Youth Welfare Project
Our Youth Welfare Project supports the wellbeing and practical needs of young refugees aged 18-25 years old, including those who are age-disputed, living in asylum hotels. The project first launched as a pilot in Wembley in April 2021 and, following its success and learnings, was replicated in late 2022 in Croydon and King’s Cross. The Youth Welfare Project is supported by Migrant Help, and overseen by a partnership of five expert charities: Refugee Council, Refugee Rights Europe, Migrant Help, Helen Bamber Foundation and Young Roots.
The young people we work with through this project are often newly-arrived young people, or may have been living in asylum hotels for extended periods awaiting outcomes on their asylum claims. Many have no understanding of their rights, or how to access support and information. Very many young people feel intensely isolated within the hotel environment, having a critical impact on their mental health and wellbeing.
“In the hotel I am alone, I can't do anything, but here I can find friends to speak to, it's like a family.”
How does Young Roots support young refugees through the project?
Working collaboratively with partners and asylum hotel managers, our Youth Welfare teams reach out to young asylum seekers , supporting them during their time in hotels, through to dispersal, enabling them to cope and adapt as they navigate the complex and challenging UK asylum system. Increasing numbers of those we support are children who have been age-disputed and given an adult age – adding to the complexity and safeguarding concerns. Through 1:1 Casework, weekly youth activities and English language learning, as well as a programme of trips, we take a holistic approach to resolving pressing and complex needs, while facilitating the development of young people’s social networks and integration. We support young people to understand their rights, provide access to specialist legal and therapeutic support, and engage young people in our core activities as well as those in the local community.
Our Youth Welfare Officers and Caseworkers are stable points of contact for young people, supporting them to cope, adapt and develop trusted relationships. Our Youth Welfare teams employ an asset-based, trauma-informed and youth participatory approach to ensure young people are actively engaged in decisions affecting their lives.
We have developed three weekly youth groups as an entry point for young people living in asylum hotels. In Wembley, this is our established ‘Ahlan’ club, in Croydon we have our ‘Merhaba’ club, and in King’s Cross, ‘Salaam’. We are pleased to be working with partners to provide access to a range of workshops, English language and therapeutic support at the clubs.
Photos from our summer trip, farm residential, and Ahlan youth club
“I am feeling positive today. I am enjoying those activities and I am feeling like at home. I will come every week because I wanted to practice my English and develop my hobbies. Thank you for inviting me and welcoming me.”
- Young person attending our Ahlan youth club in Wembley
