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.”

Young people say things every day that stay with us. This week, we’re sharing one of those moments, voiced by a member of our team.

Children's safety should never come second to politics. We have seen first-hand the harm that age assessments can cause - and we do not believe that the National Age Assessment Board (part of the Home Office) can act independently.

This year, Ramadan and Lent fall at the same time, two traditions that, in their own ways, bring people together in thoughtfulness and generosity. This reminds us how much we share when it comes to community and compassion.

Young people seeking safety in the UK have been navigating an increasingly challenging environment, shaped by policies and harmful public narratives. During such a difficult time, we wanted to understand the difference our support has made and what young people need most.

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.