On a cold morning in the heart of London, recently arrived refugees and more established migrants gather in a community centre. Their mission? To decide how £500,000 in funding will be used to support people like them.
The initiative is part of the Borough of Sanctuary grants programme, which takes the government’s commitment to devolution a step further, using it to empower migrants and refugees.
Islington in north London is one of the boroughs that has been recognised for its work welcoming people seeking refuge, people with experience of seeking asylum and those migrating, and is a participant in the scheme.
The council recruited 18 people living in the borough originally from countries including Afghanistan, Ukraine, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Iran and Sri Lanka to decide how the funds should be allocated.
The panellists range from those who arrived just a year ago to others who have called Britain home for decades. It is evenly split between men and women, with four members under 24 and one over 65.
Having faced the challenges of navigating a new country, language barriers and the complexities of the asylum process, their insights are shaping how the grants are distributed to ensure the funding reaches those who need it most.
Yuuli, a Ukrainian refugee and mother of two, said she applied to be a panellist to share her experience with others facing similar struggles. “I didn’t know where to get support or answers for my questions; about my children, how to open a bank account, how to register with a GP. It was very stressful. Now I want to help people who are struggling like I did.”
Sayeed, an Afghan refugee and father of two, faced similar challenges. “When I first arrived, I had thousands of problems. Every day, I called friends who came earlier to ask: ‘What should I do? How do I apply for universal credit? How do I pay the electricity bill?’ In my country, they bring the bills to your house and you pay in cash. Here, it’s completely different and so confusing.”
The panellists received comprehensive training to help them shape how the £500,000 fund is spent. This included sessions on the grant-making process, communication skills and unconscious bias, as well as guidance on evaluating applications and setting funding criteria.
The panel identified priorities for the grants, including immigration advice, language support, access to healthcare and housing assistance. They also emphasised the importance of joyful activities and cultural integration.
“It’s not just about bank accounts, jobs, or schools. You need to fill yourself with positive emotions too. Finding joy and new interests is important for everyone,” Yuuli said.
At a time when openness to refugees and migrants is often considered politically toxic, Islington council said it wants those people seeking asylum to feel not only welcome but also empowered to shape their local community.
“We’ve got 250,000 residents in Islington. How many know we’re a borough of sanctuary? Probably not that many. I want all 5,000 people who work for Islington council to know we’re a borough of sanctuary,” said Sheila Chapman, an Islington councillor who leads on equalities, communities and inclusion.
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Islington is home to 800 people seeking asylum housed in two Home Office-managed hotels, with 121 new arrivals in the past two months. The borough has resettled 120 households (500 people) from Afghanistan and other countries through private, housing association, GLA and local authority housing fund properties. Since the war in Ukraine began, 607 Ukrainian people have been welcomed, with 84 still housed in 65 “Homes for Ukraine” arrangements.
Chapman added that welcoming people is not just morally right but also beneficial. “People who have fled war-torn places or persecution are the ones with the bravery, courage and ingenuity to get from there to here. They are the people you want.”
For the panellists, the programme has provided a sense of purpose and belonging. “I like meeting people from different backgrounds, sharing experiences, emotions and problems,” Yuuli said.
“For all of us refugees, the problems are not the same, but they are similar. We are here to help people who are struggling, especially those with children.”.
Sayeed, too, has found community among the panellists. “When I was a kid, I dreamed of speaking English fluently. Now, being part of this panel has helped me communicate with others and learn from their experiences. It’s helping me build my future.”
He added: “I don’t care about money or gifts. I just want to be with people, share my experience and listen to others. This means a lot to me.”
