

6,000 learners over the last 20 years, 

CLEAR has proactively helped refugees and 

vulnerable groups arriving in Southampton develop 

both their English language and cultural 

knowledge. Given that the ESOL programme 

runs over the course of 32 weeks, it can be 

estimated that CLEAR have provided over 

192,000 English language classes. 


47

Providing a holistic service, emphasis on CPD, 

trauma informed practice and access to other 

services and support are key strengths that 

CLEAR demonstrate. They do this by understanding 

the needs of the people accessing 

their services and responding in turn. This 

can be seen through initiatives such as a creche 

being run at the same time as some of 

the ESOL language classes, enabling women 

in particular to participate in courses who 

wouldn’t be able to do so otherwise. 

Engaging women in this manner not only reduces 

the gaps in integration due to being 

in a new country, but addresses some of the 

discrimination faced by women in countries 

where access to and participation in education 

and opportunities is severely limited. 

The range of additional courses that CLEAR 

offers continues to demonstrate the importance 

of access to and participation in classes 

that are practical and relevant to life. Numeracy 

and ESOL for beginners, a Level 2 customer 

service skills course, additional literacy and 

digital workshops are just some of the courses 

that evidence how CLEAR continue to adapt 

their provision to enable refugees and asylum 

seekers to gain the relevant skills and knowledge 

to integrate. Digital skills have been recognised 

as an additional facilitator of social 

connection and integration in the updated version 

of Ager and Stang’s integration framework 

as the challenges faced are different now as 

society continues to develop. 

HONG KONG WELCOME 

In 2021, City Life Church was awarded a grant 

from national government to set up and lead 

the Hong Kong Welcome project and develop 

a website for Hong Kong British Nationals 

(Overseas) relocating to Southampton under 

the new immigration route which was opened 

in response to the national security laws imposed 

by the Chinese government . It is estimated 

that 1,000 HongKongers have moved to 

Southampton since 2019. 

The Hong Kong Welcome reached out 

and was a bridge. My life is better 

after they reached out, they may not 

have discovered, but it had a positive 

impact on my mental health 

Two-way integration highlights that successful 

integration is not possible with work being 

carried out by the ‘newcomer’ alone, but is 

dependent on both the host community and 

incoming people working relationally together 

rather than separately influencing one another 

from a distance. 

The Welcome Programme employed a Cantonese-speaking 

outreach worker to facilitate the 

bespoke programme and foster trust and relationships 

to maximise engagement and participation. 

There was also a welcome website 

with links to information specific to Southampton 

regarding health, housing, education, careers, 

faith groups and local information such 

as transport, elections, shopping and leisure 

activities. 

- A Hong Kong BN(O) part of the Hong Kong Welcome 

Partnering with HongKongers in Britain (HKB) 

and Citizens Advice Southampton (CAS), the 

purpose of the project is to welcome Hong 

Kong nationals through a range of events 

that help new arrivals integrate into the local 

community in Southampton. The project was 

supported by Southampton City Council and 

a range of community partners and is a commitment 

that recognises the role that the host 

community has in effective integration. 

Councillor Spiros Vassiliou, Cabinet Member for Communities, 

Culture and Heritage at Southampton City Council 

Annual income raised by CLEAR from 2001 to 2022 

Income raised 

Figure 5 


49

In addition to providing useful information to 

help navigate life in Southampton, the Hong 

Kong Welcome Programme created opportunities 

for people to come together, experience 

and share local culture, and develop community. 

Some of the events included tours around 

the city, a welcome BBQ in the summer (attended 

by over 100 people), a Christmas carol 

concert at Winchester Cathedral, multiple 

friendship festivals, Hong Kong Art and Film 

Exhibition, welcome courses, and specific 

seminars on topics such as civic responsibility, 

social engagement and how to report hate 

crime. 

Support from Churches 

While City Life’s refugee project, CLEAR, has 

developed and grown into a charity providing 

specialist interventions, other churches have 

contributed to integration through a range of 

other activities. Through word-of-mouth with 

people joining their churches, this decentralised 

approach allows local churches to make 

a significant impact on the members through 

maintaining connections within their congregations. 

This more personalised response to 

the unique needs of refugees, building relationships 

and a network of support that extends 

beyond traditional institutional boundaries 

of a set lesson plan and curriculum, is one 

that exemplifies the role of community. 

and are free of charge. This inclusivity seeks to 

break down barriers in access and promote a 

sense of unity among diverse individuals. The 

cafes serve as safe learning spaces, providing 

refugees with an opportunity to enhance their 

language skills in an environment that prioritises 

practical communication over exam-focused 

learning. 

Learners can engage with the language at their 

own pace, fostering a more comfortable and 

supportive atmosphere conducive to effective 

learning. The emphasis on practical communication 

skills ensures that refugees not only 

acquire language proficiency, but also gain the 

confidence to navigate real-life situations in 

their new environment, and gain confidence as 

they share their stories and are heard without 

it being in relation to an application for health, 

housing or as part of the asylum process. 

Beyond helping with language acquisition, language 

cafes play a crucial role in building social 

connections and relationships. Participants in 

the cafes often share common experiences, 

creating a supportive community where individuals 

can relate to each other’s challenges 

and successes. The cafes serve as more than 

just educational spaces; they become hubs 

for social interaction and cultural exchange, 

contributing to the broader goal of fostering a 

sense of belonging among refugees. 

The language cafes, led by volunteers with a 

passion for helping people who are vulnerable 

and have experienced trauma, provide a place 

for pastoral care to take place. It can be hard 

for asylum seekers to find care and healing in 

a new environment where they still have to relive 

their experiences in order to evidence the 

validity of their claim. 

Language cafes in churches have provided a 

space outside of a pressurised environment 

where encouragement and hope are shared 

and healing and sanctuary can be found. 

Church members have helped to provide practical 

support as they listen to the needs and 

experiences that emerge through the language 

cafes. Examples include help in finding 

furniture, moving to new accommodation, support 

with groceries; acts that really help people 

feel cared for and welcomed as they adjust 

to a new life. 

City Life Church successfully sponsored a 

Syrian Family in 2022 through the Home Office 

Community Sponsorship Scheme. They 

moved from a refugee camp in the Middle East 

to settle in Southampton. Working with Hope 

into Action, a Christian housing project, this 

family was housed and another refugee family 

who had successfully claimed asylum was also 

housed. 

Above Bar Church has helped five people find 

housing and stay in Southampton who otherwise 

would have had to uproot their lives and 

move to a different city. 

For asylum seekers who have sought refuge 

on the grounds of religious persecution, the 

church community provides not only a place to 

develop their skills and receive practical help 

and encouragement, but a place to express 

their faith supported and surrounded by fellow 

believers, finding a place of freedom to share 

the faith that at one point had been the cause 

of hostility and abuse. 

Some churches have gone further still in creating 

special services, studies and groups to 

help refugees feel included as part of church 

life as they live out their faith. By having songs 

led in multiple languages, Bible studies translated, 

and welcome events, refugees are welcomed 

and valued as part of the local Christian 

community. Above Bar Church has translated 

their baptism course into several languages 

and 20 Iranians have been baptised in recent 

months. The services were not livestreamed to 

minimise the risk to family members if names 

and faces were seen on screen. 

These initiatives not only contribute to skill 

development but, more importantly, foster 

a sense of community, understanding, and 

shared humanity in the process of rebuilding 

lives. Christians have the opportunity to provide 

impactful support with very little training. 

By giving a helping hand, time to listen, and 

opportunities to practice speaking English, 

they can see vulnerable groups experience 

transformative change in their confidence and 

sense of belonging. 

– Chris Webb, Minister for discipleship, Above Bar Church 

One such initiative implemented by several 

churches in Southampton involves the establishment 

of English language cafes. The language 

cafes are available for anyone to attend 

English Language Cafe Learner 

at Above Bar Church 


51

City of Sanctuary 

The City of Sanctuary movement in the UK is 

an initiative with the overarching goal of creating 

welcoming and inclusive communities for 

refugees and asylum seekers by working with 

the community itself . The City of Sanctuary 

work is built upon the belief and assumption 

that facilitating effective integration is not only 

down to those arriving in a new community, 

but also through the participation and welcome 

of the host community. In this collaborative 

approach, host communities play a crucial 

role in fostering an environment of acceptance 

and inclusion, recognising the skills, experiences, 

cultural diversity and contribution that 

refugees bring to communities. 

One of the primary objectives is to encourage 

cities, towns and communities across the UK 

to declare themselves as places of sanctuary, 

committing to building bridges of understanding 

and support between newcomers and people 

within local communities. These sanctuary 

cities aim to challenge stereotypes and dispel 

misconceptions about refugees, promoting a 

narrative of shared humanity. 

Through partnerships with local authorities, 

businesses, schools and civil society, the work 

of City of Sanctuary seeks to provide practical 

assistance, educational opportunities and employment 

prospects to refugees. 

The Southampton City of Sanctuary group, 

spearheaded by the late Stephen Press, was 

established in 2013 and drove the collaboration 

work leading to Southampton being recognised 

as a City of Sanctuary in 2017, a commitment 

publicly supported by Southampton 

City Council. In Southampton the goals were 

for the local community to learn what it means 

to be seeking sanctuary, embed concepts of 

welcome, safety and inclusion into city life, 

and to share the vision and achievements. The 

initiative was community-driven, emphasising 

the passions and means of expression of the 

people involved. The collaboration among various 

champions in organisations and schools 

resulted in the creation and implementation of 

diverse ideas. 

Over 20 schools embraced the City of Sanctuary 

ethos, engaging in both teaching and 

awareness initiatives while creating resources 

to aid learning about sanctuary concepts. 

Universities provided accessible courses for 

refugees and asylum seekers lacking financial 

means, but with the capability to access the 

learning. Solent University is now a University 

of Sanctuary and the University of Southampton 

is also in the process of accreditation. 

Southampton libraries have also been recognised 

as Libraries of Sanctuary. 

Driven by the local community in Southampton 

and supported by World Stages Now, a 

theatrical stream conducted drama lessons 

and training to create theatre pieces on migration-related 

themes that were then performed 

in the community. Performances were held in 

multiple local venues such as the Mayflower 

Theatre and schools, followed by workshops 

to facilitate learning about migration and asylum. 

World Stages Now is a volunteer led community 

organisation based in Southampton, UK. 

Most of the performers, writers, directors, musicians 

and dancers are also seeking asylum or 

are recently recognised refugees. Since 2013 

the group has created and performed several 

pieces of original theatre especially for Refu- 

gee Week exploring issues that are personal 

whilst also celebrating the national theme. 

World Stages Now has also performed work at 

additional events throughout this year including 

International Women’s Day at West Quay in 

March and the Now-Here Festival celebrating 

the contribution made by the migrant community 

at NST Nuffield Theatre in April. World 

Stages Now currently has 27 members all of 

whom have a refugee or asylum background 

and who have given their time freely to be 

involved in many activities over the past 10 

years raising awareness and supporting other 

groups. 

Other community-driven approaches have 

manifested in practical initiatives, such as the 

donation of 16 sewing machines, enabling a 

group of women to sew while providing a safe 

space for discussions that led to crucial support. 

In 2019, the City of Sanctuary Southampton 

secured funding for a mosaic, visually symbolising 

the commitment of the council and the 

city to transform Southampton into a welcoming 

City of Sanctuary. 

World Stages Now has greatly impacted my life as an individual and the 

community as whole. As an individual, World Stages Now has fostered 

skills such as communication, engagement, embracing diversity 

and listening through theatre. 

Member of the World Stages Community 


53


55

8) The impact 

This section seeks to make known the impacts and outcomes of these outputs. These impacts 

derive from over 30 semi-structured interviews with a range of clients, learners and community 

partners (including civil servants in the welfare state). The outcomes impact both individual lives 

and the wider community in the short term, medium term and long term. 

Immediate Support: 

Practical provision that 

impacts positively on 

health and wellbeing 

Immediate impact comes from the practical 

support provided that meets the needs of refugees, 

asylum seekers and vulnerable people 

as they find themselves without adequate 

support. Many of the people interviewed mentioned 

how food support, clothes, furniture 

and even offers of housing made a huge difference. 

Receiving food aid and provisions during 

the initial accommodation period was crucial 

in addressing challenges posed by the system 

regarding hunger and physical wellbeing. 

When the support from the government is not 

enough to buy sufficient food as well as save 

and prepare for a positive response regarding 

an asylum claim, and the housing provided was 

often uninhabitable, the impact of interventions 

and provision during this initial time was 

invaluable to those interviewees. Without such 

support from the local faith-based communities, 

they didn’t know how they would have 

survived or provided for their families, but they 

also reported not being able to engage in other 

activities that led to increased integration. 

Without such support they would not have 

been able to engage in the activities that lead 

to greater opportunities for progression and a 

different life in Southampton; activities such as 

attending English language classes, accessing 

healthcare, meeting with their case worker 

and even getting help or advice. 

The provision of such practical help not only 

impacted their physical health, the engagement 

with activities in the asylum seeker system 

was also a demonstration of their welcome 

within the community which had a positive impact 

on mental health which then led to further 

engagement in community activities and led to 

greater feelings of support and safety. 

We were told there were some events 

happening on Friday in the church, so 

we went and saw someone with a 

friendly face and they helped us with 

food because the money we were given 

wasn’t much 

We were told there were some events happening on Friday in the church, 

so we went and saw someone with a friendly face and they helped us with 

food because the money we were given wasn’t much 

English language learner at one of the English language cafés 

– English language learner at one of the English language cafés 

I had no furniture, nothing. Then the 

church came and gave me some 

furniture and link with the council. 

That was 3 years ago now! 

- English language café language learner at Above Bar Church 


57

Reducing Social Isolation 

Another area of great impact was the spaces 

and community created by Christian organisations 

as they provided their interventions. This 

was an impact experienced by those seeking 

asylum, as well as those who had arrived 

through the different resettlement schemes. 

People may have differing experiences of 

housing upon arrival in the UK depending on 

whether they have planned host families or 

go into dispersal accommodation, but every 

new person looking to start a new life in a new 

country faces the difficult work of integrating 

within a new community. The creation of 

community spaces through English language 

cafes, welcome events, church services, Bible 

studies and a myriad of different interventions 

helps individuals make relationships and build 

community. 

Many of the people interviewed gave an account 

of an initial period of feeling completely 

isolated, experiencing moments of depression 

and high levels of anxiety until they started 

attending some of the community groups 

or events. One person said how they waited 

six months before meeting new people, yet 

through the opportunity provided by the Hong 

Kong Welcome they saw their experience of 

life in the UK shift significantly for the better, 

and experienced positive impacts on their 

mental health too. 

neys as them which added to the encouragement 

and healing experienced by being in a 

safe place. 

The regularity of different events across the 

city and within churches provided a level of 

rhythm and dependability that boosted the 

confidence and hopes of people waiting for 

a result of a job application or asylum claim. 

Waiting without knowing a certain date for 

when a result would come through seemed 

endless, but being able to look forward to a 

regular event with similar people and start 

building relationships gave people hope. 

The impact of the community spaces goes 

further than uniting people with similar experiences, 

it helps to unite and grow the whole 

community. Activities such as the Hong Kong 

Welcome, BBQ’s, City of Sanctuary events in 

schools and in the theatre help to provide a 

place to exchange stories, cultures, and link 

and form connections within the community. 

Through such activities many people interviewed 

shared how they felt safer and welcomed 

as part of the events by the wider 

community. This sharing not only benefits the 

people arriving in the UK but helps to change 

some of the attitudes held within society and 

foster ones of empathy and understanding. 

– South East Strategic Partnership for Migration Lead 

It is a work that local authorities do not have 

the capacity to lead or support as their focus 

is much more on the practical support such 

as accommodation and finance (which even 

then is severely limited). Without the church, 

the local community and individuals stepping 

in to create safe, supportive places and foster 

relationships, these vulnerable people would 

remain distant and isolated from the rest of 

society. 

Advocacy and Signposting 

The support work in Southampton has not only 

had enduring effects on immediate physical 

health and creation of community support, but 

their initiatives have been instrumental in creating 

long-term opportunities that were previously 

inaccessible to many asylum seekers 

and people arriving in the UK. Through advice 

sessions, mentoring programmes, practical 

classes and volunteering services, individuals 

who may have struggled to develop confidence 

and language skills have been equipped 

with the tools needed to secure employment, 

thereby ensuring long-term job security. 

CLEAR advice sessions helped many asylum 

seekers understand and prepare for their 

claim. One couple shared how without CLEAR 

helping them with their claim the mistakes on 

their application form might not have been noticed 

and could have slowed down the process 

even more. 

One lady shared how she was able to get the 

training, support and opportunity to volunteer 

that led to her getting a job; support that she 

previously would not have been given in the 

country that she fled from. 

By offering guidance, support, and practical 

assistance, these initiatives have empowered 

individuals to overcome obstacles and achieve 

long-term success, thereby transforming lives 

and strengthening communities. 

Funding and involvement of both the national 

and local governments is limited to areas 

of practical support such as housing, finance 

and ESOL classes, but there is no specific input 

into the areas of supporting and restoring 

wellbeing. 

The events and opportunities for meeting and 

gathering were said to have far more profound 

an impact than mere entertainment; they were 

a platform for sharing, healing and social integration. 

Many of the people interviewed mentioned 

the sense of peace and healing they 

felt being able to meet other people who had 

experienced and more fully understood the 

experiences they had faced. Beyond having 

to share their story in order to legitimise their 

asylum case they found comfort being listened 

to and heard; and in turn this led to relationships 

being formed through which a newfound 

confidence then enabled greater participation 

in community life. They were also able to receive 

practical advice and encouragement 

from people who had experienced similar jour- 

It gave me something I knew I could 

look forward to. 

The process was slow and I couldn’t 

see the end, so it was long. But 

knowing that in the week I had 

something on with friendly people 

meant that I could hold on 

– Learner at an English language café 

Without such spaces for people to get together 

and be welcomed not only would society be 

less safe, but people starting a life in the UK 

would not participate as much as they remain 

in places of trauma, isolation and brokenness 

trying to move forward past oppression. 

Ð A Hong Kong BN(O) part of the Hong Kong Welcome 


59

One of the standout themes arising from the 

interviews with service partners was the way 

that non-statutory organisations were able 

to be a voice for vulnerable people groups to 

have their experiences and hardships heard. 

These organisations, through their proximity to 

refugees and asylum seekers, have emerged 

as powerful advocates, representing the voices 

of those who might otherwise remain unheard 

or marginalised. This role as a voice for 

the voiceless has immediate and long-term 

implications for the communities they serve. 

CLEAR was open and helped us to write 

CVs, there was another guy who helped 

us prepare for the interview which 

helped me get my job 

– CLEAR Client 

Initially, by amplifying the experiences and 

hardships of vulnerable individuals, these organisations 

played a crucial role in providing 

support and raising awareness about the conditions 

faced by asylum seekers. Through their 

advocacy efforts, they shed light on pressing 

issues, fostering empathy and understanding 

within broader society. 

This was particularly true with regards to the 

living conditions and housing requirements 

that otherwise may have gone unnoticed. Having 

a good and trusted relationship with the 

council meant that CLEAR was able to draw 

attention to situations where there was overcrowding 

in homes, inadequate water and unsafe 

spaces and ask the council to act. 

interviewees from the local council shared 

how often the voices of CLEAR and other organisations 

provided the needed evidence 

to have conversations with the Home Office 

that could only come from people who worked 

closely with asylum seekers in temporary accommodation. 

Importantly, the depth of involvement exhibited 

by church communities sets them apart 

from service providers that are transactional 

and intermittent in the way they provide their 

services. Instead, churches are deeply invested 

in the lives of those they serve, actively 

walking alongside individuals to meet the gaps 

in provision and offering support where institutional 

assistance falls short. 

A common safeguarding issue reported by 

CLEAR was age disputes by people assessed 

to be adults but who claimed to be children. 

In these cases, with identification documentation 

unavailable, the Home Office may assess 

someone to be older than they say they are. 

This has led to people being kept in accommodation 

with other adults which wouldn’t be 

suitable if they had been assessed as children. 

CLEAR has advocated and been successful in 

querying age disputes, leading to people being 

given safer, more appropriate accommodation 

with the support of social services. 

This sustained engagement allows them to 

bear witness to the realities faced by refugees 

and asylum seekers, informing their advocacy 

efforts and ensuring that the voices of the 

most vulnerable are not only heard, but that 

action can come from their voice being shared. 

CLEAR have been very powerful advocate for vulnerable people within 

the city and being a place that provides one of the very few places 

that can provide support to those people who are in the city 

– Executive Director Communities, Culture & Homes 2020-2023 

Furthermore, working closely with refugees 

allowed local organisations in Southampton 

to advocate for longer-term issues related to 

safety, stability and racism within the community. 

By sharing real-life experiences, they 

catalysed action by local councils and other 

stakeholders, adding a trusted voice to tangible 

changes in policies and practices aimed 

at addressing systemic challenges. One of the 

We’re able to help people we wouldn’t 

normally come across because of the 

trust that the community have with 

CLEAR 

- Adult Learning Manager for Southampton City Council 


61

9) Conclusions 

With an estimated 66,000 interventions over 

20 years provided to vulnerable people arriving 

in Southampton by CLEAR, and numerous 

unrecorded acts of support and compassion 

given by other local organisations, it is clear 

that the church and other organisations are 

needed to ensure effective and successful integration. 

The interventions provided are in response 

to the gaps in both national and local provision 

and are the outworking of a faith which 

calls people to love their neighbours. With 

the nations arriving in the UK escaping persecution, 

war, corruption and oppression the 

community-based actions have the power to 

ensure that they do not experience the very 

real risk of homelessness, poverty and declining 

physical and mental health. The example 

seen in Southampton shows that Christians, in 

particular, don’t have to go on a mission trip 

across the world to share the gospel and have 

an impact, but can share their faith practically 

through volunteering at English language 

cafes, mentoring, hosting events within the 

community and extending practical support 

through provision of food and helping with accommodation. 

The analysis of desktop materials, research 

papers and over 30 semi-structured interviews 

with clients, learners and community partners 

has demonstrated the role that is needed both 

in providing immediate practical provision, as 

well as longer term impact through opening 

up opportunities for community relationship 

building, and access to education, housing, 

health and employment which have a longerterm 

impact. 

The evaluation shows that the provision of 

food, clothing, and accommodation has significant 

positive impacts on asylum seekers’ 

physical health as they undergo the asylum-seeking 

process. This support has helped 

to alleviate the dire circumstances within 

which they are placed, with extremely limited 

financial support, and with often cramped, unsafe 

and unclean accommodation. The impact 

goes beyond just the physical; it also supports 

the mental health of people in this immediate 

stage as they are able to focus on their application 

and take part in activities that will aid 

their integration. 

Many interviewees highlighted how immediate 

support, such as food aid, clothing, furniture 

and housing assistance has been essential for 

their survival and wellbeing during their initial 

accommodation, enabling them to access 

other activities crucial for integration, such as 

English language classes and healthcare. The 

provision of such practical help not only impacted 

physical health, but also had positive 

effects on mental wellbeing, fostering feelings 

of support, safety and community inclusion. 

One of the key findings from the interviews 

was the way in which interventions such as 

advice sessions, ESOL classes, and English 

language cafes were able to positively impact 

access to opportunities of employment and 

health. This has been achieved through various 

programmes and practical classes, as individuals 

have been equipped with the tools 

needed to secure employment and achieve 

long-term success. CLEAR’s extensive provision 

of nearly 66,000 interventions comprising 

advice sessions, English language and adult 

education classes, reflects the depth of support 

provided to almost 9,500 clients. Without 

these services many refugees and people 

arriving in the UK would find it challenging to 

integrate into society and would end up struggling 

to secure healthy lives. 

Moreover, the free access to these courses for 

asylum seekers, funded by Southampton City 

Council and the National Lottery, has alleviated 

financial burdens and enabled individuals 

to focus on their integration journey without 

financial constraints. CLEAR has gone above 

and beyond to ensure that barriers to engagement 

are removed by minimising costs and 

providing creches so that parents with children 

can access the courses which has resulted in 

high levels of engagement. 

Another key finding is that the activities offered 

by local organisations don’t just meet 

people’s physical and practical needs, but also 

address the challenges of isolation and loneliness 

within individuals and the community 

at large. English language cafes and church 

gatherings provided spaces for individuals to 

connect, share experiences and foster healing. 


63

They had a great impact in helping combat 

loneliness and isolation by connecting people 

to their communities and led to feelings of stability, 

welcome and safety which had a positive 

impact on individuals’ mental health which in 

turn led to further participation within community 

life. The regularity of these events has 

provided a sense of rhythm and dependability 

for individuals navigating uncertain circumstances, 

offering hope and encouragement in 

times of waiting and uncertainty. Without the 

church in these safe spaces, many individuals 

would not be able to start progressing past 

their trauma. The impact of trauma left untreated 

has a cost that then prohibits engagement 

and growth in their lives. 

The interviews with different learners and clients 

not only highlighted the prominence of 

the work of Christian faith-based groups in 

particular, but found spaces such as English 

language cafes, welcome events, and cultural 

festivals fostered a sense of belonging 

and community among those navigating the 

complexities of resettlement. The impacts of 

these community spaces extend beyond mere 

entertainment, serving as platforms for social 

integration, support and empowerment. The 

benefits of events like this is that they don’t 

have to happen as often as weekly, but they do 

open access to the whole community. Without 

such events communities remain isolated and 

alone. When local governments are stretched 

financially to the point where they struggle 

to meet adequate provision, the opportunity 

of bridging the gap between communities 

through hospitality lies within the skillset and 

mandate of the church. 

A key finding from the interviews with community 

partners was that faith-based organisations 

in Southampton have emerged as 

powerful advocates, amplifying the voices of 

vulnerable individuals, particularly refugees 

and asylum seekers, who might otherwise remain 

unheard or marginalised. These organisations 

are trusted by the local authorities due 

to their professionalism and continued commitment 

over a long period of time. 

Their depth of involvement sets them apart 

from more transactional service providers, as 

they actively walk alongside individuals, offering 

support where institutional assistance falls 

short. This proximity has played a crucial role 

in raising awareness about pressing issues, 

shedding light on living conditions, housing requirements 

and longer-term challenges related 

to safety, stability and discrimination within 

the community, and is seen as a trusted voice 

that speaks from evidence and conviction. 

By actively listening to the needs of refugees 

and responding with practical assistance, the 

churches have played a vital role in fostering a 

sense of belonging, safety and dignity among 

vulnerable people, ultimately facilitating transformative 

change and empowering individuals 

to rebuild their lives with confidence and resilience. 

The findings and outputs of this report have 

demonstrated that local organisations are not 

only able to impact their communities and 

thousands of lives for the better, but that they 

are needed in society. The situation seems 

bleak and unsalvageable when reliant upon 

government input alone; without intervention 

from the churches and other local organisations 

these risks will continue to mount and 

negatively impact the immediate physical 

health, mental health and long-term prospects 

of people coming to this country. 

However, this evaluation of the refugee response 

in Southampton demonstrates that 

there is hope, that faith-based organisations 

can make a tangible difference in their communities, 

and that if these vulnerable people 

groups are to heal through participating in 

society the church is needed to fill the gaps. 

They are able to step into the gaps of government 

provision and lead their communities in 

providing support in a range of areas from immediate 

support, removing obstacles and barriers 

to long term opportunities, creating spaces 

of welcome, healing and belonging which 

helps shape stable and safe communities, as 

well as being a powerful advocate for the experiences 

faced by vulnerable groups such as 

refugees and asylum seekers. 

By sharing these findings, we hope that the 

example in Southampton acts as an inspiration, 

challenge and encouragement for more 

people to consider their own communities and 

see how they too can provide support. Not 

every church will grow a project to the point it 

employs a staff team such as the CLEAR project, 

but every church can step into the immediate 

needs, can provide spaces for people to 

come and share their stories, receive support 

and see their confidence grow and their life 

transformed. 


65

10) Recommendations 

Establish English language 

cafes 

English languages cafes are a relatively simple 

way of bringing people together in a safe 

environment. Not only are learners able to develop 

and practice their English language skills 

which helps with access to support employment, 

education and navigating community life 

such as transport and shopping, but they can 

act as places of healing, rest and support. 

By creating a relaxed environment where learners 

can ask questions, share their experiences 

and build friendships and foster social connections 

you will empower people by boosting 

their confidence and self-esteem and enable 

them to navigate the tasks and events of daily 

life more easily. 

It is important to consider what other churches 

and organisations may be doing in the locality 

to ensure the offer is coordinated and 

to avoid duplication. A knowledge of more 

formal opportunities is also required so that 

learners have the opportunity to further develop 

their learning. Resources and training to 

support conversation classes has been produced 

by Learning & Work – available here: 

https://learningandwork.org.uk/resources/ 

research-and-reports/volunteers-english-language-learners-and-conversation-clubs/ 

Facilitate opportunities 

for building bridges between 

host communities 

and new arrivals 

Creating events such as community BBQs, 

games nights, cultural festivals, storytelling 

events, seminars and tours, are another great 

and relatively simple way of making newcomers 

to the community feel welcomed while providing 

social connections between people and 

developing empathy and understanding from 

the host community. 

Gathering the community together in this way 

helps people seeking asylum and refugees 

feel safe and welcomed as they see a physical 

demonstration of wanting to connect, learn 

and understand. It alleviates feelings of isolation 

and loneliness both in the short term and 

in the long-term through the forming of relationships. 

Additionally, creating these opportunities not 

only helps build relationships with refugees, 

but can also serve churches in building relationships 

with the rest of their communities 

too. By intentionally adapting church services 

to become more refugee friendly through 

special welcome sessions, having elements 

(or even whole) services translated into different 

languages, and through including different 

styles of expression of worship refugees and 

migrants will be able to participate more fully 

in church life. 

Friendship festivals for HongKongers have 

been a prime example where over 200 people 

from the community regularly gather in Southampton, 

with the support of local churches, to 

create a strong sense of community as well as 

integration with the local community. 

Provide essential 

practical support 

during critical stages 

This evaluation has highlighted the scale of the 

challenges that refugees and asylum seekers 

face during the initial stages of the application 

process and the months following a right to remain 

decision, especially regarding living conditions, 

housing, and financial support. 

Support can be provided at various levels of 

commitment: 

• ‘One off’ donations of food, clothing, 

furniture and help with attending 

appointments 

• Hosting families from Ukraine 

• Providing continuous support 

through the Community Sponsorship 

Scheme 


67

By helping with providing long-term or temporary 

accommodation either through connecting 

with housing providers or hosting within 

their homes people can help provide safe and 

stable housing. It is important to seek professional 

advice before offering accommodation 

as it may jeopardise someone’s access to asylum 

support. 

Providing food aid and clothing churches can 

make an immediate tangible difference and 

impact asylum seekers and refugees’ physical 

health and dignity. 

Offering transport assistance for refugees who 

may find it hard navigating transport systems in 

a new country helps ensure that asylum seekers 

and refugees are able, through safely recruited 

volunteers or staff members, to access 

essential services such as legal appointments, 

advice sessions and healthcare appointments. 

Creating IT drop-in sessions can fast track the 

access to support services such as the NHS, 

financial support and school applications for 

children, as well providing a space to create 

and submit applications for jobs having received 

a positive case decision. 

Provide training and support 

to leaders and teams 

Churches of any size can make an impact in 

the lives of those most in need in their communities, 

however, to ensure that this is sustainable 

over the long term it is important that 

leaders and teams don’t burn out. 

One such way is to partner and volunteer with 

a specialist organisation in your area (such as 

CLEAR in Southampton) and support the ongoing 

work. Another is to get specific training 

so that you provide accredited immigration advice. 

Having more people who are trained and 

available to help refugees and asylum seekers 

with their claims and understanding the UK 

system will increase the chances of people 

getting credible help and advice. Additionally, 

having formally recognised training provides 

an extra level of credibility when advocating for 

refugees and asylum seekers. 

Offering more holistic support and serving 

through pastorally caring for vulnerable people 

groups such as refugees means interacting 

with traumatic experiences of displacement, 

conflict and persecution. These are very specific 

and traumatic experiences that have not 

commonly been experienced. Therefore, it is 

even more important when doing this kind of 

work that volunteers and teams are provided 

with support and formal supervision where 

needed to mitigate the risk of vicarious trauma, 

as well as being able to provide the most effective 

support, ensuring the wellbeing of both 

refugees and volunteers. 

Churches should make sure that they lead their 

teams well by how they plan their outputs, systems 

and routines in relation to the capacity of 

their volunteers. Committing to the planning, 

organising and running of any intervention 

takes time and energy to do well. 

Ensure your church 

meetings are accessible, 

welcoming and appropriate 

for people from 

all cultures and backgrounds, 

not just those 

you are most familiar 

with 

The previous recommendations have related to 

activities that aim to aid all refugees and asylum 

seekers within the wider community. Yet 

with many refugees and asylum seekers joining 

local churches it is important that meetings 

and services engage and enable participation, 

not just attendance and observation. 

By offering translation services for the sermon, 

readings of scripture, communal songs of 

praise and worship, any midweek Bible study 

notes and wider communications such as announcements 

helps people to understand, 

participate, and be included in existing church 

practices. 

Going beyond and incorporating elements of 

diverse cultural practices into the church services 

can help attendees feel not only included, 

but represented, understood and valued. 

This may include incorporating songs, music, 

prayers or rituals from various cultural backgrounds, 

allowing everyone to celebrate their 

heritage within the context of worship. 

In the social moments after services where relationships 

continue to be built, highlighting a 

place or connect point for newcomers and visitors 

to the church to be welcomed is a physical 

and visible encouragement that they are welcomed. 

Churches should consider using this 

type of place with trained volunteers (maybe 

those who help at English language cafes) 

to start building meaningful connections and 

links within the church community. To have a 

welcoming congregation open to all people 

means that existing members cannot just stay 

within their groups or cliques but extend an 

open arm and invitation to those who may be 

different to them. 

Train and empower 

church members to 

welcome, engage with 

and support those from 

different cultures and 

backgrounds 

To see the recommendations in this report 

taken up and used to make a difference, it is 

vital that there is a movement in the hearts 

and minds of people. The work must begin 

within people which leads to work being done 

through them. This is a work of empathy and 

compassion, as Jesus himself was moved by 

compassion and led by love, so too must we 

be. Without understanding the reality of the 

experiences of the people coming to the UK 

people will not offer the money, food, time or 

comfort that is currently experienced in many 

of our church traditions. 

Therefore, church leaders should seek to provide 

spaces and resources for learning about 

the experiences and challenges. By learning 

and hearing from people’s real experiences 

there can grow empathy and understanding 

towards refugees and individuals from different 

cultural backgrounds. This will also help 

overcome any unintentional biases that come 

through lack of awareness and hinder how 

people are motivated to help. 

Further advice on leading successful teams in 

churches and in Christian faith-based organisations 

can be found in Brown et al (2023). 

Useful resources: 

Jubilee Plus have produced a series of videos 

from UK Christian charities and churches 

that take significant leadership in helping local 

church communities in creating welcoming and 

supportive groups, projects and life-changing 

friendships across cultures. These videos are 

helpful for those just starting out and to those 

who are looking to offer more in-depth help. 

Accessible at https://jubilee-plus.org/refugee-training-course/ 

Guidance on preventing stress and burnout in 

churches and Christian faith-based organisations 

accessible at www.profkeith.com 

Trauma-informed self-access training and 

workshop - https://le.ac.uk/cite/sanctuary-seekers-unit/events/trauma-workshop 

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, 

New International Version® NIV® 

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, 

Inc. 

Used with permission. All rights reserved 

worldwide. 


69

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of frustrated psychological needs, selective 

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hong-kong-bno-welcome-programme-vcsegrant-recipients-year-2-20222023 

 

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%C2%A39.3%20billion. 

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Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, 

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Used with permission. All rights reserved 

worldwide. 


73

Appendix A – Data Gathering 

Documents & external data 

Internal Data 

CLEAR’s website 

CLEAR Annual reports (past 20 years) 

2017 Independent Evaluation Report 

Lottery Fund Annual Report 

Lottery Fund Mid-Year Report – April 2022 

15 

9 

28 

External Data 

Academic research papers 

Leading charity information 

Government publications 

Government Publications 

Academic Research Papers 

Leading Charities 

Interviews 

Clients and Learners 

Community Partners 

Charity & Church 

Leaders & Volunteers 

Total Interviews = 20 

6 people from Hong Kong 

Welcome 

6 people from English language 

cafes 

8 previous clients from CLEAR 


Adult Learning Manager at 

Southampton City Council 

Executive Director Communities, 

Culture and Homes at 

Southampton City Council 2020- 

2023 

SE Migration Lead 

Hampshire Police, 

Development Officer, Refugee 

Resettlement and Asylum 

Support at Southampton City 

Council 


Volunteer lead at English 

language café 

Project leader at CLEAR 

Volunteer leader at CLEAR 

Church Leader at Above Bar 

Church 

Volunteer from City of Sanctuary 

work 

Hong Kong Welcome Support 

Worker 

Breakdown of interviews 

Where were the interviewees 

from? 

6 

5 

20 

1 

1 

1 

2 

6 

Hong Kong 

Pakistan 

Turkey 

Afghanistan 

Yemen 

1 

Syria 

Clients and Learners 

Community Partners 

Charity / Church leaders 

& Volunteers 

1 

1 

6 

Democratic Republic of Congo 

Nigeria 

Ukraine 


75

APPENDIX B – ADDITIONAL 

QUOTES FROM INTERVIEWS 

ESOL LEARNERS & ADVICE SESSIONS 

“6 months I still felt like a stranger in some places because I hadn’t really engaged in community 

beyond the community that spoke the same and dressed the same as me. Then I went to an ESOL 

class at CLEAR and was able to start going further” 

“It wasn’t just good for learning English. It was good for sharing and meeting people in the same 

situation” 

“We started to meet outside the building and spend time together. We went to the theatre even” 

“CLEAR started to feel like a family house. We became very close as a group and our teacher and 

assistants were very friendly” 

“We learnt how we could ask for help and what our rights were” 

“After doing the lessons I was able to volunteer and became an assistant teacher translating Arabic 

to the refugees from different groups” 

“I learnt how to find the shops and shop for food. They helped me look where to set up a bank 

account so I could pay for things” 

“CLEAR’s advisors are life changing. They understand how to help us understand. Paying water 

bills, finding GP, helping me fill in forms for school” 

“It is so helpful to have everything in one place. I know that if I go there I will be helped” 

“The English Class really helped me get a job” 

“The location of CLEAR is very important. CLEAR are visible in the community where there are lots 

of refugees and people hurting” 

“CLEAR is able to support everyone in the community” 

“I really struggled with understanding the process for a job. CLEAR helped me write my application 

and make sure that I was filling in the form. I now have a job” 

“I learnt who I could get support from, and even money management I could last longer with” 

“There was always someone there to help with lots of my questions and give me advice” 

“They helped me register with the NHS and for the dentist and help me with my health” 

“Now I’m working as an IT delivery manager with a big company. I can see I’m getting my life back 

a little bit and even if I have questions I know I can come and ask CLEAR” 

HONG KONG WELCOME 

“Through the classes we were able to learn more about Southampton and knew where to go for 

different things” 


77

“I struggled to know where to look for things and where to go. But the tours of the city and the 

website really helped and now I feel a lot more confident” 

“The main support was through the supporting documents on the website, showing us around 

the city and the different workshops – they helped us find where everything was” 

“Understanding the GP system. It is so different here to back home and without the Hong Kong 

Welcome I would have struggled to understand” 

“The board games, coffee mornings and BBQs really helped my mental health and bridge relationships 

with people like me and the community” 

“Whether it’s participating in local friendship festivals or joining group outings, I’ve formed meaningful 

connections that have lifted my spirits and helped me come out and not stay in isolation.” 

“We really appreciated the Hong Kong Welcome programme. Especially the group where we could 

share information and then connect” 

“The programme was really good to know UK society and how to integrate. To know the police if 

we came across hate crime” 

“Through the programme I got help with special educational needs. I didn’t know where to go but 

I found a community now” 

“My mother enjoyed the tour of the city so much that I think she even went twice. But now she 

can go and do the shopping” 

ENGLISH LANGUAGE CAFES 

“We learned how to speak to a doctor at a GP and how to use our phone to find it” 

“Our group has people from lots of different backgrounds and I could learn about their situations 

as well as mine” 

“Now I have more belief in myself. I’m not shy to ask people to repeat themselves and to take my 

time and answer” 

“Sometimes you are scared to ask for help. Other refugees are scared too but this was a safe 

place where I can ask without worrying whether I will lose my children or support” 

“I found a place where I could talk about my experiences without fear of being misunderstood. 

There were people with different stories but similar to me” 

“My wife told me there were some events happening on Friday in church. They were happening 

every week and gave us involvement and the time to see someone with a friendly face.” 

“There’s people I know who can help when I’m struggling with something like finding somewhere 

new or understanding where to go for things” 

“When I came to the café there were people from the church who helped me with things for my 

house. They helped me with the move because I don’t have a car” 

“The support that the staff give our community is fantastic. They’re always available, always upbeat, 

always proactive and positive” 

“It isn’t enough that you just get people on courses. The provision has to be top-notch and CLEAR 

provide just that” 

“We learn a lot about everyday life. Things that help us understand British life as well as Southampton” 

COMMUNITY PARTNERS 

“I think the work that is done in bridging between communities through schemes like the Hong 

Kong Welcome is crucial in ensuring safe spaces and community cohesion” 

“They play a big part in thinking about things long term. They ensure that people understand the 

systems and that they get plugged in” 

“CLEAR bring tremendous value in bringing people together so that there’s a sense of community 

and linking them into mainstream services” 

“CLEAR go beyond your nuts and bolts of language classes but help overcome issues on community 

tension to foster security” 

“Every individual I’ve worked with representing CLEAR have been pretty impressive. They have 

real expertise in working with migrants and refugees and there’s always been a high level of professionalism 

in understanding the key aspects involved” 

“The team have a level of professionalism about them which means they can cope in really challenging 

positions” 

“They’re [CLEAR] are always coming to the working groups and working partnership with other 

organisations” 

“We’ve worked with CLEAR for a long long time and they’ve always been a strong partner with 

us” – Adult Learning Manager SCC 

“The reason we started, and continue, to work with them is because they are embedded in their 

community. They’ve got really good connections.” 

“it’s what CLEAR do with the learners, the quality of what they deliver, how well they support the 

learners. This is why we keep working with CLEAR” – SCC 

WORLD STAGES NOW 

World Stages Now, provides a safe space not only for refugees, asylum seekers, but anyone 

feeling isolated, lonely or depressed. Using theatre, World Stages Now, improves one’s wellbeing 

especially now when isolation is rampant. Facilitates creation of positives relationships, especially 

for those far away from their loved ones in a new country thus enabling positive integration. 

“As a member of World Stages Now, and a refugee I deeply value the impact this group has had 

on my life throughout the years.” 

“As part of World Stages Now I deeply value the impact World Stages Now has had not only in our 

community but to individuals too….for me that’s particularly in fostering skills such as listening, 

sharing, and inclusion through theatre”. 

“World Stages Now’s commitment in Theatre within Hampshire helped create an atmosphere of 

welcome and inviting dialogue which extends to all, including those seeking sanctuary, refugees 

and asylum seekers in Southampton. This helped a lot in minimising isolation” 

“With World Stages Now I learnt to embrace my creativity and I love it!” 


79

Food Poverty and Food Distribution: The role that 

faith-based groups have in providing and caring for 

their communities. 

ABOUT THE 

AUTHORS 

Jean Hirst is passionate about equipping and 

encouraging individuals, teams, and organisations 

to see positive change and impact within 

their communities. Combining 5 years’ experience 

leading and developing teams in the 

charity sector and over 10 years’ experience 

in public presentation, he engages with a wide 

variety of different contexts and settings. Since 

completing his Masters degree in Management 

Consultancy and Organisational Change, he is 

focused on undertaking research that enables 

a deeper understanding of some of the 

challenges and changes that people face, and 

using these insights to co-create solutions for 

individuals and organisations. 

Professor Keith Brown was the founding Director 

of the National Centre for Post Qualifying 

Social Work and Professional Practice and 

he is an Emeritus Professor at Bournemouth 

University where the Social Work department 

was ranked number 1 in the UK in the 2020 

and 2021 Guardian League Table. 

In 2005 he was awarded the Linda Ammon 

memorial prize sponsored by the then Department 

for Education and Skills awarded to the 

individual making the greatest contribution 

to education and training in the UK. He was 

awarded a Chartered Trading Standard Institute 

[CTSI] ’Institutional Hero’ award in 2017 

recognising the significance of his research 

into financial fraud and scams. 

Funded by Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities 

With over 1.4 million meals estimated to be distributed across Southampton in 

a year (equivalent to £5.8 million worth of food) and over 18,700 hours delivered 

by volunteers, this report clearly evidences the critical role and successful 

collaboration between Love Southampton, faith-based organisations, and local 

government to address food poverty throughout the COVID 19 pandemic. 

Access the full report at www.profkeith.com 

He sits on the DHSC safeguarding advisory board, the joint DHSC and MOJ National Mental Capacity 

Leadership forum and the Home Office Joint Financial task force. He has written over 35 

text books in the fields of social work and leadership and is particularly known for his contributions 

in the areas of Mental Capacity and Leadership. For the past 7 years he has led the National 

research into fraud and scams on behalf of the National Trading Standards Scams team and the 

Chartered Trading Standards Institute. 

Since his retirement from a full time academic post he has been the Independent Chair of the 

NHS Safeguarding Adults National Network, the Chair of the Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults 

Board and the Chair of Love Southampton, a body that represents a number of food banks and 

4 debt advice centres on behalf of the Churches in Southampton. He is also an Ambassador for 

‘Faith in Later Life’, a trustee of At A Loss, and a member of Above Bar Church Southampton. 

Access a range of Professor Keith’s work at www.profkeith.com 


81

Copyright Jean Hirst and Professor Keith Brown 

www.profkeith.com

Love Southampton CLEAR Impact Evaluation Digital

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