Next up in our policy series, we’re looking at one of our key priority areas: age disputes and the serious impact they have on young people seeking safety.

Over the past three years, so much has changed for young people seeking safety in the UK. We wanted to take a step back and understand how well our support has been working — and what young people need from us now. Read this thread to see how we did this

When we feel safe and like we belong, we flourish. In its ongoing punitive attacks on migrants and refugees, the government has announced proposed changes ("earned settlement") that would make it much harder to get indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Our young women’s group is a space shaped by young women, for young women, where their voices lead the way. When we asked the group to describe what this space means to them, they chose words like kindness, friendship and fun. Reflecting together reminded us how powerful youth‑led spaces can be.

“The money does not fix my mental health. It does not give me my time back, 7 years. The money is a good thing, but I wish these things never happened to me. I wish I had been allowed to live my life without these problems.” - Amir* @weareyoungroots.bsky.social @lisaleziza.bsky.social 👏💚

Co-creation is one of the ways we make sure young people’s voices shape everything we do. From choosing topics to designing posts, young people lead the way in telling their own stories. Swipe through this post to learn more and look out for co-created posts on our feed and show them some love.

Thank you to the 150+ local councillors who signed the joint letter to the asylum minister calling for the 56 day move-on period to be reinstated! It was great to work with the Migrant Champions Network @jcwi-uk.bsky.social on this. jcwi.org.uk/updates/...

LGBT+ History Month is a reminder that visibility, safety and belonging are still not guaranteed for many young LGBTQ+ people seeking sanctuary in the UK. For some, even everyday spaces don't feel safe enough to be themselves. We're working to change that.

At Young Roots, we work every day with young people who have hopes, dreams and the determination to rebuild their lives. But we also see how laws, policies and everyday practice can block their rights, undermine their safety and make it harder for them to thrive.

The young people who attend Young Roots were asked what gift they would give themselves. One young woman chose strength and resilience.

Every week, our youth activities bring young people together to connect and take a breath from everything they’re carrying. It creates opportunities for young people to build confidence, try new things, and feel part of a community that believes in them

When asked what helped him confront trauma and start to rebuild his life here, Hamza’s answer was simple and full of heart. “Young Roots… they make a big, big difference. My first week in the UK, when I was completely in the dark, they came and gave me kindness and asked me what I needed.”

“I like listening to music by myself to relax.” ✨🎶 A young person at one of our activities shared their love of music by creating this image and sharing how listening helps them feel calmer and less stressed. Check our Young Roots playlist made by young people: 🔗🎧 open.spotify.com/pla...

As we return for the new year, we’re thinking about the months ahead with a sense of hope. This year, we’re inviting our community to choose one intentional action that supports young refugees through Young Roots.

As we step into 2026, we’re reminded of the power of solidarity and the strength that comes from community. This past year has been tough, with asylum policy making life even harder for young people seeking safety.

Merry Christmas to everyone in our community! We’re so grateful for your support, kindness, and connection throughout the year. May this festive season bring joy, peace, and hope to you and your loved ones. With love from Young Roots. 🧡

Hamza, a young person that attends Young Roots, shared his story in the Evening Standard as part of the Comic Relief Winter Appeal. He spoke about arriving in the UK and said:

Solidarity means standing together, recognising our shared humanity, and acting with compassion. At Young Roots, we believe that true solidarity is shown through supporting young people as they navigate enormous challenges and build new lives. Ways you can show solidarity today:

Young Roots is closed from 19/12/25 to 05/01/26. We will not be checking social media messages, emails or phones over this time. If you need any support during the holiday period, please follow the link in our bio to our website where you can find also find support on what to do if you are homeless.

We’re winding down the winter season with festive celebrations across our youth activities.🎄✨ At our Croydon Hub, we shared a meal, baked mince pies, and enjoyed time together. These activities remind us how vital it is for young people to have somewhere they are welcomed and not alone.

“I give their evidence significant weight”: Young Roots’ role in important legal win ⚖️ A young person supported by Young Roots has just been successful in an important challenge to a National Age Assessment Board age assessment decision. 🔗Read our blog post on this here:

When Hamza arrived in the UK, he was exhausted & alone. Now he’s working, studying, and looking ahead with hope. Hamza’s story is part of the Winter Appeal with ComicRelief & @thelondonstandard.bsky.social , highlighting the realities faced by young refugees. www.standard.co.uk/news/young-r...

THANK YOU SO MUCH for helping us reach our Big Give fundraising target! You, our amazing community, have brought the total to an incredible £10,462 towards our vital youth work 🧡 A huge thank you to The Childhood Trust for doubling donations as our Funding Champion.

Youth work is often the first safe, welcoming space young people find in the UK. It’s where they meet friends, build confidence, and feel they belong. For a few hours each week, they can forget appointments, responsibilities, and worries at home. Donate before 12pm today to keep it going.

🚨We have less than 24 hours left to reach our target! So far, we’ve raised £6,874 and we need to reach £10,000. Anything you can give will go twice as far, offering safety and hope to young refugees.🧡 donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

This slogan, created by one of our young volunteers, comes to life in this video. Young people from all different backgrounds say it in their own languages, showing how our spaces bring people together, foster friendship, and create a sense of belonging. Donate: donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

The young people we support have put together a playlist featuring the songs they love, play, and share with each other during our activities. Listen to get a feel for the joy in our spaces. 🎧 And if you can, your donation this week helps keep these spaces alive. 🧡 open.spotify.com/pla...

“Having something to come to every week and a schedule of activities gives you value, keep you in the community, being integrated. We are meeting new people, sharing what we are going through.” This is the power of youthwork.

“When I play, I forget everything and have a smile on my face.” ⚽🏏🎱🏓 Our sports sessions at Young Roots do exactly that—young people tell us they feel happy, fantastic, and better in themselves when they play. These sessions are essential for young people’s mental health and wellbeing.

“Without my friends, community and support I have received, my journey would be more difficult. Because of this, I make sure I bring all my friends to the Hub who are in similar situations”

This is where the journey begins for so many young people arriving alone in the UK, confused, shut out by language barriers, and unsure where to turn. Youthwork spaces give young people a safe place to start again.

The young people we work with say it best. 🎥 Hear their voices. 🧡 Help us keep this community going. This week, your support can help keep these spaces alive. Every donation is doubled through The Big Give. donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

Things are tough for the young people we work with right now. Some are living in places where protests happen just outside their doors. The news is full of policies that make life even harder. It’s a lot to carry, especially when you’re here alone. That’s why youthwork matters.

Youthwork is where healing begins. For one week only, every donation is doubled through the Big Give Christmas Challenge. Help us reach £5,000 to support young people seeking safety in the UK. 👉 Donate today: donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05... #BigGiveChristmasChallenge #ChristmasChallenge

M’s journey shows the challenges young refugees face when starting over in the UK — from navigating a new language to finding safe accommodation and building community. Throughout it all, his caseworker was a constant source of support.

At our hub, some of the young people came together to cook a meal for everyone to share and enjoy. Sharing meals builds community, celebrates culture, and reminds us how important it is to come together. 🧡🍲

At our young women’s group, we have been doing yoga sessions to support wellbeing and confidence. During the first session, the group shared empowering quotes with one another. “Respect each other – respect another person, respect yourself.” ✨

We live better as neighbours — not in hotels, barracks, or camps. It’s better for communities, for people seeking asylum, and for the budget. Read how council-led pilots could reshape asylum housing: 🔗

The gov’s new asylum plans are the harshest yet. 🛑 Just 30 months’ leave — no long-term security 🛑 Family reunion blocked — loved ones kept apart 🛑 No duty to support the destitute 🛑 Safe routes only for workers/students We know what young people need to rebuild: stability, safety, belonging.

Save the Date: The Big Give is back from 2nd to 9th December! 📣 Right now, young refugees and asylum seekers are facing even greater barriers to safety. With current policies making it harder to find stability, your donation matters more than ever.

M faced some of the toughest challenges a young person can experience, from an age dispute to the threat of homelessness. It was, in his words, “one of the most difficult chapters in my life.” He urgently needed legal support.

The government has shut down refugee family reunion — turning in effect a “temporary pause” into a permanent ban. Cruel. Heartless. Inhumane. 🧵 reunitefamiliesuk.co.uk/over-60-orgs...

Huge thanks to Baroness Lister for her amendment to the Border Security Bill on the need to reinstate the 56 day move-on period for all newly-granted refugees, and for sharing our evidence from our frontline teams and the views of young people in her speech!

What an incredible day at Kazzum Arts' exhibition! The exhibition featured painting, sculpture, and mixed media created by young artists from across London including young people who attend Young Roots. @kazzumarts.bsky.social

Watch our Policy and Campaigns Manager Lisa on this @gardencourtlaw.bsky.social webinar on the National Age Assessment Board. Watch here 🎥

🎥As part of the Young Volunteering Scheme Level 2, a talented young volunteer created a video of a behind-the-scenes look at our hubs. Through volunteering, young people explore their creativity, grow in confidence, and gain real experience. Watch video here: https://youtu.be/t1U5h0BfKN0

Meet MA. When he arrived in the UK, MA didn’t speak English. He felt completely alone, exhausted from a long, dangerous journey and overwhelmed by a city that felt nothing like home. Things began to shift when another young person introduced him to Young Roots.

Safe routes mean having a way to reach protection without risking your life. But for many young people, those routes are limited or don’t exist at all. Young Roots stands with young people calling for fair, accessible, and humane pathways to safety.

This #StressAwarenessWeek we're highlighting what stress really looks like for young people facing displacement. It’s living with constant uncertainty, about where you’ll stay, who you can trust, and what comes next. @helenbamber.bsky.social

🚨 URGENT: We're launching a campaign to stop this Government tearing families apart – will you join us? A few weeks ago, the Government suspended refugee family reunion. We can't let this stand. ✍️ Email the Home Secretary NOW: act.safepassage.org.uk/email-home-s...