Asylum Aid
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asylumaid.bsky.social
Asylum Aid
@asylumaid.bsky.social
1.3K followers 71 following 52 posts
We provide legal advice and representation on behalf of asylum seekers and refugees. http://asylumaid.org.uk

Now part of @helenbamber.bsky.social
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asylumaid.bsky.social
Asylum Aid @asylumaid.bsky.social · May 21
🥳 We are thrilled to be shortlisted for the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards in TWO categories! 🙌

Asylum Aid is a finalist for the 'Legal Aid Firm/Not for Profit Agency' award and our wonderful solicitor Molly Nicolson is shortlisted in the 'Immigration & Asylum Law' category. 🎉
lalyawards.bsky.social Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards @lalyawards.bsky.social · May 21
.@WeAreLAPG is proud to announce 📢 the 30 finalists in this year's Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards. For an insight into the doggedness 🐶& brilliance 🌟of lawyers at the social justice coalface, look no further than our #LALY25 shortlist.......
lapg.co.uk/lapg-announc...
Reposted by Asylum Aid
helenbamber.bsky.social
"I was isolated and it was very re-traumatising..."

Our client speaks to @claudiahammond.bsky.social on BBC Radio 4's All in the Mind about his experience of being placed in an asylum hotel & the harmful impact it had on his mental health.

📻 Listen in!

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
All in the Mind - Asylum hotels and mental health - BBC Sounds
Claudia discusses the evidence for the mental health impact of living in an asylum hotel.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Reposted by Asylum Aid
freemovement.bsky.social
In case you missed it: Rule changes from 11 November to affect family members of stateless people | Djamilla Hitchins
Rule changes from 11 November to affect family members of stateless people - Free Movement
Until 10 November 2025, family members of sponsors who hold leave as a stateless person can continue to apply for family reunion under archived part 14 of the
freemovement.org.uk
November 5, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Reposted by Asylum Aid
helenbamber.bsky.social
Legal advice is vital for survivors to navigate complex asylum systems. But many are unable to access it.

Ambassadors for Change, a group of campaigners with experience of the UK asylum system, write about the barriers in getting free, quality legal advice 👇

www.helenbamber.org/resources/re...
November 5, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Reposted by Asylum Aid
freemovement.bsky.social
Latest post from us: Migrant Help to provide training to staff after admitting trafficking policy breach | Monika Glowacka
Migrant Help to provide training to staff after admitting trafficking policy breach - Free Movement
Migrant Help, one of the main subcontractors responsible for providing trafficking support to victims under the modern slavery victim care contract, has
freemovement.org.uk
October 28, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Reposted by Asylum Aid
helenbamber.bsky.social
Yesterday, a parliamentary committee report warned that housing people seeking asylum in large sites is harmful.

The response?

Today, the government announced plans to accommodate hundreds in two ex-military sites.

This is cruel & inhumane.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Hundreds of asylum seekers to be moved to two UK military sites
Barracks in Inverness and East Sussex will house about 900 men as government aims to end use of hotels
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Reposted by Asylum Aid
helenbamber.bsky.social
"It is unacceptable that significant amounts of taxpayers’ money is being used to house often vulnerable people in sub-standard accommodation."

This is YET another warning that asylum accommodation is harmful & eye-wateringly expensive. Here's what the Home Affairs Committee report found🧵
theguardian.com The Guardian @theguardian.com · 18d
Home Office squandered billions on ‘failed and chaotic’ asylum accommodation
Home Office squandered billions on ‘failed and chaotic’ asylum accommodation
Commons committee describes successive governments’ failures to manage hotel use, contracts, spending and safeguarding The Home Office has squandered billions of pounds on asylum accommodation due to long-term mismanagement of a “failed, chaotic and expensive” system, according to a report published by a powerful parliamentary committee. The Commons cross-party home affairs committee report, published on Monday, highlights the previous and current governments’ failures to manage the mix of hotels, large sites such as the Wethersfield former military base in Essex, and shared housing. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:00 PM
asylumaid.bsky.social
⏰ One week before the deadline! ⏰

Applications are open for the next cohort of Compass: The Asylum Aid Advisor Development Programme. This free programme offers 5 IAA Level 2 trainees in-depth training, shadowing opportunities, supervision & a peer support network. 👇
asylumaid.bsky.social Asylum Aid @asylumaid.bsky.social · Oct 1
Applications are now open for the next cohort of Compass: The Asylum Aid Advisor Development Programme!

This free programme offers 5 IAA Level 2 trainees in-depth training, shadowing opportunities, supervision & a peer support network.

Find out how to apply here: asylumaid.org.uk/what-we-do/c...
Compass: The Asylum Aid Advisor Development Programme | Asylum Aid
Image In England and Wales, 65% of the population lacks access to a legal aid provider for immigrat
asylumaid.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Reposted by Asylum Aid
helenbamber.bsky.social
Refugee family reunion saves lives. Last year, over half of those reunited were children fleeing dangerous situations & joining their parents.

But the suspension of family reunion until next spring & plans to tighten rules afterwards could turn temporary separation into permanent loss for many. 1/3
October 22, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Reposted by Asylum Aid
helenbamber.bsky.social
"You are not the same person after you experience torture."

Ambassadors for Change, a group of survivors of torture, trafficking & persecution, share their experiences & recommendations for better systems with the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture 👇

helenbamber.org/resources/re...
Experiences and perspectives of victims and survivors of torture - evidence from the Ambassadors for Change to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture | Helen Bamber
The Ambassadors for Change, are survivors of torture, trafficking and persecution who have come to the UK in search of safety. Each of us carries scars — physical, emotional and psychological — from t...
helenbamber.org
October 20, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Reposted by Asylum Aid
helenbamber.bsky.social
On #AntiSlaveryDay, let's remember that thousands of confirmed trafficking victims are still being left at risk.

In 2024, only 4% were granted permission to stay in the UK, leaving 96% facing poverty & possible re-exploitation.

Read our latest blog for more ⬇️
www.helenbamber.org/resources/la...
October 18, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Reposted by Asylum Aid
helenbamber.bsky.social
REMINDER: Asylum hotels are NOT places of luxury. They are often dilapidated, squalid & overcrowded. Being forced to live there for months (even years) causes profound harm to people.

Those seeking safety in the UK must be housed in communities where they can rebuild their lives with dignity. 👇📽️
October 14, 2025 at 11:27 AM
asylumaid.bsky.social
Applications are now open for the next cohort of Compass: The Asylum Aid Advisor Development Programme!

This free programme offers 5 IAA Level 2 trainees in-depth training, shadowing opportunities, supervision & a peer support network.

Find out how to apply here: asylumaid.org.uk/what-we-do/c...
Compass: The Asylum Aid Advisor Development Programme | Asylum Aid
Image In England and Wales, 65% of the population lacks access to a legal aid provider for immigrat
asylumaid.org.uk
October 1, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Reposted by Asylum Aid
helenbamber.bsky.social
With 63 other expert orgs, we’ve written to the government to strongly oppose the reduction in the length of time newly-recognised refugees get to move on from asylum accommodation. This could leave thousands more refugees destitute & on the streets this winter.

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Scrap policy that gives refugees with leave to remain 28 days to find housing, say UK groups
Halving time asylum seekers have to leave Home Office accommodation will make thousands homeless at time when ‘racist sentiment’ is on the rise
www.theguardian.com
September 18, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Reposted by Asylum Aid
helenbamber.bsky.social
We cannot stress enough how harmful asylum hotels are — contrary to the perception that they are 'luxurious'. They must be closed urgently but not be replaced with crumbling, overcrowded & isolated large sites. 

Thanks @benchu.bsky.social for dispelling the myths around asylum hotels 👇
bbcnewsnight.bsky.social BBC Newsnight @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social · Aug 29
How many illegal immigrants are living in the UK?

Are they put up in ‘four star hotels’?

Are phones and iPads provided?

Following comments made by Rylan Clark, BBC Verify Policy Correspondent Ben Chu goes through the data and information for #Newsnight
September 2, 2025 at 11:50 AM
asylumaid.bsky.social
We have been witnessing the fear, sadness & disappointment among the people we support over the last few weeks.

The horrific attacks on asylum hotels are a direct outcome of the constant scapegoating of people seeking safety in our politics & the media. This must stop immediately.

Our response 👇
August 28, 2025 at 9:49 AM
asylumaid.bsky.social
📢 New vacancy: We're looking for a Legal Administrator and Training Programme Coordinator to provide vital casework support, manage files and administration for our teams and training programmes.

📍 Based in London
📅 Deadline: 5pm, 27th August

We’d love to hear from you. 👉 ow.ly/m6az50WISzR
Legal Administrator and Training Programme Coordinator | Asylum Aid
The Legal Administrator & Training Programme Coordinator combines two crucial roles with key responsibilities to support the Asylum Aid team.
ow.ly
August 22, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Reposted by Asylum Aid
helenbamber.bsky.social
The plans to use facial recognition technology to assess the age of children seeking asylum are concerning, unless significant safeguards are put in place.

Replacing poor human decision making with inaccurate AI will not prevent children being put at risk.

www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2025...
UK plans to use AI to determine ages of child asylum seekers | The National
Britain wants to use technology as 'cost-effective' fix for problems in asylum system
www.thenationalnews.com
August 14, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Reposted by Asylum Aid
helenbamber.bsky.social
Thousands of families with children arrive in the UK every year to seek protection. But they are pushed into extreme poverty by the Home Office.

Two months ago, the government froze the rates of financial support given to people seeking asylum.

This has a devastating impact on children. 🧵
July 31, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Reposted by Asylum Aid
refugeeaction.bsky.social
"I did not come here seeking wealth or running from poverty. In fact, I had a stable life back in my country, Yemen.

"What forced me to leave was not economic hardship, but persecution and fear for my safety and the safety of my family."

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
‘Every human being deserves dignity’: asylum seeker in Essex hotel calls for understanding
Man housed at hotel targeted in protests writes letter urging people not to resort to harmful stereotypes
www.theguardian.com
July 29, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Reposted by Asylum Aid
helenbamber.bsky.social
Many survivors stay silent due to trauma, stigma & fear of retaliation. We must build trust, create safe reporting channels & remove barriers so they can seek help without fear.

On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we call for systems that protect & support survivors.

#EndHumanTrafficking
July 30, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Reposted by Asylum Aid
praxisprojects.bsky.social
❓Did you know that hundreds of thousands of people are forced to wait over 10 years for the right to permanently settle in the place they already call home?

And it’s about to get worse. 🧵
July 28, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Reposted by Asylum Aid
helenbamber.bsky.social
🚨 We welcome the government's decision to scrap 'scientific methods' of assessing age of children seeking asylum. X-raying children to decide their age is inaccurate, expensive & potentially harmful.

But we remain concerned about the Home Office’s use of visual assessments & plans to use AI. 🧵👇
July 22, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Reposted by Asylum Aid
helenbamber.bsky.social
🚨 Thousands of trafficking survivors continue to be denied permission to stay in the UK despite their critical need for safety and support — a new report by @helenbamber.bsky.social, ATLEU & @ecpatuk.bsky.social reveals.

Instead survivors are left in fear and at risk of further exploitation. 🧵1/3
July 15, 2025 at 7:35 AM
asylumaid.bsky.social
🎧 Second episode of Lawmanity podcast featuring our Executive Director Alison Pickup just dropped! 📻

Listen in to this insightful conversation on securing justice for people seeking asylum and some career advice for aspiring human rights lawyers 👇
lawmanity.com Lawmanity @lawmanity.com · Jul 11
🎤 New episode!🎤 This week, Alison Pickup of @asylumaid.bsky.social shares

⚖️ how the UK Govt doubled down on #Rwanda removals after losing in court
✊🏼 what must be done to secure justice for #refugees
🌻 wise advice for aspiring human rights #activists

🎧 Have a listen here: pnc.st/s/lawmanity
Lawmanity
Hosted by human rights lawyer, Jen Ang, the Lawmanity podcast asks big questions like: How does human rights law really work in practice? And how have activists used the law to create real social cha...
pnc.st
July 11, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Reposted by Asylum Aid
helenbamber.bsky.social
🚨 For the third year in a row, our data shows that HUNDREDS of child refugees, who come to the UK alone, are continuing to be incorrectly treated as adults after a visual assessment of age at the border.

They are placed with strangers in adult accommodation & even adult prisons. 1/2
July 9, 2025 at 8:53 AM