RefugeeUK: Supporting the wellbeing of refugees and asylum seekers through the pandemic

The ‘hostile environment’ created by UK migration policy has put increased pressure on voluntary sector organisations to provide integration and employment support to refugees and asylum seekers. RefugeeUK provides essential support to these groups in a small UK city. Owing to the isolation and disconnection of these groups generally from the wider community, it was essential that the organisation continue to provide services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This meant shifting delivery of wellbeing activities to in-person checks and when possible, to socially distanced spaces. The organisation was able to exploit its small size to quickly pivot its service delivery and it drew on a wide network of relationships to help extend the reach of its services to more groups during this crisis.