Migrant Help Impact Report 2024/25

The impact of rebuilding stolen lives 2024-25

WELCOME FROM OUR CHAIR CO-PRODUCTION ASYLUM SERVICES > Outreach > Safeguarding > Disability Adviser > Age Dispute Adviser > National Referral Mechanism Advisers MODERN SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING SERVICES > England > Scotland > Northern Ireland REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT EU SETTLEMENT SCHEME ADVICE (EUSS) TRANSITION TO eVISA SUPPORT STRATEGIC PROJECTS > Refugee Employability Programme > Activity Pack Project > Migrant Workers Advice and Guidance (Just Good Work App) > Reducing Exploitation > Youth Welfare EVENTS AND AWARENESS RAISING > Connecting the Sector > Building Bridges Conference > Schools Programme > Awareness raising campaigns > Leaving > Unfair Jobs Fair POLICY AND RESEARCH CLEAR VOICE CLOSING WORDS FROM CEO THANK YOU SUPPORT MIGRANT HELP’S WORK 2

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The illustrations used throughout this report have been produced by a collective of diverse, multi-media illustrators inspired by the genuine stories and experiences of our clients and employees.

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The summer of 2024 brought an unprecedented wave of hatred towards the people that Migrant Help works with. The riots, fuelled by misinformation and racist rhetoric, had a profound effect on our clients as well as our colleagues, many of whom have sought sanctuary in the UK in the past.

We had to adjust our services to ensure the safety of our staff, and we worked in partnerships with other charities to ensure that people seeking asylum who were directly targeted received the support they needed – from reassuring words to a new set of clothes after their accommodation had been attacked.

Throughout these dark times, we were encouraged and heartened by the kindness and support of our communities.

Beyond our shores, ballots have reshaped the geopolitical landscape.

The United States returned Donald Trump to the White House in a fiercely contested election,

South Africans produced the country’s first national coalition since 1994, Iran chose reform minded Masoud Pezeshkian after the death of incumbent President Raisi, and Bangladesh held a January poll marked by low turnout and opposition boycotts. Each election result will influence migration drivers, whether through economic policy, regional security or human rights protections, and therefore shapes the context in which we operate.

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At the same time, conflicts across the globe

We continued to support our clients –

Our Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP)

Our award-winning social enterprise subsidiary,

have intensified. The war in Gaza entered

people seeking asylum, refugees and survivors of modern slavery.

members have been involved in a number of key

Clear Voice, continued to support a growing

projects during the year, with 337 clients taking

number of organisations with high-quality

part in co-produced activities, delivering 211

interpreting and translation services. Its innovative

internal improvements and contributing to 31 external policy and research programmes.

‘InPower Project’ trained and supported

its second year with peace talks still faltering, and civilian casualties and famine risk rising daily.

Our asylum services worked with the highest number

Sudan’s civil war has escalated dramatically,

of clients yet, with more than 120,000 people

weaponising relief aid and displacing millions,

supported and over a million phone calls to

Yemen remains volatile despite intermittent

our helpline answered.

truces, and Ukraine continues to be under attack.

210 refugees in obtaining qualifications and securing employment.

Our strategic projects, funded by Migrant Help, deliver impact beyond our core services with the

In September 2024, we were delighted to see our

Our high-quality frontline teams assisted

aim of identifying and addressing gaps in provision

CEO, Caroline O’Connor, recognised as the

Together with crises in Myanmar, the Sahel,

more than 3,000 survivors of modern slavery

and providing a more holistic support to

‘CEO of the Year’ at the Third Sector Awards

Haiti and the eastern DRC, these conflicts have

and trafficking across England, Scotland and

vulnerable people across the country, often in

for her leadership and transformative impact on

pushed the global total of forcibly displaced people

Northern Ireland.

collaboration with other charities in our sector.

the organisation.

Our EU Settlement Scheme advice team continued

These include our Youth Welfare programme, the

I will be stepping down as Chair at the end of May

to reach the most vulnerable populations, advising

National Referral Mechanism (NRM) team, our schools programme, but also the Community Hubs and Building, Empowering, Protecting and Supporting (BEPS) grant programmes,

2025, but I leave Migrant Help in the capable hands

among others.

society grow, conflicts across the world continuing

to over 122 million (one in every 67 human beings on the planet).

In the UK, the year brought a change in government and new pieces of legislation affecting

more than 30,000 people and submitting nearly 1500 applications to the scheme.

both our asylum and modern slavery services.

The newly introduced eVisa support team

Looking ahead, as we see the divisions within our

We had to adapt to these changes quickly to

reached over 24,000 clients and helped to

ensure effective delivery of our services. Our teams

submit more than 2,000 applications. We also

We continued our public engagement, awareness

to focus on hope, humanity and empathy,

grew as the demand on support increased and we

helped 60 families arriving under a refugee

raising and policy work to counter misinformation

values that we know are shared by most people in

have welcomed our 600th staff member during

resettlement scheme to settle into their new

and promote a more compassionate narrative

the UK.

the year.

communities and access key services and

around immigration and asylum.

and the climate crisis worsening, we are determined

educational and employment opportunities.

Against this backdrop, the compassion and

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of Sir Hugh Bayley.

practical support offered by Migrant Help’s

We continue our commitment to working together

staff, volunteers and partners is nothing short

with people with lived experience to develop our

of vital.

services and influence policy and legislation.

We will continue to work hard to champion the Our Unfair Jobs Fair campaign, launched in

voices of people affected by displacement and

autumn 2024 to raise awareness of of modern slavery, was shortlisted for the Purpose Awards in the Best Use of Creativity category.

exploitation as they seek to rebuild their stolen lives.

Madhavi Vadera - Chair of the Board of Trustees 7

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We were extremely proud to see one of our LEAP members join Migrant Help’s Board of Trustees in April 2024. Loretta was originally supported by our charity as a survivor of modern slavery, and eventually joined one of our panels to, in her own words: “… give my voice to support people that might be in a

similar situation to the one that I’d found myself in, and use that voice to help Migrant Help and The Salvation Army improve this service.”

Our clients’ insights reached a wide range of audiences, including at Migrant Help’s annual Building

Bridges conference, and have helped guide over 30 responses to research and policy issues such as trauma-informed care, public health, modern slavery, and immigration legislation. Lived experience is now shaping decisions at the highest levels of the charity, supported by regular strategy meetings between the National LEAP and Senior Leadership, and a LEAP Trustee speaking at Board level.

Together with people with lived experience, we’ve made 211 improvements across our work including clearer, more accessible client information and developing digital tools such as the Just Good Work app. The co-production toolkit supported 17 projects, and we piloted client involvement in staff recruitment. Highlights include a co-designed Employability Mentoring Programme, with two-thirds of participants feeling more job-ready, and an expanded Conversational English programme, where everyone made progress.

Learning and development have also grown, with LEAP members taking part in training on leadership, research, and public speaking. A LEAP member described the community as “a beehive where we are

all working together.” These reflections say it all, co-production is not just a method, it’s a movement a beehive where we are all working together 10 9

that’s making a real difference.

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It’s been six years since I left my homeland, and while I feel myself drifting from my culture,

I’m rediscovering who I am and rewriting my own story. I’ve called Paisley, Scotland, home since July 2022. It’s here, amidst challenges and change, that I’m building a new sense of belonging.

On my first day at a health centre in Paisley, I was scared, unwell, and had almost lost all hope. I wore a pink bandana that day, and the nurse noticed it right away. “I love the Paisley print on your scarf,” she said. “Did you know this will be your new home now?” At that moment, it felt like the universe was giving me a subtle sign - just a feather on my shoulder - reassuring me that I’d be safe here.

From that point forward, Migrant Help stepped in, providing me with shelter, food, clothing, and most importantly, a deep commitment to my mental and physical wellbeing.

My journey with them began with counselling, a safe place to stay, and regular check-ins.

They connected me with other resources too, like churches, which offered both spiritual support and a new path toward self-discovery. Through Migrant Help, I was referred to Glasgow City Mission, where my caseworkers stood by me as I pursued various employability courses that eventually led to certifications.

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Those small wins made me see the possibilities ahead, and I felt a renewed sense of positivity.

My caseworker then suggested I join the Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP), where I could share my experiences and ideas. Being part of the team made me feel brave and respected, though I eventually needed to step away to prioritise my mental health over the past year.

My newfound community led me to Sewing Together All Nations, where I volunteered. I also learned about a course called Health Issues in the Community, facilitated by the Mental Health Foundation.

After completing the course, we produced a podcast designed to help New Scots navigate the asylum process. Later, I attended a microaggressions workshop, with our collective work featured at the

Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). Today, I am a reporter for Migrant Women Press and a community development student at the University of Glasgow.

I share my story to illustrate how a sense of belonging, growth, and wellbeing can be cultivated with the right support. Migrant Help’s understanding of trauma and its commitment to holistic care have been instrumental in shaping who I am and who I am becoming.

Recently, I rejoined the LEAP. I didn’t feel guilty about asking if I could come back, because they continued to follow up on my wellbeing, making it clear that I was valued and could return whenever I was ready. This support beats tokenism and makes me feel genuinely valued. To belong, people need hope,

peace, support, and honesty, and to thrive, we need opportunities! Thank you to all of you for being there for the world and contributing to the change that we want to see.

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Asanteni Sana Member of a Lived Experience Advisory Panel

War and persecution force people all over the world to flee their homes. UNHCR estimates that, by the end of April 2025, over 122 million people were forcibly displaced globally.

Since 1963, Migrant Help has welcomed people seeking sanctuary as they arrive in the UK. Our services are here to provide impartial advice and guidance and support people seeking asylum as they navigate this complex process.

This year we assisted more people than ever before. Our helpline answered over one million calls and

65,000 webchats from people who needed our help. Our teams helped submit more than 68,000 applications for support.

We provided over half a million individual pieces of advice and guidance - a 30% increase on the previous year.

We also supported nearly 42,000 refugees following a positive decision on their asylum claim to advise on

access to employment and housing.

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As the number of people needing our help grew, we focused on making their experience better, cutting average wait times on our helpline to just two minutes, and launching a new and improved client portal to give our clients easy access to our services and the ability to check on the progress of their

support applications.

We also introduced phone and SMS services in three languages and redesigned our induction materials in co-production with our Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP).

Our team of Community Liaison Coordinators continued to connect our clients with services and support available within their regions and worked in partnerships with other charities to address the needs of people seeking asylum.

They organised kite flying, cooking events, opportunities to attend football and cricket games,

kayaking sessions, and much more.

The annual Christmas appeal in Birmingham was a heroic effort of dozens of volunteers who donated, fundraised, collected and wrapped an amazing 4,437 gifts which were distributed to children, men and women across the West Midlands.

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Our Outreach service provides advice, guidance and support to the most vulnerable of our clients, such as survivors of trafficking, torture, domestic abuse, and those with additional needs.

This year saw a welcome increase in our face-to-face work, with the Outreach team extending drop-in services to more hotels across the UK. By the end of the year, we were present in 39 hotels, providing in-person support to people who may otherwise have struggled to access help.

In total, this year the team supported 6,030 people, almost 10% more than last year. The vast majority (84%) of the support we provided was via telephone or video calls, with 962 people receiving

face-to-face support.

We worked closely with the Home Office’s safeguarding teams and asylum housing providers to ensure clear pathways for responding to cases of domestic abuse, always prioritising safety and dignity.

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When Sara* reached out to us, she disclosed that she was pregnant and a survivor of domestic

abuse. The perpetrator was her partner, who at that point, was out of the county.

Our Outreach team helped her apply for asylum support and guided her through her options for

safe accommodation, including refuge spaces.

We signposted her to appropriate legal representation, specialist domestic abuse support, and made sure she was registered with a GP.

We agreed a discreet code word with Sara, so she could alert us quickly if she ever felt unsafe.

Our support continues as she takes steps towards safety and stability for herself and her baby.

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*Name changed to protect identity

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Throughout the year, we continued improving our safeguarding services and

introduced changes including refreshed training, a new safeguarding strategy and a defined framework for our Safeguarding Champions.

We have improved how incidents are reported and reviewed, introduced new guidance and video training, and moved to deeper reviews of selected incidents to help us increase our learning.

We also ran regular ‘Lessons Learnt’ meetings and shared the outcomes across the organisation.

The Safeguarding team attends coroner’s investigations, supports complex casework, and represents Migrant Help at key meetings with accommodation providers, subcontractors, and the Home Office.

Supporting vulnerable clients can be challenging, so to protect our advisers, we introduced several wellbeing measures.

The team now has regular clinical supervision with a qualified specialist, giving space to reflect on cases, and in June 2024, the team also came together for their first in-person team day to truly connect with their colleagues.

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Our Disability Adviser provides extra support to clients with disabilities. The support offered varies based on needs and includes social services follow-ups, signposting to

specialist organisations and accessibility advice.

The Disability Adviser assisted 318 clients in the year and has provided disability

awareness training to client-facing teams across the charity.

They continued to advise Migrant Help staff on supporting clients with disabilities by creating a range of resources to increase knowledge and understanding of different disabilities, including ‘disability factsheets’.

We are always reviewing ways to make Migrant Help more accessible and our hope for next year is to have a specialist Lived Experience Advisory Panel for our clients with disabilities.

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Today

I feel good because no one told me this information be f ore , and no one explained to me like you did

The Age Dispute Adviser suppor ts clients who are applying for asylum support and state that they are under 18 years old. The adviser makes the necessary enquiries with the Home Office, referring to social services as required and providing clients with information on their rights and entitlements when disputing their age.

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Migrant Help is a first responder organisation. This means that we are authorised to refer potential victims of modern slavery into the government framework called the National Referral Mechanism (NRM).

This year, we submitted 259 NRM statements and 203 (78%) received a positive reasonable grounds decision. In comparison, nationally only 53% of referrals made by statutory and non-statutory first responders received positive reasonable grounds outcomes.

The high rate of positive decisions by our team is evidence that our client-centred, trauma-informed approach to supporting our clients leads to better outcomes for the potential victim of modern slavery.

“You are One of our advisers played an important role in a case of modern slavery being investigated by Greater

doing the

Manchester Police. She was praised by the Detective Sergeant who deals with cases of Modern Slavery

best job, seeing

and Exploitation for the care with which the referral was completed.

This made it possible for the information to be corroborated, leading to the investigation being opened.

This shows the importance of NRM referrals and how crucial they are in supporting survivors and preventing further exploitation.

you do your incredible work in a world

adviser was polite, showed that “My doesn’t

empathy and addressed

usuallysituation care, thisprofessionally gives keeping in

me hope. mind that a resolution is key.

you for your support and I will Thank be okay,

I was hopeful after thank youunderstanding, so, so much, I can’t

talking to the adviser, I am grateful.”

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appreciate you enough.”

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During this year, we continued delivering high-quality frontline support to survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking across the UK, assisting 3,081 clients.

Our Modern Slavery Lived Experience Advisory Panels (LEAP) went from strength to strength, with co-production being embedded into our working practices. The members were involved in co-producing and delivering content for our annual Modern Slavery Staff Conference and also produced tools and resources to complement our service delivery, ensuring Migrant Help’s services are trauma-informed and accessible to all.

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In England, our Modern Slavery Victim Care (MSVC) team supported 1,418 clients over the year, with different forms of exploitation, the most prevalent being domestic servitude,

criminal, sexual and labour exploitation.

In Scotland, it was the first time that the Trafficking and Exploitation Support Services (TESS) team worked with over one thousand clients (1,020). The top five nationalities In July 2024, representatives from Migrant Help participated in the UN Office On Drugs and Crime Constructive Dialogue on Trafficking in Persons to shape thought leadership and share best practice with other international organisations.

Staff and LEAP members were given the opportunity to volunteer at the Glastonbury Festival

2024. This partnership also resulted in a donation which was used to refurbish and redecorate

from that period were Vietnamese (accounting for 36%), Eritrean, Sudanese, Albanian and Iranian.

In Northern Ireland, we continued to grow and supported 643 clients. We are proud of our successful partnerships that help provide longer term support for those most in need, and to empower our clients with skills development for the next steps in their journeys.

accommodation for survivors .

We worked collaboratively with partners to create a Manifesto for Long Term Improvements in the Government’s response to modern slavery in the UK.

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“I have no words to thank you.

I really appreciate and thank you all, for the way you all are helping and protecting both of us.

I am really happy that God has handed me over to such a nice group of people.”

Over the past year, our teams have made a huge difference to the lives of clients whilst also shaping policy, building important partnerships with local organisations, and improving the wellbeing of staff members.

The team strengthened responses to modern slavery through training, awareness raising and policy

engagement, including submitting evidence to the Joint Committee on Human Rights, and providing input into National Care Standards. Our Lived Experience Advisory Panel played a central role in this, influencing parliamentary discussions, contributing to research, and ensuring that survivors’ voices shaped policy and practice.

Helping shape systems is hugely important but so is supporting people – and we do this most effectively through our key partnerships with other non-profit organisations, from global players such as British Red Cross, to local, grassroots charities up and down the country. Our partnerships help create new opportunities for survivors, such as employment pathways and mentoring support.

A big change for the team this year was the opening of our new Whitechapel office. This created a much-needed space to bring the team together, allowing for more face-to-face support – not only for clients but for peer support amongst colleagues.

Building a sense of community is vital to our services, and little acts of kindness can make a huge difference. In Kent , we held a surprise 80th birthday party for a client we are supporting that was attended by both staff and clients. We were also able to provide clients with gym memberships and bus passes, and secured funding from the local council to buy food and clothes vouchers.

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When I entered Migrant Help community, I was confused and helpless, but the support from all of you has made me the happiest and proudest version of myself. So far, I have achieved many good new things and have learnt to live life being here, with your support. It’s sad to say goodbye to you all, but I hope to see you all again in good times in the future.

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Raheem* arrived in the UK seeking asylum after surviving exploitation in Libya and enduring torture on his journey from Sudan. Upon arrival, he struggled with severe anxiety and depression, which led to

distressing heart palpitations. With the help of Talking Therapy and guidance from a mentor at a local refugee organisation, Raheem began to heal. His outlook improved so significantly that he no longer needed medication.

At first, Raheem was placed in shared accommodation, which deeply triggered memories of past trauma. We advocated for him to have his own space, and he was eventually granted a private room, which was a crucial step in his recovery.

Raheem was later granted refugee status. Thanks to strong collaboration with a local charity, he was offered accommodation by the local authority. From there, his life began to flourish. After volunteering in a charity shop, he secured a part-time job and earned his Security Industry Authorisation.

He also applied for a mechanic apprenticeship, completed his English Functional Skills qualifications, and became confident communicating without the need for an interpreter.

But perhaps the most joyful milestone: Raheem’s wife has been granted a family reunification visa and

will be joining him soon.

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41 *Name changed to protect identity

The highlight of the year for the team in Scotland was being able to support over a thousand

people for the first time.

Not only did we support more people than ever before, but through client feedback, we know that clients have been happy with the service our team has provided. They feel listened to and have commented that our staff are caring, understanding and supportive.

Clients also consistently report feeling empowered through their time in our support.

Our outreach services have also improved, with a significant increase in the number of clients we’re supporting in the communities where they live.

We also continued investing in our team’s development and were pleased that the whole team now received

trauma-informed training from the Helen Bamber Foundation.

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Along the way, Khoa was trafficked and exploited. And even after reaching asylum accommodation in the UK, his ordeal wasn’t over.

He was re-trafficked - taken from his temporary housing and forced to work on a cannabis farm.

Isolated and terrified, he eventually managed to escape and reached out for help on his own.

That’s when Migrant Help's team stepped in. Because Khoa had been re-trafficked during the asylum process, he missed critical deadlines for submitting information to the Home Office. His asylum claim was withdrawn, and with it, his access to support. But his caseworker didn’t give up.

They helped Khoa find a solicitor to reopen his asylum and National Referral Mechanism (NRM) case.

Once his claim was re-established, Scottish Refugee Council helped with support to get him back on his feet. Khoa was eventually placed in safe accommodation provided by the Home Office.

Years of trauma had left Khoa deeply anxious. He struggled to leave his accommodation, gripped by

fear and panic. Our team referred him to CRISIS counselling and The Anchor, Glasgow’s specialist psychological trauma service.

Today, Khoa continues to engage with mental health support and is on the waiting list for The Safe Place

to Cope group, a therapeutic programme through The Anchor.

The impact has been profound. Khoa now volunteers regularly with Crookston Community Group, a local organisation that’s helped him reconnect with others and rebuild a sense of belonging.

45 *Name changed to protect identity

In the year leading up to March 2025, we successfully rolled out the ‘Star’ programme by

the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), specifically focused on adult male survivors of trafficking. This 12-week programme aims to prepare clients for the world of work through life, digital and employment skills specific to the Northern Ireland landscape.

This scheme positively impacted the lives of over 30 clients and culminated in a presentation ceremony at Stormont, which was attended by participants and families, dignitaries and representatives from other community groups in Northern Ireland.

Another highlight for the Northern Ireland team was the successful launch of new accommodation in a beautiful, rural location outside of Belfast which will be a haven for up to eight clients, bringing some

much-needed peace and tranquillity to their lives.

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Our re-settlement team supports clients as they settle into their new lives in the UK.

They can help with things like employment, English classes, access to health services and education.

This year saw us expand our re-settlement work as we launched a new resettlement service in Watford. This allowed us to support 60 families and a total of 255 clients.

Our services have been developed with our resettlement Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAP), and we are continuing to work together on English language lessons, befriending services and partnerships with specialist mental health providers.

Through this process, we have been able to ensure a robust, holistic approach to ensuring our clients receive the support they require to successfully adapt to life in their new communities.

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Our EUSS team plays a vital role in securing the futures of vulnerable EU, EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members living in the UK.

Through this service, we support clients who are elderly, isolated, disabled, or have experienced

domestic abuse or human trafficking.

In the last year, we provided support to 30,966 clients, helping to submit 1,496 applications for individuals to continue living and working in the UK.

We worked with partners across England to deliver 30 regular face-to-face clinics. This means we are building strong connections within the sector, helping more people, and have a presence across the whole of England.

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Jennifer* , a Romanian national of Gypsy Roma origin, had been living in the UK since 2018. She was referred to us by Leeds City Council’s Gypsy Roma Traveller Outreach Team, as she was in a controlling relationship, pregnant with her second child, and caring for a toddler.

Previous attempts to secure Jennifer’s status under the EUSS had failed, leaving her uncertain of where to turn. With limited documentation, no digital access, and ongoing childcare responsibilities, she faced significant barriers.

Our EUSS team worked closely with the Home Office Vulnerability Team, using a flexible and individual approach to strengthen her application. Within two weeks of submission, Jennifer was

granted settled status.

This life-changing outcome has given her secure immigration status, enabling access to healthcare, housing, work, and welfare support – and the stability to move forward independently with her children.

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In August 2024, we were notified by the Home Office that we had been successful in our application to deliver the new ‘transition to eVisa’ service in England for an initial period of 12 months.

This service supports vulnerable and at-risk clients who need help with creating their UKVI account and getting access to their eVisa.

This service employs 22 members of staff, delivering services both remotely and face to face from

more than 90 locations across England.

Similar to our EUSS service, our model is based on developing relationships with local community organisations who align with our organisations aims.

So far, this programme has supported 16,322 clients to access their eVisa as documents such as biometric residency permits are phased out.

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The Refugee Employability Programme (REP) delivered by Migrant Help in North Yorkshire, the

Humber, and Kent, assisted refugees with essential skills to get ready for the workplace.

Throughout the course of the programme, REP supported 175 clients, with engagement and retention at exceptionally high levels.

The course provided holistic support, from practical skills such as CV writing and work-related training,

language support via our sister organisation Clear Voice, to signposting for services such as mental health support and confidence building courses.

Delivery of the course was tailored to the client, with some preferring face-to-face engagement and others opting for remote sessions delivered online. The REP team also worked to engage with employers, matching clients to opportunities and developing pathways to sustainable roles.

Using the STAR assessment tool, 85% of clients showed measurable improvement across various aspects of life such as housing, health, practical English, education and work and community engagement.

In Yorkshire and Humber, just over a third of participants started work following the course, and in Kent the figure was slightly higher, at over 40%. Crucially, an incredible 96% of clients felt REP helped them 56 01

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move forward in their journey towards employment.

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I have worked with the Employment Adviser from Migrant Help for 18 months and she has been a huge help in moving some of our clients from Afghanistan forward in their employability skills and training.

She has been a regular fixture in clients’ lives, offering continuity and professional expertise as well as being warm and approachable, which has built a trusted relationship.

She has met them in various locations or online and has been flexible in her work, researching appropriate pathways and sharing information with our team along the way.

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Canterbury Council

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Clients awaiting a decision on their asylum claim often feel isolated and lonely in their accommodation.

In addition to this, the riots at the end of July and early August 2024 caused a lot of anxiety and worry amongst our clients. Many were reluctant to leave their accommodation out of fear.

Migrant Help developed a scheme to create activity packs, from sports equipment to arts, crafts and board games. The packs were designed to help relieve boredom and isolation and encourage integration and opportunities to converse in English.

Following a successful pilot scheme in 2022, internal funding was secured to distribute activity packs to client accommodation.

The Building, Empowering, Protecting and Supporting (BEPS) fund awarded the project just under £6,800 to expand the

scheme to reach clients across the UK.

In total, 68 packs were distributed benefitting an estimated 8,700 clients.

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Migrant workers advice and guidance (Just Good Work app) Through our Migrant Workers Advice and Guidance project, we collaborated with Fifty-Eight

Global to develop a dedicated section within the Just Good Work app that addresses key issues such as recruitment practices, immigration and visa requirements, employment fees, and workplace rights.

This initiative was designed to support some of the most vulnerable people entering the UK job market, helping them avoid exploitation and navigate complex systems with confidence.

The ‘Migrant Help’ area of the app offers multilingual content, available in both audio and text formats in 11 languages, making it accessible to a wide range of users. It also provides offline access and secure

document storage for items like employment contracts and ID documents.

With over 800 downloads to date, the app has proven to be a trusted tool for migrant workers, particularly those from countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. Through this partnership, Migrant Help ensured that critical guidance reached clients, empowering them with key knowledge at the start of their employment journey.

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Reducing Exploitation We recognised that there is a lack of information available to people seeking asylum on the risks of exploitation. Limited financial support available, rising costs of living, and longer stays in temporary accommodation all contribute the increased risks of exploitation. Without enough awareness of the dangers involved in cash-in-hand work or county lines, people seeking asylum are at risk of entering into arrangements which could lead to criminalisation.

To address these challenges, we have established a Reducing Exploitation Lived Experience

Advisory Panel to support with our first fully co-produced strategic project.

The group developed resources on the following topics, available in 16 different languages:

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Since the original Youth Welfare pilot was established in 2021, the project has grown significantly and now includes four providers who are delivering services to support young people seeking asylum in seven different locations in England and Wales.

Over the duration of this project, the Youth Welfare programme has worked with more than 2,500

vulnerable young people and has engaged with numerous local statutory and non-statutory organisations to help reduce isolation and ensure that these vulnerable young people receive the

support they need. With the aim of continuing to develop and improve, we are reviewing the membership of our steering group to ensure it best reflects the needs of the service and how we can ensure its sustainability.

We are in the process of identifying those with lived experience, both existing and past clients who have been supported by the Youth Welfare project to join the group. This will provide a valuable insight into areas for development as well as ensuring our clients have meaningful input into the future of this service.

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Adam*, a 19-year-old from Sudan, was supported by the Youth Welfare project, delivered by Young

Roots, from April 2023.

He was initially anxious about his asylum case, lacked legal representation, and did not have an ARC identity card. Through one-to-one support, our partners, Young Roots, helped Adam obtain his

ARC card, found an immigration solicitor to represent him in his asylum case and supported him to attend regular appointments.

Young Roots also assisted Adam in registering for college, where he began improving his English and gaining new skills.

Participating in social activities at Young Roots helped Adam make friends and improve his overall wellbeing. His mood and outlook significantly improved, and in October, his asylum claim was

accepted, granting him refugee status. Young Roots continues to support him with housing, employment, and future planning.

68 *Name changed to protect identity

Connecting the Sector This year, we started a new series of free conferences with the purpose of bringing together grassroot organisations in our sector to share resources and best practice through expert speakers, networking and

collaboration to aid us all with our shared goal of supporting clients.

Each conference has its own theme, and the events take place across the country to ensure we reach as many organisations as we can. So far, our events have had a 100% overall satisfaction rate.

At our second event in Manchester, 100% of attendees said they made a new partnership or connection at the event – showing the opportunities that the conferences can open.

Our events have seen a steady growth in numbers, with our Connecting the Sector community

steadily expanding.

An incredible 100% of attendees said they would consider coming to another Connecting the Sector event. We are so excited to watch these events grow.

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The event was incredibly valuable, providing critical insights on building effective partnerships and managing volunteers with lived experience. The exceptional speakers shared vital strategies that we can all apply in our work to make a real difference.

Building Bridges Conference In July, we held our fourth annual Building Bridges conference. The free event aims to bring together those working in the asylum and immigration sectors - other charities, community organisations, statutory bodies, healthcare services, and local authorities. Its purpose is to discuss ways in which we can work together and collaborate to best support our clients.

This year’s event theme and agenda were co-produced for the first time with four of our Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) members. The outcome was the theme ‘Sharing Hope', and with topics of co-production, partnership working to benefit clients, countering negative narratives in communities and media, storytelling, and more, hope shone throughout.

We were pleased with the positive feedback, people told us they left feeling inspired through thought-provoking conversations, creating new connections and sparking collaborative ideas.

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Schools Programme During the second year of our Schools Programme, we visited 16 schools in eight different counties across Scotland, England and Wales - engaging over 2,000 students from 7 years old, through to 16 years old, with around 70% being delivered to primary school aged children. Additionally, we created a range of downloadable resources and media content to help even more schools and students

engage with the programme.

Our aim stayed the same – to engage with teachers and pupils across the UK to help them understand the positive impact of migration and integration whilst also empowering young minds.

The biggest highlight of this year was our first in-person schools’ event which saw almost

100 students from eight schools come together in Birmingham.

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The day consisted of talks from guest speakers as well as thoughtfully constructed activities and exhibits making use of our ‘Bags of Hope’ and ‘Eskander’s Journey’ exhibits.

We exhibited the schools programme from a stand at the Festival of Education in the grounds of Wellington College. Collaborating in partnership with Clear Voice, we engaged with hundreds of participants alongside gaining valuable contacts to further promote the

programme with decision makers in educational establishments across the UK.

Finally, we hosted our second annual webinar in October for 33 attendees from schools, local authorities, charities and other interested individuals, which opened doors to more bookings through follow-up discussions and meetings.

The feedback received from staff and students was very positive, with 93% stating that the sessions were informative, engaging and worthwhile for the students involved.

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Leaving The theme of Refugee Week 2024 was ‘Our Home’, inviting us to all reflect on what home means to us – is it a physical space, or something we carry within us? Is it in a treasured possession that comes with us no matter where our home currently is, or the one dish we cook to

remind ourselves of where we come from?

And how does it feel to have to leave all of this behind, to pack your life into a bag or two and

move into the unknown? That is something that many of our clients, and colleagues, have been through. And it is this feeling that we tried to relay through our Refugee Week campaign ‘Leaving’.

The video-based campaign featured a family in just that situation – frantically packing their belongings as they’re forced to leave at a moment’s notice. The film was accompanied by

beautiful words written exclusively for Migrant Help by the Somali-British poet Momtaza Mehri, read by the wonderful Adjoa Andoh.

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Unfair Jobs Fair To mark the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery on 2 December 2024, Migrant Help launched a campaign to raise awareness of modern slavery in the UK.

Called the Unfair Jobs Fair, the campaign was based around a PR stunt used to create video content.

Migrant Help, posing as a recruitment agency ‘LockedIn Recruitment’, took part in the London Careers

Fair on 15 November and advertised jobs based on our client stories. Jobseekers coming into the fair and interacting with the stall were filmed before it was revealed that these weren’t ordinary jobs: they were the traps of modern slavery.

The video campaign featured footage of participants discovering the reality of modern slavery, a press release and a package of information and statistics on modern slavery.

We were delighted to see the campaign shortlisted for the Purpose Awards in the Best Use of

Creativity category.

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Policy and Research Over the year, we undertook a broad programme of policy engagement, research collaboration, and international advocacy.

Our work focused on empowering the voices of those with lived experience, informing government and parliamentary inquiries, strengthening support systems for vulnerable populations and contributing to sector-wide learning.

In terms of evidence and inquiry, we contributed to multiple calls for evidence and policy consultations, including the following...

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In terms of evidence and inquiry, we contributed to multiple calls for evidence and policy consultations, including:

A co-produced submission from LEAP members to the

Work and Pensions Committee inquiry into Jobcentre Plus, resulting in an invitation to present oral evidence in May 2025.

Submissions to the House of Lords Select

Committee on the Modern Slavery Act, the Joint Committee on Human Rights (on Forced Labour in Supply Chains and the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill).

Attendance at the launch of the APPG report

The Effects of UK Immigration Policy on Poverty where LEAP members contributed through discussion groups.

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We deepened our research partnerships Centring the voices of those with lived

We also contributed to sector

experience remained key to our work:

learning through:

of Westminster, leading to training

We delivered a policy workshop for people

A Stronger Together webinar with the

opportunities for national LEAP members.

with lived experience to build advocacy skills

Gangmasters and Labour Abuse

and understanding of UK policy processes.

Authority, focusing on updates to the

and historical understanding by:

Initiating collaboration with the University

Modern Slavery Act.

Submitting a research bid to the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence

We shared best practice at the Freedom

Centre (MSPEC) to explore long-term

From Slavery Forum in Brussels, promoting

Participation in key forums including the

outcomes for survivors.

survivor-led approaches internationally.

Human Trafficking Foundation Advisory Forum, Modern Slavery

Discovered archival material on our

We partnered with Epic Consultants and the

Act Conference, and International

founder Helen Ellis at the Gostelli

UK Health Security Agency to strengthen

Anti-Human Trafficking

Foundation in Switzerland, reaffirming her

engagement with vulnerable populations.

Network meetings.

legacy and impact on UK migration policy.

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And finally, taking our work global our international advocacy efforts included:

Representing Migrant Help at the Global Forum on

Migration and Development Summit in Geneva, contributing to roundtable consultations with over 130 delegates.

Collaborating with the UN Network on Migration Action Committee to shape international priorities.

Delivering an intervention at the UNODC Constructive Dialogues on Trafficking in Persons,

sharing frontline insights and advocating for survivor-centred policy frameworks.

Attending the Summit of the Future at the

UN Headquarters in New York.

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Clear Voice, our commercial language services provider subsidiary, which operates as a social enterprise in the UK, continues to go from strength to strength, again reporting double-digit growth with a 21% increase in revenue.

This has resulted in an increase in the Gift Aid donation to Migrant Help to the sum of

£3.7m, the majority of which is allocated to the funding of essential strategic projects.

In addition, Clear Voice’s innovative 'InPower Project' has trained and supported an increasing number of refugees to qualify as professional interpreters, with

210 completing the course over the past year, and obtaining the qualifications that will enable them to operate successfully in the competitive UK interpreter marketplace.

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This year brought intensified conflicts, more

misogyny, transphobia, racism, homophobia

The year saw increased activities across all our

Each of us represents a small spark of light and

natural disasters, rising right-wing movements,

through intolerant and dangerous messaging.

services, both in the number of people we worked

warmth, like a candle in a dark room.

with and in the complexity of the challenges

Together, we break through and create a

they faced.

beacon to those who may join our efforts and to

anti-LGBTQI+ activity and escalating racism.

The digital age has turned into a digital darkness, People seeking justice, safety and peace find

with misinformation and disinformation

themselves increasingly marginalised and vilified.

weaponised to influence elections and public

Our partnerships have grown, and alongside

opinion, with deep-fakes being substituted for

these, our collective accomplishments have

I thank all who have worked alongside us

And the people who stand with them, working in

reality and gas-lighting happening on the

multiplied, from our Modern Slavery Manifesto

this past year.

the third sector, campaigning, volunteering and

international stage.

with other leading charities, our Connecting the

contributing, face new challenges to reach those who need our help and to access the means to

support them.

We share the true stories.

Sector events, charitable activities like our Youth Welfare and Reducing Exploitation projects,

Our colleagues and our partner organisations

as well as developments in our contractual work,

stand up every day to the outright hatred, the

as with the expansion of our commissioning

World leaders seem to avert their eyes from the

online toxicity and the general apathy in which we

framework and our Star Project with the IOM.

horrors of airstrikes, aid blockades,

find ourselves. We adjust our services to provide the

man-made famine, wartime sexual

support that people experiencing displacement

When we are pushing back against the

violence, kidnapping, subjugation and torture.

and exploitation need in these difficult times.

darkness, it is good to do it together.

But across the world, people are in the streets cal-

And we reach out with compassion and kindness,

My colleagues remain the most extraordinary

ling for peace and human rights.

recognising the urgent need to give the people

part of working at Migrant Help.

We cannot turn away.

cultural views, promoting uber-nationalism,

Your light is extraordinary.

Caroline O’Connor, CEO

who have lost the most, the best of humanity and the feeling of hope.

We lift each other up, look after one another and remind ourselves that goodness and gentleness

We see the resurgence of extremist political and

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those who need our presence.

We stand with the people we serve.

do not denote a lack of strength.

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At Migrant Help, we are deeply grateful to the many organisations, partners, funders, and individuals who have supported our work over the past year.

Your collaboration, generosity, and shared commitment to empowering and protecting people with lived experience of migration and exploitation have made a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve.

Whether through funding, partnership, advocacy, referrals, outreach, or practical support, each contribution has helped us build a more compassionate and effective support system.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the following...

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Anchor (NHS Glasgow Psychological

Dover Food Bank

International Organisation

RAMH & GAMH

in Scotland (SOHTIS)

Trauma Service)

Dover Pantry

for Migration (IOM)

Reconome

TGP Cymru

Anyjob Maintenance

DPIA

Islamic Relief Worldwide

Red Cross

Thames Valley Police

Ashurst LLP

East Belfast Mission

ISS Produce

Reed in Partnership

The Big Local

Asylum Mental Health and Wellbeing

EKC Ashford College

IT Desk

Refugee Action

The Clothing Collective

Team

Entraide

JobCentre

Refugee Action York

The Good Things Foundation

ATLEU

Epic Consultants

Joinher Network

Refugee Council

The Growth Company

Authentic Centre Coventry

Erewash Voluntary Action - Council for

JustRight Scotland

Refuweegee

The Gym Group

Barnardo’s BOLOH

Voluntary Service

Keith Kerrigan, Clinical Supervisor

Regional Strategic Migration Partner-

The Human Trafficking Foundation

BCWA

Essex County Council

Kevin Blackman & Eve Massie

ships (SMPs)

The Magpie Project

Beehive Dover

Extern

(Job Centres Oxfordshire)

Rotherham Ethnic Minority Alliance

Their Voice Charity UK

Bike Project

Fabulous Klive

Learning 4 Life

(REMA)

Total Wellbeing Luton

Bikes For Refugees

FareShare

Lifelines International

S-REP

Turpin & Miller

Bloomers Trust

Fear Free

Maslow’s Community Shop

Safer Buckinghamshire Board (Martha

University of Westminster

Bournemouth Churches Housing

Flourish NI

Maximus

Edwards & Gemma Brooks)

Unseen

Association (BCHA)

Foundation Derbyshire

Mears Housing Association

Salvation Army

Victims Surcharge Fund

BrightWork Recruitment

Garth Doubleday Foundation

Merry-Go-Round

Scottish Council for

Virgin Media 02

Causeway

Glasgow City Mission

MicroRainbow

Voluntary Organisations

Wavenet

Central and West

Glastonbury Festivals

Murdocks Housing Provider

Scottish Government Human

Welcome House

Integration Network (CWIN)

Global Link

National Human Trafficking Unit (Police

Trafficking Team

Welsh Refugee Council

Chilypep

Govan Community Project

Scotland)

Scottish Guardianship Service

Windsor Baptist Church

Civic Power Fund

Great Yarmouth Refugee

New Citizens Gateway

Sewing2Gether

Workers’ Educational Association

Clear Voice

Outreach Support

New Neighbours Together

Shelter

YCSA

Colin McGrath

Green Bridge Community Housing

Newham Nurture Programme

Shropshire Supports Refugees

York Council

MLAConversation Corner

Guardianship Scotland

Nicola Bell (Oxfordshire Councils)

Simon Community

Young Roots

Cool FM Cash for Kids

GYROS

Northern Ireland Housing Executive

SJOG

Council Refugee Escalations Team

Happy Baby Community

Palladium

Solas Trust

Cranhill Development Trust

Healing for the Heart

Palm Cove Society

Southend Action Centre

Crisis Counselling

Helen Bamber Foundation

Patient and Client Council

Squared Housing Association

Crookston Community Group

Hestia

Perkbox

St Mungo’s

Department of Justice NI

Hope For Justice

Police Scotland

Storehouse

Doctors of the World

Hubbub

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Street Soccer

Dover District Council

Irish Football Association

RAMA

Survivors of Human Trafficking 99

People seeking sanctuary in the UK need your help The summer of 2024 brought an unprecedented

wave of hatred towards the people that Migrant Help works with.

The riots, fuelled by misinformation and racist rhetoric, had a profound effect on our clients as well as our colleagues, many of whom have sought sanctuary in the UK in the past.

In Rotherham, a hotel hosting people seeking asylum was attacked and set alight while our clients were inside. They were left alone in the hotel for four hours while the fire alarms rang constantly and rioters

rampaged through the building.

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A Volunteer

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A group of about 100 people were relocated to Birmingham where they arrived in the middle of the night

without any of their possessions, including vital medication.

Migrant Help staff and volunteers from other charities did

their best to help.

Charities set up support for the clients, including

befriending, and worked hard to ensure that medical needs are addressed as a priority.

However, two weeks after the attack, many of our clients still hadn’t received the possessions they were forced to leave at the Rotherham hotel.

Thanks to kind donations, we were able to use £1,000 to buy new clothes for people who were left with nothing.

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Throughout these dark times, we were encouraged and heartened by the kindness and

support of our communities.

Can you help us ensure that when a crisis hits, we can offer immediate support and ensure that no one is left without essential support?

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This report reflects the collective impact of a year filled with resilience, collaboration, and compassion.

From frontline support to policy change, none of it would be possible without the dedication of our

staff and volunteers, and support from our partners and donors.

As we look ahead, the need remains urgent.

People seeking safety and dignity continue to face complex challenges, and Migrant Help is

committed to support them every step of the way.

If you’ve been moved by the stories and outcomes in this report pllease make a donation via our website today and help us continue this life-changing work.

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The impact of rebuilding stolen lives 2024-25

Registered Charity (England and Wales): 1088631 Registered Charity (Scotland): SC041022 Company No (England and Wales): 4172880 Copyright © 2020 Migrant Help. All rights reserved.

The illustrations used throughout this report have been produced by a collective of diverse, multi-media illustrators inspired by the genuine stories and experiences of our clients and employees.

The names in some of our stories have been changed to respect privacy and safety.

The impact of rebuilding stolen lives 2024-25

www.migranthelpuk.org

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info@migranthelpuk.org

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01304 203 977

Registered address: Migrant Help, 128 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX