On this #InternationalDayofPeace the urgency is louder than ever. With far-right protests and rising racism, it’s more important than ever to stand in solidarity with refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced young people who deserve to live free from fear.

Good quality legal advice is essential in navigating the immigration system. But thousands of isolated people have been forced to turn to false offers of 'support' after decades of legal aid cuts and neglect. We need a fully resourced legal aid system now! 1/ ⬇️ www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

It’s been a deeply painful week. Thousands have filled the streets in support of an event rooted in hate, division, and racism. Politicians who target and disappear people of colour and migrant communities have been lauded, flattered and celebrated.

Today is #NationalYouthMentalHealthDay 🧠 At Young Roots, we know that mental health support isn’t just about services - it’s about trust, community, and being heard. Z, one of the young people at Young Roots shared:

With 63 other expert organisations, we’ve written to Government to strongly oppose the sudden reduction in the asylum accommodation move-on period for newly recognised refugees. Read our joint letter in full in the The Guardian today 👇

The 56-day move-on period was working—giving newly-recognised refugees a fair chance to avoid homelessness. Now it has been reversed, people granted safety in the UK are being pushed straight into crisis. 📢 We need your voice to get 56 days back. Raise awareness, speak out, write to your MP.

A day at the beach in Eastbourne, creating long lasting memories🌊 This beautiful image was captured and edited by one of the young people who attended the trip, they also shared:

Young Women’s Group recently went on a trip to Brighton 🌊 Here are some of the highlights from the day: 👣 Soaking our legs in the sea 🌅 Watching the beautiful ocean view 🏖️ Seeing new things and being together

“When I got my decision, the first thing I thought about was calling Young Roots. I knew they would help me. They helped me to find somewhere to stay which means I am not outside” – Mohammed, a young person who attends Young Roots

Is it groundhog day? In a desperate race to the bottom, the Government now want to warehouse people seeking safety in the UK on military and industrial sites. These are the exact plans this Government condemned when they were in opposition. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

As summer winds down, we’re reflecting on the unforgettable moments that shaped it. This video, made by one young person during our residential trip, captures what these moments mean. "Everything we enjoyed we got to watch back, we worked as a team and we became closer friends"

With figures like Farage and the media stoking fear around refugees, it's clear that the voices of compassion are needed now more than ever. The talk of deportations, the suspension on family reunion and sensational headlines only divides us, but we know the truth: everyone deserves safety. 🕊️

Swipe through to see why 56 days makes all the difference and learn how you can take action and help make it permanent: 👉 Read blog here: www.youngroots.org.u... #56DaysToStability #WriteToYourMP

The suspension of family reunion applications is the shutting down of one of the only safe routes that exists, forcing more people into making dangerous journeys.

"We all deserve to feel safe – and we must give no ground to policies that use human beings as political pawns." Read our piece in ‪@left-foot-forward.bsky.social‬ on why Reform's new plans are a fundamental attack on the right to safety: leftfootforward.org/2025/08/refo...

Home Office plans to slash the move-on period for newly-recognised refugees from 56 days back to just 28—pushing people who’ve been granted safety in the UK towards homelessness this winter. We need you to write to your MP and demand #56DaysToStability now. Everyone deserves a home.

The evidence for the positive benefits of the 56 day move-on period for everyone - refugees, communities, local authorities - is overwhelming. The Home Office has not even completed its evaluation of the pilot scheme. And yet, they have decided to reverse this win-win policy.

Every week brings a new idea that grabs headlines but doesn't actually fix the problem. Only 52% of asylum decisions pass the Home Office’s own internal quality checks.

What a fantastic day at our Young Roots Summer Party at the Croydon Hub! 🌞 Young people came together to enjoy delicious BBQ food, cooked by a staff member and a young person.

At Young Roots, we support young people through this challenging journey, helping them understand their rights, access their entitlements, and providing the emotional support they need in these uncertain times.

"Imagine you’re making a soup, and you add too much salt or too much chilli, suddenly it becomes too much – you can’t eat it, it’s spoilt for everyone. That’s what is happening to society and our communities – it will become worse for everyone if this hostility and hatred continues.

Do you donate at Christmas to your favourite causes? We would love you to pledge now for our BIG GIVE, Christmas appeal. If we get a supporter to pledge by the 29th August 2025 – we can set our Christmas target for £10,000. We need your help NOW to make a real difference for young refugees.

In its asylum deal, this government accepts people seeking asylum via France, but only if it removes those who cross the Channel. This "transfer scheme" relies on other people risking their lives at sea, only to be locked up and sent back. This isn’t what a safe route looks like.

MPs need to hear from us, and the future of young people depends on it. Swipe through to find out why your voice matters, then head to our blog for everything you need to take action: 👉www.youngroots.org.u... #WriteToYourMP

Today we celebrate the strength and courage of young people. At Young Roots, we stand alongside young people as they rebuild their lives and find connection. In a climate where headlines often overshadow humanity, we choose to uplift stories of resilience, hope and belonging.🌎🧡

Today we join over 200 orgs to call for communities & the country to be brought together for a different way forward – one that's compassionate & united. This must be a turning point. @refugeestogether.bsky.social #TogetherWithRefugee

"I wish every day was as good as today." 🛶 🌊 One young person’s words after an unforgettable day kayaking! These trips go beyond the adventure. They’re about connection, confidence, and rediscovering joy.

Calling out to companies📣 Are you an employer who wants to drive social impact, or an employee passionate about making a difference through your workplace? Help us amplify the impact for young refugees by supporting our Big Give Christmas Appeal.

Last week, young people came together to celebrate World Friendship Day by reflecting on what makes a great friend, who inspires them, and who is important to them in London. Their thoughtful responses remind us of the power of connection and community. 💬🧡

‘I feel alone when I arrived to this country, I didn't know people, I don't have friends before. So when I come to Young Roots, I meet many friends, know more people, know more cultures, that feels so nice because I'm not alone’ – young person who attends Young Roots

'Youth Support Collective’, a group of young people with lived experience of age assessments by the Home Office, has collaborated with @refugeecouncil.bsky.social and GMIAU to create a guide to support others going through the process, and social workers. 🔗 childhood1st.notion.site/age-assessme...

Age assessments can determine the future of young refugees. Swipe to better understand the impact they have on young lives and what you can do to help.

At our Young Women’s Group, we recently held a holistic self-defence class - not just about learning physical techniques, but about building confidence and supporting emotional wellbeing.

Children should have the right to be believed. Far too many have their age disputed by the government - and the government are now saying they will use AI to determine age. This is extremely alarming.

We recently showed our short film - Like Starting Life from Scratch, which was made by young people and professional film-makers - at youth club. Young people said they liked the film's honesty, and that the film describes reality. To watch our short film, follow the link youtu.be/ZyKKFFAbAEc

Many young people are facing mental health challenges, navigating displacement, isolation, and the complexities of accessing services in a new country. We understand this is overwhelming, which is why our casework provides support in every area of life - from the small things to the big things.

Our Community of Kindness is growing, and we’d love for you to be a part of it! By signing up for our newsletter, you’ll stay connected to the impact of our work and see firsthand how your support is making a difference. 👉 Sign up: www.youngroots.org.u... #CommunityofKindness

Another great Connecting the Sector event hosted by ‪@migranthelp.bsky.social‬ - so much learning shared and connections made. We were very proud to able to show our short film created by young people at Young Roots. You can watch it by following the link: www.youtube.com/watc...

“There isn’t such a sense of desperation now.” For young refugees, the extended 56-day eviction period has made a noticeable difference. It’s given them more time to find a place to live, access support, and build a stable future. But this change isn’t permanent yet, and it needs to be.

Some moments from our football and cricket tournament, captured by an incredibly talented young photographer. ⚽🏏🏅 When we asked the young people how they felt while playing, they said: “fantastic,” “happy,” and “feeling better.” Days like this remind us of the power of sport and community.

📰 Black people in England are almost four times as likely to face homelessness as white people and substantially less likely to get social housing. Separate research from @heriotwattuni.bsky.social and Shelter shows how inequality remains hardwired into our housing system: shltr.org.uk/gfm3E

Today on World Youth Skills Day, we’re spotlighting the skills young people gain through volunteering.🌍We’re proud to support young people as they build skills for their futures and you can too by donating at www.youngroots.org.uk #WorldYouthSkillsDay #SupportingYoungRefugees

At Young Roots, young people not only access essential services, but also build friendships that last a lifetime. Together, we create a space where people feel heard, valued, and supported - something that’s vital when rebuilding a life in a new country. 🤝

More playing politics with people's lives. We all deserve to be safe - and no-one wants to make a dangerous journey. People come to the UK because they want to be safe, and because they have ties here such as communities already here, a legacy of British colonialism.

Last week we held an art exhibition. The collages were created by young people and youth workers through a collective and spontaneous process. Young people expressed thoughts about love and hope, some were suggestive of heartbreak and loss, whilst others explored strength, survival, and friendship.

🚨We have published a NEW REPORT sharing the experiences of children from our All4One youth group who were wrongly treated as adults by the Home Office. These children arrived in the UK alone seeking asylum, were declared “significantly over 18” at the border and sent alone to adult asylum hotels.

Right now in the UK, young people granted refugee status face homelessness when having to move on from their asylum accommodation. We've seen huge improvements with the eviction period being increased to 56 days - but this has to be made permanent.

Citizenship gives young people safety, stability, and the chance to rebuild their lives. For many, that has a real and lasting impact on their mental health.

Over the last few months, young people have taken part in some incredible trips, including a visit to Emirates Stadium, creating new memories and exploring the venue behind the scenes. Thanks to your support, experiences like this keep happening.

Trans, intersex and non-binary people seeking asylum already face huge risks. The EHRC draft Code could make it worse. We’ve joined 40+ orgs calling on the government to protect trans people’s rights. Read the joint statement: www.rainbowmigration... #LGBTQAsylum #TransRightsAreHumanRights