From Signposting to Support: Be Lifted Now’s Developing Role in Windrush and Immigration Advice
Be Lifted Now is a community-based organization in Barnet, North West London supporting clients with welfare, debt and housing issues. It is one of the few organizations also offering advice on the Windrush Compensation Scheme and helping clients to navigate the process.
Since joining the Migrant Justice Greater London (MJGL) Programme in December 2025, Be Lifted Now has strengthened its organizational capacity. It is building a foundation for providing regulated immigration advice and is already developing a more proactive approach to identifying immigration issues and supporting clients in a holistic way.
Windrush and immigration issues
For Be Lifted Now, one of the most important developments has been recognizing how immigration status can sit underneath a myriad of other issues.
Fanta, a trainee immigration advisor explained, “when our clients come in with one issue they have lots of others which are all intertwined.”
This has encouraged staff to look beyond the presenting problem and consider whether immigration status is contributing to a client’s circumstances.
This approach is particularly relevant to Be Lifted Now’s Windrush related work. The Windrush scandal in 2018 led to many people from the Caribbean who had legally settled in the UK being wrongly treated as illegal immigrants. The clients that Be Lifted Now assists have close family connections to the Windrush generation and have lived in the UK for many years but are often facing difficulties proving their status or understanding their rights. The lack of immigration status can consequently affect their ability to work, travel or access essential resources. Be Lifted Now’s advice service has meant that it can identify these issues at an early stage and help clients understand where they can obtain appropriate support.
The role of Asylum Aid supervision
A central element of Be Lifted Now’s development has been the supervision provided by Asylum Aid through the MJGL programme. Through regular one-to-one sessions with Asylum Aid, staff have been able to discuss cases, identify immigration issues and consider appropriate next steps.
The opportunity for trainee immigration advisors to shadow appointments has contributed to building practical knowledge and confidence. Be Lifted Now described this support as “transformative.”
The close supervision relationship has also supported the development of a Windrush Compensation Scheme Toolkit. Asylum Aid together with Be Lifted Now are collaborating to create a step-by-step guide that can help clients understand the Windrush Compensation Scheme, including what application they may need to make and what steps they should take to gather the relevant evidence. This is an important development since accessible information can help clients navigate the complex process.
A life-changing Windrush case
One Windrush-connected case demonstrates the potential impact of this developing model. In 2025, a client whose parents had arrived in the UK as members of the Windrush generation was unable to travel due to their immigration status.
Be Lifted Now provided advice and information about the compensation process, while the immigration aspects of the case were referred to regulated advisers. With Be Lifted Now’s assistance the client ultimately received £9,000 through primary and secondary compensation claims. Be Lifted Now described the outcome for the client as having a “life changing impact.”
Once fully accredited Be Lifted Now will be able to offer advice on both the immigration and compensation aspects of Windrush cases.
Their increased awareness and understanding of immigration issues connecting to the Windrush scandal has allowed them to identify which referrals need to be made and has improved the quality of referrals. The in-house advice capacity in the future will make advice more accessible to clients and increase their ability to handle cases holistically, from their trusted position within the community.
Building capacity for the future
The MJGL programme has also supported Be Lifted Now’s organizational development through training, case-management support and opportunities to learn from other community organizations.
Staff highlighted the value of the free training and one-to-one support offered. Fanta noted the “group meeting at Praxis with other organizations was good because it was helpful to hear the journey of other organizations and learn from organizations undertaking similar Windrush work.”
Be Lifted Now currently has one advisor registered at Level 1 Immigration and Asylum and Protection. Going forward it will be plugging a large gap as the demand for immigration advice continues to grow among Windrush communities.
Ultimately, Fanta explained that Be Lifted Now’s vision is to offer “sustainable advice, without unnecessary barriers.”
With the support of the MJGL Programme, Be Lifted Now is moving towards that goal - developing from an organization that once signposted immigration cases to one that can identify and directly advise on the complex links between immigration status and Windrush-related injustice.
For more information on Be Lifted Now please visit: Women’s Charity in London - Women’sSupport Services Across the UK | BeLifted