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“Just to know where to find help would take away some of my fear”
Celebrating Refugee Week with Integrated Migrant Pathways Project
As part of Refugee Week 2025, celebrating Community as Our Superpower, UOK is proud to spotlight the impactful culmination of the Integrated Migrant Pathways project: a comprehensive consultation report and a publicly accessible online directory designed to improve support for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in Brighton & Hove.
Over a 12-month period, the project engaged more than 50 individuals with lived experience of migration and numerous professionals through the RAM (Refugee and Migrant) Mental Health Forum. Consultations took place via group discussions, individual surveys, and workshops held at partner organisations including LGBT Switchboard and Conversations Over Borders. Download the full report below.
“How did you find support after arriving in the UK?”
“What do you wish had been available?”
“If this support was there, how would it change things for you?”
The result is a rich, detailed snapshot of migrant experiences and actionable insights for service development.
“Just to know what to expect or what I am entitled to or where to find help would take away some of my pain, some of the fear”
Themes from the Report
Finding Support:
Migrants participating in the consultation accessed information and support through a range of trusted channels:
Social media and online platforms helped many navigate services independently.
Word of mouth—from friends, family, and peer groups—was a key source of guidance.
Community organisations provided not just practical help but also trust, belonging, and often life-changing support, especially when staff had shared lived experience.
Faith-based groups offered safe, welcoming spaces for emotional and practical support.
Health services and helplines were accessed for general wellbeing and mental health guidance.
LGBTQ+ migrants often turned to specialist services due to exclusion from mainstream offerings, finding safer, more understanding environments.
These networks played a vital role in helping migrants overcome cultural and language barriers and build a sense of belonging in their new communities.
Legal and Employment Barriers: Many expressed confusion about immigration processes and limited access to legal advice about their immigration status and visa applications. For those with restricted work rights, information on volunteering and employment pathways was minimal.
Mental Health and Trauma Support: Migrants called for culturally appropriate, trauma-informed services, especially those inclusive of LGBTQ+ needs. Several shared that psychosocial support groups had been life-saving. Find out more about the Mental health services UOK offers for Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers here.
“Before I found this group I struggled to find a reason to live, I have nothing, I have no one, I am very depressed. The group is a safe place”
Language and Integration: Participants emphasized the value of accessible English courses and better orientation support. “If I had someone to explain things… I would have felt less depressed and more connected,” one respondent shared.
Practical Gaps: Transport, childcare, housing advice, and clear public information emerged as core areas needing investment. Many simply wanted a central place to find help.
Community Safety and Discrimination: Experiences of racism and hate crime, particularly among LGBTQ+ migrants, highlighted the need for inclusive, safer services and better reporting pathways.
Funding Instability: A recurring theme among service providers was the need for longer-term funding and sustainable staffing to maintain and grow essential migrant services.
Why This Matters for Refugee Week
This year’s Refugee Week theme, “Community is Our Superpower,” powerfully reflects what the report revealed: that migrants often rely on each other, through community groups, peer support, and shared lived experience, when formal systems fall short.
While gaps remain in legal, mental health, and culturally appropriate services, the strength of community connection emerged as a life-saving force. By listening to migrant voices and acting on their needs, we honour not just their resilience, but the collective power of belonging, safety, and support. The report offers not only recommendations but a vision of a more inclusive, responsive city.
Let us know if you’d like to receive printed flyers and cards signposting to the directory for distribution. They are available to download and print below
