We were delighted to be hosted in Westminster on Wednesday by Natasha Irons MP, who helped make the Young Roots parliamentary event possible. MPs and peers joined us to hear directly from young people about their experiences of seeking safety in the UK.

We are still buzzing from our fantastic event in parliament yesterday. We brought together young people from Young Roots and MPs and peers, so that the parliamentarians who make the laws about young asylum-seekers and refugees' lives know what those lives are actually like.

Family reunion should offer a safe route for people to rebuild their lives in a new country, away from danger. It allows refugee families to be together, and helps children and young people create a positive future.

A behind‑the‑scenes look at banner‑making ahead of our event in Parliament. Tomorrow, young people will meet MPs to talk about how policies affect their everyday lives and the changes they need to safely rebuild their futures. Their voices matter. Stay tuned for updates from the event!

At Young Roots, hope looks like community. It looks like volunteers giving their time, fundraisers backing young people’s futures, and young people supporting each other through challenges. These everyday acts of care and solidarity are the hope we see, and the hope we celebrate.

B came to the UK from Afghanistan seeking safety, but faced confusion, isolation and long periods without support. They also experienced homelessness and struggled to access basic healthcare. We helped B register with a GP, attend appointments and navigate housing during an incredibly unstable time.

The King's Speech today announced yet another asylum & immigration bill - the fifth in five years.

Volunteering, helping neighbours, welcoming newly arrived refugees into the community— small everyday acts of kindness strengthen our communities. At a time when division feels loud, hope grows through simple connection.

Since 2019 we’ve partnered with @helenbamber.bsky.social supporting young people with Casework and therapeutic care. For #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek we’re sharing O’s story. O was struggling with anxiety & feeling overwhelmed. Through out partnership they joined a 12‑week therapeutic programme

A massive shout out to some of our incredible supporters! Helena took on the London Marathon and Kathryn & her team completed the Belfast Marathon Relay. Raising over £2000 both achievements are amazing and show powerful solidarity with young people seeking safety.

Today we can see that the politics of division are on the rise, making life harder and more dangerous for people seeking safety. Our communities grow stronger when everyone feels they have a place here. If politicians won’t make refugees feel welcome, we can.

Local councillors play a vital role in creating safe, welcoming communities for people seeking sanctuary and rebuilding their lives in the UK. For young people, community and a sense of belonging can change everything.

Last week, many of the provisions of the Renters' Rights Act came into force. The young people we work with often rely on the private rented sector when they leave asylum accommodation (having been granted the right to stay in the UK) and the protections for renters that the Act includes are vital.

At our Croydon Hub, young people shared what they wish MPs understood about their experiences, speaking about belonging and the realities of seeking safety. One young person chose to share their words in this powerful way.

Caring about children's rights means caring about the rights of every child. That's why we're speaking out against new rules that put thousands of migrant and refugee children in the UK at risk of poverty, homelessness and trauma. Asylum Matters

We’re seeing more and more harmful narratives about people seeking asylum - stories that create fear instead of understanding. Young people in our community feel the impact of this every day. We’re committed to challenging this hostility and pushing for a future where compassion comes first.

Young people deserve to be part of the conversations that shape their lives. Read our thread to learn what’s changing in the asylum system and how we’re creating space for young voices to be heard.

After being granted refugee status, Mohammed experienced a period of homelessness. He was living with uncertainty at a time when he should have been able to feel more settled. Consistent support helped Mohammed get through this period of instability.

For many young people, arriving at a new service takes courage. What makes the difference is not just what is offered, but how it feels to be there. Feeling welcomed, understood, and knowing there are others who are in similar situations to you.

No one should have to face homelessness or navigate a new place alone simply because the system makes it harder to belong. Right now, young people are trying to rebuild their lives while living with instability, isolation, and uncertainty. This is where collective action matters.

Our activities offer more than something to do, they are safe spaces for young people to be themselves, build friendships, and feel part of a community. A chance to take a break from worry and stress, even for a moment. Hear more about our activities here: www.youngroots.org.uk/newsletter

We are aware of the BBC’s investigation into individuals allegedly helping people fabricate LGBTQI+ asylum claims. Read the full statement on our website:

The Government is making major changes to the asylum system that will impact the young people we work with. Refugees are now granted permission to stay in the UK for just 30 months instead of five years as was previously the case, forcing people to live with constant uncertainty and fear.

There’s something special about seeing our community take on incredible challenges for young people. This year, we have one of our supporters running the London Marathon and another group of supporters running the Belfast Relay Marathon.

Four people dead. 42 more people who've survived but now have to live with the trauma and terror of a near-death boat sinking. All completely avoidable. Our Government chose this. They can chose differently. Safe routes save lives. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

Celebrations have been in full swing at Young Roots. In Brent, young people came together for a joint Eid and Nowruz party, and in Croydon we marked Eid and Easter with food, henna and plenty of fun. Young people came together to celebrate different cultures and traditions, it was wonderful.🧡🌟🌿

This artwork was created by one of our young volunteers, M, who wanted to share joy and celebration with our whole community today.

Young refugees and asylum seekers continue to face a system that can feel overwhelming and, at times, deeply hostile. Even when progress is made, many young people are still left navigating uncertainty and instability. That’s why collective action matters.

The National Age Assessment Board is 3 years old today and we remain adamant that it cannot operate independently while it is part of the Home Office.

Meet Listosa. He first came to Young Roots in 2022, after staff at the hotel where he was living told him about our support. At the time, he needed help with his age assessment and asylum claim. Almost three years later, his journey came full circle.

“I came from an isolated place where I didn’t know many people and then I felt very welcome at Young Roots.” Young people have to navigate a new country and a complex asylum system that can feel overwhelming and isolating. Creating spaces where they feel welcomed and supported is essential.

Z’s story shows what the right support can make possible. With a safe place to stay, clear information, and someone walking alongside her, she was able to find a home, start working, and build a life she feels confident in.

Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating.🌙 From all of us at Young Roots, we’re wishing you a day filled with peace, joy and time with the people who matter to you.

M, a young person who has been coming to Young Roots for six months, has just completed their Young Volunteering Level 1 and we couldn’t be prouder! 🧡 Reflecting on their time with us, M created this image at our Croydon Hub.

Spring is all about new beginnings, but we know that recent asylum decisions have made it even harder for young refugees and asylum seekers to rebuild their lives here in the UK. At Young Roots, we’re doing everything we can to support them as they navigate that reality.

We came together last week for iftar at our Croydon hub and it was a very a wholesome evening. Delicious food, cooked with love by one of our young volunteers and staff, and a table full of people sharing it. This is the heart of Young Roots.🧡

For the young people we work with, feeling seen, heard and understood is the first step toward feeling part of a community. And shared understanding of young people’s experiences is a key part of building a community where everyone feels they belong.

Yesterday 100s of people from across the UK came together in Parliament to meet with their MPs about the Govt.'s disastrous earned settlement plans. Together, we shared our concerns directly with 80+ MPs. A massive thank you to everyone who joined & helped make it happen. This is just the start.

At our Croydon Hub we’ve been busy planning for the year ahead with young people leading the way. Sharing ideas for activities, trips they’d love to go on, workshops they’re excited about and reflecting on the space as it is.

The new policy of a 42 day move-on period for newly-granted refugees shows that the government has been forced to listen to refugees and people who stand up for refugees rights who have said for years that 28 days isn't long enough to find a new home after getting status.

International Women’s Day is kicking off a month of celebrating the strength, creativity and community of the young women we work with. We’re reflecting on a therapeutic art workshop ran by TalithaArts where one young woman wrote a message that read: “Women can.”

The young people we work with need safety and stability to rebuild their lives - that's why we signed this joint letter urging the government to show leadership and change course on their disastrous asylum and migration changes. www.heraldscotland.c...

"Safety and protection is all I ask for ...I'd like to be accepted in this country" We know what young people need to be able to rebuild their lives in the UK after fleeing their home countries - and it's the exact opposite of the government's changes to asylum.

Through the external evaluation, we heard directly from young people about what our support means to them. For many, Young Roots is the only place where they can access this combination of practical help, trusted relationships and fun activities in one space.

We’re proud to be working with Kazzum Arts to bring confidence-building Creative ESOL sessions to young people at our Croydon hub. The sessions are full of creative activities using imagery, writing and interactive exercises.

World Teen Mental Wellness Day is a reminder of how important it is for young people to have spaces where they can connect, feel supported and build friendships. At Young Roots, this is at the heart of our youth activities.

Two weeks to save 56 days! When people are granted refugee status they were previously given just 28 days to move out of their asylum accommodation and find a new home. (1/2)

Amir was left homeless after being wrongly assessed as an adult following flawed age assessment. In a legal first, we supported Amir to win compensation from the local authority for the harm the assessment caused him. Read article written by our Policy & Campaigns team here

For the final post in our policy priorities series, we’re highlighting the right to asylum — a lifeline for people fleeing danger, and one that current government plans could significantly impact. Swipe through to find out more. 1/2

As part of our external evaluation, partners and supporters shared powerful reflections about our work. One of the key findings was that Young Roots has delivered an “exemplary and sector-leading service.”