Helping Refugees: Who? Why? How? — A Day of Insight, Story, and Solidarity
April 23, 2025
On Wednesday 23rd April, Brighton and Hove Faith in Action (BHFA) hosted a powerful training and equipping event at Community Base, as part of our ongoing Commitment to Welcome project. This initiative supports local faith congregations in working towards their City of Sanctuary awards, by deepening understanding and action around refugee welcome and inclusion.
A Training Ground for Compassionate Action
The event, titled Helping Refugees: Who? Why? How?, was delivered in partnership with Refugee Radio, a respected local organisation known for amplifying refugee voices and offering grounded, expert support.
Over four hours, delegates explored:
- The legal and political context of asylum in the UK
- The real stories behind the headlines
- What faith groups can practically do to help
- Refugee Radio drew on both research and frontline experience, offering not only facts and statistics, but also the human realities often lost in media narratives.
Stories with Impact
At the heart of the day were testimonies from individuals with lived experience of the UK asylum system. These deeply personal accounts brought home the emotional toll of indefinite waiting, the injustice of detention, and the resilience of those navigating life in an often-hostile environment.
One speaker recounted being moved “across six different cities in nine months” with no clarity or support. Another described the trauma of surviving trafficking and then facing disbelief from officials.
These were not stories of victimhood, but of perseverance, identity, and the urgent need for compassion in policy and practice.
Shocking Stats, Clear Calls
Participants were shocked to learn:
- Asylum seekers are not allowed to work while waiting for their claim to be processed — a process that can take years.
- Detention in the UK is indefinite — unlike most European countries — and can happen without trial.
- The allowance for asylum seekers is just £6.43 a day to cover food, clothing, and essentials.
- As one attendee said, “You can’t unhear these facts. You just want to do something.”
Faith in Action
The event featured discussion of practical steps tailored for faith communities. These included:
- Setting up a welcome group for newly arrived individuals
- Partnering with local support organisations
- Creating ‘Sanctuary Spaces’ in places of worship
- Challenging myths and misinformation within congregations
- Participants left with not just a fuller understanding, but a renewed commitment.
As one delegate put it, “We know more now. We must act more too.”
Next Steps
BHFA will continue supporting faith groups on their journey toward City of Sanctuary recognition. Resources and follow-up opportunities from the day are available upon request.
If you’d like to get involved in future training or receive the latest resources, please get in touch with us or follow us on social media.
Together, we can make Brighton & Hove a true city of welcome.
