Refugee Roots welcomes all, helping those in need find friendship and a place to call home

Refugee Roots is a Christian charity that helps asylum seekers and refugees build relationships and navigate the complexities of building a new life in the UK.

Volunteer with us

We believe small things make a big difference. Your time, skills and participation in our work can make a real and positive impact in the lives of our participants. Volunteering with Refugee Roots is a place where you can belong as we create welcoming spaces for our participants together.

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Author: Adam Baker

How we help

We offer a warm welcome and hospitality, support and friendship to refugees and asylum seekers. We do this through a range of befriending and support and empowerment initiatives.

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Make a referral

Make a referral for a refugee or asylum seeker. We will respond as soon as possible. When we receive a referral we will contact or arrange to meet the person who has been referred and where possible with the referrer to ensure the best possible outcome for the person who has been referred.

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Our impact

749

individuals have been supported last year (1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023)

81%

strongly agreed that they had reduced isolation

82%

of participants reported they had developed skills to reach their potential

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Nick's Story

Nick became a befriender to Rawa. Weekly befriending meetings and showing Rawa places he can go to in the local area for free like local parks, green spaces, libraries and art galleries has been so important for Rawa’s health and wellbeing.

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Author: Adam Baker

Maples House 'Move-a-thon'

Maples House at Nottingham High School have organised a 'Move-a-thon'. They are uniting in a challenge that encompasses walking, running, cycling, rowing and swimming, to collectively cover distances that mirror the journeys undertaken by individuals seeking refuge in the UK.

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Author: Adam Baker

Target amount: £1,000.00

Amount raised: £71.40

Events

  • Refugee Roots Volunteer and Participant Christmas Celebration 2023

    Refugee Roots' Christmas Celebration for participants and volunteers will be a day filled with fun, food, and festivity. Supporters, donors and friends welcome too. Read more

  • Workshops with Nottingham Playhouse

    Refugee Roots and the Nottingham Playhouse are putting on a series of drama workshops, to play fun drama games, and explore storytelling through theatre performance. Read more

Our services

  • Art Sessions

    Being creative is a great way to relieve stress, express yourself and connect with others. Read more

  • Women's Group

    A safe space to meet with other women every Tuesday for support, friendship and empowerment Read more

  • Access

    Access is a hub of activity, a place to belong, connect, get support, and help. A wide range of activities and learning opportunities to suit all. Read more

Case studies

  • Finding a new home for Fareed

    For many, receiving a positive outcome from an asylum claim can be both a relief and a stressful experience. Our Support Worker, Fawad, helps participants like Fareed navigate this period of transition, access essential services available to them, and build a life in the UK. Read more

  • Helping Yana find a safe place

    Yana came to the UK after war broke out in Ukraine and joined us at Refugee Roots in September of 2022. Since coming to refugee roots Yana took a keen interest in our Befriending Program. Read more

  • Making friends with Miriam

    Miriam was a regular participant and volunteer at our Access project and had been for a couple of years before the funded project “a place to belong”. “I came because I heard how they help people, and that there were a lot of activities I could get involved in. I heard that Refugee Roots help encourage people and I needed that” Read more

Appeals

  • Team Otto and Will run for house charities

    I am a sixth form student running for Refugee Roots which is my school house charity. My friend Will is also undertaking this challenge, supporting his house charity. For me, Refugee Roots represents an important step towards a pressing problem: improving the lives of asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. Read more

  • Refugee Roots Lent Appeal 2023

    To support refugees in the Nottingham area as they adapt to a new life in the UK. Read more

  • Ukraine Appeal

    Support our Ukraine Appeal to be able to provide Befriending support and Assistance to refugees from Ukraine. Read more

News

  • Jaimie's Story

    Jaimie has continued her involvement with Refugee Roots as an active volunteer at our projects alongside her studies. Read more

  • Walking and Creative Writing Project with the Universities for Nottingham

    Over the summer, we welcomed a small group of researchers from the Universities for Nottingham, who were working on a project to understand the potential benefits of walking and writing together. Read more

  • Finding a new home for Fareed

    For many, receiving a positive outcome from an asylum claim can be both a relief and a stressful experience. Our Support Worker, Fawad, helps participants like Fareed navigate this period of transition, access essential services available to them, and build a life in the UK. Read more

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Our partners and funders

  • Nottingham Community Foundation

    Nottingham Community Foundation NCF was established in 1997 as Sherwood Coalfield Foundation and changed it’s name in 2001 to Nottinghamshire Community Foundation (NCF). It is a local registered charity and company limited by guarantee set up to encourage philanthropy for the benefit of the people of Nottinghamshire. Read more

  • The National Lottery Reaching Communities

    Refugee Roots awarded 3 years of funding by The National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund. Nottingham-based charity Refugee Roots has been awarded three years of funding by The National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund. Read more

  • Postcode Places Trust awards £25,000 to Refugee Roots

    We are pleased to announce that Refugee Roots has been awarded a grant of £25,000 from Postcode Places Trust, a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Read more