Our latest Insight Hub Bulletin explores what is working across the refugee, asylum and migration sector, highlighting how organisations and communities are building resilience, strengthening relationships and finding practical ways to respond. While pressures around immigration policy, public attitudes and funding continue to grow, the findings also reveal important examples of partnership, solidarity and community action.
A challenging environment for the sector
94% of respondents said immigration and asylum policy and public attitudes had worsened over the past year. 74% reported a worsening funding environment, while 69% said housing and accommodation had worsened.
“Lack of funding and time to think about anything except the person in need who is standing in front of you!”
Working together makes a difference
Partnerships remain one of the sector’s greatest strengths. 60% of respondents said partnership working had improved over the past year. Organisations described how trusted relationships enable them to share knowledge, make referrals and support one another.
“We are part of a number of alliances/focus groups/task projects and we work together, communicate better and know that we can refer and get advice from others.”
Community solidarity creates positive change
Local communities, volunteers and community leaders are playing an important role in building relationships and responding to hostility. 60% of respondents had seen local communities, organisations or leaders take action to strengthen cohesion or reduce misinformation and hostility.
“When the far-right threatened the centre last year, the community came out to support and protect the centre.”
Another organisation described how positive participation by refugees and people seeking asylum had helped build understanding:
“People responding positively to events where refugees and asylum seekers take part and make a real contribution has helped grow our sphere of influence.”
Positive stories help change perceptions
Organisations are finding creative ways to challenge negative narratives and create opportunities for people to contribute. Sharing individual stories, community activities, arts and culture were among the examples highlighted.
“What has worked especially well for us is sharing positive individual stories to reframe the narrative on our client group.”
Relationships and committed people build resilience
Staff, volunteers and people with lived experience are central to the work of organisations. Respondents highlighted staff wellbeing, training and stronger partnerships as areas where their organisations had made progress. However, the pressures are significant, with funding and limited capacity making it difficult to sustain this work.
“We have a good relationship with the local police community liaison team who respond quickly if we inform them of any concerns.”
A connected sector, with more to build together
80% of respondents described organisations in their local area as fairly or very well connected. These networks are a valuable resource, but maintaining them takes time and capacity.
“We would love to convene or bring together organisations sharing the same values, but we are fully stretched delivering our services to increasing numbers of people over a much wider area.”
What can we learn from what is working?
The findings show that much of what helps organisations respond is rooted in relationships: working together, sharing knowledge and resources, involving people with lived experience and creating opportunities for communities to connect. These strengths are important to recognise, support and sustain.
Read the full Bulletin 31 to explore the findings and examples in more detail.
