Help for refugees and asylum seekers

If you are a refugee or asylum seeker in the UK, we may be able to offer you practical and emotional support.

How we can help

This page is available in other languages.

The British Red Cross is the UK's largest independent provider of services and support for refugees and people seeking asylum.

We help refugees from all backgrounds and religions. We will not report you to the authorities.

If you are a refugee or asylum seeker in the UK, or if you know someone who is, our teams may be able to support you with:

  • emergency help
  • one-to-one casework
  • one-off support
  • information and signposting about where to get help.

The support we give may come from the Red Cross or we may refer you to other organisations.

Find support near you

Other sources of help for refugees

  • Migrant Help

    Get help with applying for accommodation and financial support, find dedicated caseworkers and translators.
  • Right to Remain toolkit

    Free step-by-step guide to UK asylum and immigration system to help you better understand the legal process.
  • How to claim asylum – UK Government

    Learn if you’re eligible, what type of help is available and how to claim asylum in the UK.

Other ways we can help

Family from Ukraine eating a meal inside host's home.

Family reunion

If you’re a refugee and your family members are overseas, we may offer advice on how to reunite you.

Find out how it works
A mother and her child in Aleppo Syria following earthquake in March 2023.

Tracing missing family

If you are in the UK we may be able to help you look for or keep in touch with loved ones caught up in conflict or disaster overseas.

Find family overseas
Silhouette of woman in darkened kitchen.

Sexual and gender-based violence support

Support and advice on what to do if you have experienced violence or abuse because of your gender.

Learn how we can help
Man walking down a road.

Anti-trafficking

If you are a refugee or asylum seeker who has been trafficked, we may be able to give support and advice on what to do next, and where to get more help.

Find out what we do
Young people taking part in candle making workshop.

Our young refugee strategy

Our five-year strategy for young refugees outlines our commitment to displaced children and young people.

Our young refugee strategy (PDF)

Information and support

A woman hugs a relative who has their back to the camera. In the background, a Red Cross volunteer puts a comforting hand on her shoulder

Help for Ukrainian refugees in the UK

Understand your rights and the services available to you as a Ukrainian refugee in the UK.

Help for Ukrainian refugees

Hear from refugees and asylum seekers

Two men talking while in the outdoors.

VOICES Network 

The VOICES network is a collective of refugees and people seeking asylum. Together, they speak out about issues that affect them.

Learn more about the network
Abier and her son reunite at Heathrow airport after being separated for four years.

Stories from refugees

Read about the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers in their own words.

Read the stories

Want to find out more?

Learn about our research and advocacy work and how you can help refugees.

How we support refugees