Can you tell us a little about yourself? 

I have been living in Brighton for five years. It has not always been easy, but I worked hard to learn English and adapt to the challenges of moving to a new country. Now my English is at a good level, and I feel confident doing my daily activities. During this journey, Voices in Exile helped me a lot. They gave me support and confidence to keep moving forward and deal with difficult situations in my new life.

What made you join Voices in Exile as a volunteer? 

After all the support I received from Voices in Exile, I felt very grateful. I hoped that one day I could also help people who are in the same situation that I was in. I wanted to share some happiness and support with others. Voices in Exile gave me that opportunity, and I am very happy to be part of the team and help other people.

“After all the support I received from Voices in Exile, I felt very grateful. I hoped that one day I could also help people who are in the same situation that I was in.”

What does a typical afternoon in your role at Voices look like? 

I volunteer in the office and work with one of the staff members. We do different tasks to support refugees and migrants. We help them settle into their new environment and become more familiar with life in Brighton. I always try to use my skills to support them and help make their new situation feel a little easier.

What aspects of your role are particularly rewarding or challenging? 

I really enjoy calling people and carrying out surveys. I also enjoy printing, copying, and laminating English learning materials for them. It makes me happy to know that, even in a small way, I can make a positive difference in the community and help other people.

Do you enjoy other activities in Brighton? 

Yes. One of my favourite things to do is walk along the seafront and enjoy visiting Brighton’s cafés. I really like the friendly atmosphere and spending time by the sea.

The post Meet Maryam: Volunteering to help others feel at home appeared first on Voices In Exile.

Voices in Exile supported Joy with specialist immigration advice and practical advocacy. We worked with her social worker to understand her circumstances and arranged a home visit to make our service accessible. We prepared a fee waiver application, gathered detailed supporting evidence from the client and her family, and submitted a further application for leave to remain as the parent of British children, including a request for the Home Office to consider granting indefinite leave on a discretionary basis. 

When Joy’s bank account was closed because of her immigration status, Voices in Exile made representations to the Home Office, helping her regain access to banking. We also made reasonable adjustments such as arranging for the Home Office mobile biometrics team to visit her at home, provided emergency support through hardship funds and referred her for community care advice.  

Joy was granted a fee waiver in February 2026 and was able to submit a parent application without paying the proscribed fee and Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (around £4000 in total). Joy was able to submit a new immigration application, regain access to her bank account and meet her basic needs while awaiting a social services reassessment. With her case now moving forward, Joy hopes to secure her status and focus on rebuilding stability for herself and her children. 

At Voices in Exile, we continue to support around 750 refugees and vulnerable migrants through advice & casework each year. Together, we can help create communities where everyone feels safe, welcome and included. 

The post Joy’s story: Rebuilding stability after losing access to support  appeared first on Voices In Exile.

Seventy-five years later, that promise still matters.

What is the Refugee Convention?

The 1951 Refugee Convention, together with its 1967 Protocol, is the main international agreement protecting refugees. It explains who can be recognised as a refugee, sets out their rights and describes the responsibilities of countries that have signed it.

At its heart is a simple but vital rule: nobody should be sent back to a country where their life or freedom would be in danger. This is sometimes called the principle of “non-refoulement”. The Convention also sets out basic standards for how refugees should be treated, including access to housing, education and work. It is more than a legal document. It is a practical, lifesaving tool that has helped protect millions of people.

A shared responsibility

The Convention recognises that no country can respond to people being forced from their homes alone. Countries need to work together, share responsibility and support the communities welcoming refugees. Fair asylum systems, safe routes and international cooperation all have an important part to play. The UK was one of the original countries to sign the Convention and helped to shape it. This is an important part of our history, but it is also an ongoing responsibility.

Why is it still important today?

The need for refugee protection has not gone away. At the end of 2025, an estimated 117.8 million people around the world had been forced to leave their homes. This included 41.6 million refugees and other people in need of international protection, as well as almost nine million people waiting for a decision on their asylum claim.

Behind every number is a person, a family and a story. People do not choose to become refugees. They leave because staying at home is no longer safe.

The Convention gives countries a clear framework for deciding who needs protection and making sure that people are not returned to danger. It also helps asylum systems work in a more organised, fair and predictable way. Protecting refugees and managing borders are not competing goals. Both can be achieved through fair decisions, effective systems and cooperation between countries.

The Convention needs to be respected

Some people argue that the Refugee Convention is out of date or should be rewritten. UNHCR’s message is clear: the Convention remains flexible, relevant and essential.

The problems facing asylum systems today are not caused by the Convention. The focus should be on putting it into practice properly, through fair and timely decisions, safe routes, support for countries hosting large numbers of refugees and better opportunities for people to rebuild their lives. As UNHCR puts it, the Convention does not need rewriting. It needs respecting.

Facts and empathy matter

Public discussion about refugees and migration is often shaped by misinformation, fear and hostile language. We believe this must change.

People seeking safety should be spoken about with dignity, respect and humanity. We need honest conversations based on facts and practical solutions, rather than language that divides communities or blames people who have already been forced to leave their homes. Refugee protection is not a threat to stability. It helps create safety, fairness and order.

Our commitment at Voices in Exile

At Voices in Exile, we see every day why the Refugee Convention matters. We support refugees, people seeking asylum and migrants at risk who are navigating complex legal systems, insecure housing, destitution and long periods of uncertainty. We help people understand and exercise their rights, access legal and practical support, and begin rebuilding their lives with dignity.

Our work is grounded in justice, solidarity and the belief that everyone deserves safety and fair treatment. We will continue to challenge policies and practices that weaken refugee protection, and to stand alongside people who have been forced to flee.

The Refugee Convention is not only a framework for protecting other people but a safeguard for all of us, because any one of us could one day need the protection it offers.

Read more about the Refugee Convention and access UNHCR’s anniversary resources.

The post The Refugee Convention at 75: a promise we must continue to uphold appeared first on Voices In Exile.

Staff, volunteers, clients and neighbours of Voices in Exile were all invited to create artwork exploring a simple question:

What does courage mean to you?

The result is a vibrant collection of artwork that celebrates the creativity, resilience and hopes of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in our community. Throughout Refugee Week, the exhibition was displayed at Brighton’s Jubilee Library, with the artwork also brought together in a limited edition zine to raise funds for the work of Voices in Exile.

Creating together

The project was led by ceramic artist Jane King, who has been volunteering with our groups programme over the past year.

Jane, who exhibits her abstract ceramic sculptures across the UK and Europe, also teaches ceramics to adult learners. Alongside her own artistic practice, she has brought creativity into our weekly groups, using drawing, collage and colourful origami papers to encourage participants to experiment, share ideas and enjoy making together.

Working alongside our Group Facilitator, Hayat, Jane developed a series of creative workshops exploring this year’s Refugee Week theme.

Rather than asking people to define courage, the sessions encouraged participants to think about something deeply personal: the courage to imagine a different future.

The courage to dream

At Voices, our groups programme is an important part of the holistic support we provide. Alongside English language learning, digital skills, city orientation and practical advice, the groups create opportunities for people to build confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging.

For this project, those conversations became something visual.

Together, participants explored the idea of “the courage to dream” – recognising that dreaming of a better future often requires extraordinary bravery, particularly after experiences of displacement, uncertainty or loss.

People shared their hopes for themselves and their families, including:

• I dream of being a famous Arabic teacher in England.
• My dream is to pass my exams.
• I dream my children will learn and have a good education.
• I dream of being independent.
• My dream is to write and speak good English.
• My dream is to learn English and pass my driving test so I can work.

Each dream was carefully written onto hand-crafted paper forms before being arranged together into one collective artwork.

The finished piece became a flourishing “Courage to Dream” garden of butterflies, birds, flowers and climbing vines – symbols of hope, resilience, adaptation and new beginnings.

Like the people who created it, every element is unique. Together, they form something far greater than the individual pieces alone.

More than an art project

The workshops were about more than creating artwork. They created space for conversation, creativity and connection. They offered people the opportunity to express themselves in ways that didn’t rely on perfect English, while sharing stories, laughter and aspirations with one another.

Projects like this reflect what our groups are all about: creating welcoming spaces where people can build confidence, learn new skills, make friends and feel part of a community.

We’re incredibly grateful to Jane for sharing her time, creativity and generosity with our groups, and to everyone who contributed their artwork, ideas and dreams.

Together, they’ve created something that reminds us that courage isn’t always loud or dramatic.

Sometimes courage is simply allowing yourself to imagine a brighter future, and taking the first step towards it.

The post Courage to dream: creating art together for Refugee Week 2026 appeared first on Voices In Exile.

I first started volunteering with Voices in Exile after supporting migrants in a similar role with the British Red Cross. I wanted to continue doing something practical to support people navigating the UK immigration system.  

I am deeply concerned about the increasingly hostile environment around migration in the UK. As someone who came to the UK at 19 to study at university and then built my life here, I am very aware of my own privilege as a European migrant when it comes to freedom of movement. That awareness makes me feel strongly about standing in solidarity with people who are penalised by an inhumane immigration system simply because they were born elsewhere.  

Volunteering with the Generalist team gave me a real insight into the challenges people face. Clients are often dealing with several issues at once, including housing, benefits, healthcare, food insecurity and immigration problems, so you quickly see how complex these situations can be.  

It also taught me a lot about compassion and professionalism. Many people have experienced trauma before arriving in the UK and are then retraumatised by the systems they encounter here. You learn that you cannot fix everything, but you can focus on what support is available and help people understand their options.  

Today I work as a caseworker in the Resettlement team. It is incredibly rewarding to support families from the moment they arrive in Brighton and help them settle into a new environment. Over time you see their confidence grow as they learn English, navigate services and begin to build a life here.

The post Meet Betty: from volunteer to supporting families as a caseworker appeared first on Voices In Exile.

“I first came to the UK three and a half years ago from India. It feels like only six months, the time has gone by so quickly. 

My situation in my home country became unsafe and I was forced to leave and come to the UK. I was living in London at first, but I felt very isolated. I wanted to move somewhere where I could breathe, so I came to Brighton where I had a few friends who helped me find my feet. 

When I was looking for help, someone recommended Voices in Exile. Meeting them changed my life. At that time, I was preparing to become homeless because I could not work while waiting for a decision from the Home Office. 

Voices helped me to find a safe place to stay through local hosting arrangements. I have now stayed with three different households, and each experience has been very positive. 

While I wait for a decision, I am studying hairdressing and welding at Brighton MET college through a scheme for people in my situation. Voices gave me the confidence to keep going, get involved in activities and stay hopeful about the future.”

The post Meet Godwin: Finding hope and support in Brighton appeared first on Voices In Exile.

Over the past year, we supported more than 1,000 refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants at risk across Brighton and Sussex through specialist immigration advice, homelessness prevention, food provision, ESOL classes, employability support, wellbeing groups, and wraparound resettlement services. 

At a time when refugees and migrants continue to face increasingly hostile policies, rising homelessness, and barriers to safety and stability, this report reflects both the growing need within our communities and the importance of compassionate, community-led support. 

A year of impact 

In 2025, Voices in Exiles: 

• Supported 1,009 clients across our services 

• Provided immigration advice and support to 364 people 

• Supported 770 clients through our generalist advice and casework service 

• Delivered 70 outreach sessions in asylum hotels and homelessness settings 

• Supported around 45 people each term through our weekly wellbeing, ESOL, and orientation groups 

• Provided practical support to around 115 households through our food bank 

• Distributed over £50,000 in hardship funding to people facing crisis situations 

Alongside these figures are the personal stories that sit at the heart of our work. Throughout the report, service users, volunteers, and staff share their experiences of rebuilding their lives, finding community, and supporting others in turn. 

One service user reflected: 

“Voices in Exile helped us build the confidence to start a new life here.” 

Another shared: 

“The most important thing for me was simple. Someone cared about me. I felt it.” 

Supporting people beyond crisis 

As well as meeting urgent needs, the report highlights our growing focus on long-term wellbeing, inclusion, and systems change. 

This year, we strengthened our campaigning and influencing work locally and nationally, advocating for: 

• The right to work for people seeking asylum 

• Safe and legal routes 

• Improved housing and move-on support 

• Better mental health provision 

• A more compassionate and fair asylum system 

We also launched new initiatives focused on lived experience leadership, participation, anti-racism, and community engagement, ensuring the voices of the people we support continue to shape our work and future direction. 

The people behind the work 

The impact highlighted in this report is made possible through the commitment and expertise of our staff team, alongside the contribution of volunteers, partners, funders, and supporters across Sussex and beyond. 

This year alone, around 50 volunteers contributed more than 5,500 hours of support across our food bank, ESOL classes, casework teams, administration, communications, and resettlement services — complementing the day-to-day work of staff delivering specialist advice, advocacy, outreach, and frontline support. 

We are deeply grateful to everyone who makes this work possible and who continues to stand alongside refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in our community. 

Read the full report 

Our 2025 Impact Report shares more about the realities facing refugees and migrants today, the impact of our services, and the stories of the people who make Voices in Exile what it is. 

Read the full report here: Impact Report 2025

The post Stories, impact and community: Launching our 2025 Impact Report appeared first on Voices In Exile.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am a retired Social Worker Team Manager and have been working voluntarily with refugees for the last ten years, working in camps and organisations in Greece and in Calais. Now I work with Voices and with British Red Cross in supporting asylum seekers and refugees.

What made you join Voices in Exile as a volunteer?

I moved to Brighton in 2023 and wanted to continue working with refugees here, as I rotate between London and Brighton. I work with refugees because of their vulnerability and their great potential, that demands reviving after their challenging journeys.

What does a session in your role at Voices look like?

At the morning ViE Group sessions, the people may have workshops on relaxation, and English through games and conversation, but there may also be an information session on anything from welfare benefits to using a camera. In the warmer months, we may go out to local parks for the sessions or to community allotments or farms nearby to relax and enjoy being outside. We try to encourage the members to speak as much English as they can.

The volunteer role is to participate, but also to remain aware of any concerns or questions raised or indicated by people during the session. This can be very simple, such as leading someone through an application for an educational or training course, to advising on more complex issues, such as housing, if we have the knowledge. Longer and complex questions, however, may need to be passed on to case workers.

The volunteer also supports the ‘leader’ of the Group in preparing the session and in clearing up, as well as being another pair of eyes in seeing any needs during the session.

I also work as a volunteer case worker in the afternoon. This usually involves making calls to people the full-time case workers have enquiries from or need follow-up with. This, again, can be simple to complex. I may also see individuals in face-to-face appointments at the office.

The post Meet Garry: Supporting refugees through two essential volunteer roles appeared first on Voices In Exile.

Over time, she disclosed to our team that she was experiencing domestic abuse. She described controlling and coercive behaviours, isolation from friends, and psychological abuse. Our staff listened, ensured she was safe, and carefully explained her rights and the support available. Although she initially disengaged due to fear and the complexities of her situation, she returned to us when she felt ready – demonstrating the trust built with our staff.

How we supported her

When she reached out again more recently, this time disclosing escalating violence, our team acted immediately. We provided:

Specialist safeguarding and crisis support

Our generalist advice team met with her the same day, put safety measures in place, and coordinated an appropriate referral to children’s services.

Immigration advice

We arranged urgent support from our immigration specialist to help her understand her rights and options. This included applying under the Migrant Victim of Domestic Violence Concession, which was granted within 10 days, giving her access to housing and financial support.

Emergency hardship support

Because she left her home with very few belongings, we provided emergency grants to ensure she and her child had food, clothing, and essential items.

Housing and benefits advice

We worked closely with children’s services to secure temporary accommodation and have continued advocating for a safe and suitable placement closer to her support network.

Community, emotional and practical support

Through our orientation groups and ongoing casework, we offered a space where she felt heard, understood, and empowered to make decisions for herself and her child.

The impact

Thanks to her courage, and the holistic support provided by Voices, she was able to leave an abusive environment, secure financial stability, and begin rebuilding her life in safety. Although she had stepped away from support early on, she returned to us when she was ready. That trust illustrates the lasting impact of our person-centred approach.

She now has secure immigration status, access to benefits, and ongoing advocacy for safe, long-term housing. We continue to provide support to her as she builds a new future for herself and her child.

Looking ahead

The next stage is to provide tailored support in finding employment through our ESOL & Employability caseworker, who will work with her to assess her skills, improve her English language confidence, and identify appropriate training or job opportunities that can help her move towards long-term independence.

Why stories like this matter

Support from our funders and stakeholders allows us to provide specialist immigration advice, housing and benefits casework, emergency hardship grants, safeguarding and crisis intervention, domestic abuse referrals, employment and community based practical support.

The post Rebuilding safety and stability: How we supported our client appeared first on Voices In Exile.

What attracted you to join Voices as a trustee?

I’ve been a volunteer with Voices in Exile since the summer of 2024 as an assistant on the ESOL classes. I really enjoy the experience but have also been struck by the extraordinary commitment, skill and talent of the team at Voices, so when the opportunity arose to become involved as a trustee, I was keen to explore how I could help more.

What experience or skills do you bring that are particularly relevant to Voices in Exile?

Before my retirement in 2024, I was a director of communications in the University sector, leading large communications and engagement teams at a time of change and challenge for higher education. So I have a lot of experience of delivering communications that help enhance reputation, highlight impact, engage people, protect organisations, and convey an engaging and compelling narrative. Having worked at Executive Board level at my last two universities, I also understand some of the pressures and challenges that organisations face and I wanted to bring some of this understanding to my work as a trustee.

What inspired you to join the board?

I worked in the field of migration and refugees at my last two universities. At De Montfort University Leicester, I was involved in work we did with the United Nations to deliver annual conferences on migration in New York, work which culminated in the university being appointed a Global Hub for SDG 16 for peace, justice and strong institutions.

At the University of Kent, I led our successful application to become a University of Sanctuary bringing together and enhancing the work of the university to support refugees through scholarships, outreach, research, fundraising, volunteering and much more. I wanted to continue this work in my retirement as part of the personal legacy of all this work and because these are causes I feel passionately about.

Are there any specific areas where you hope to add value?

I hope I can add value in these areas – communications, building a compelling and engaging narrative around the extraordinary work that Voices does, and around partnership building, and advocacy.

Why do you think our work is important right now?

The political climate is so challenging for the work of Voices and other organisations in this space right now, that the work becomes even more vital. There are so many reasons why we should do everything we can to ensure that refugees are able to play a full part in our national life – moral, legal, economic and cultural – but we also need to ensure that our country is a tolerant, inclusive and welcoming one for our own sakes and for those who come after us and not let ourselves and our true values become threatened and dominated by division and intolerance. Voices and other organisations in this space remind us vividly of our common humanity and of who we truly are.

Outside of your trustee role, what do you enjoy doing?

I enjoy music, theatre, cinema and reading. I sing in a choir and I’ve started learning tango. I keep fit by running, going to the gym and walking my gorgeous 10-year-old cockapoo called Betty.

The post Introducing Philip: A passionate new voice on our Board appeared first on Voices In Exile.