We support young people affected by displacement and crisis to access and progress in education. In the UK, we run educational mentoring schemes and offer education advice and support and social activities for young refugees, asylum seekers and victims of trafficking.  These programmes work predominantly with separated children and young people, who are in the UK without a responsible adult. 

We also run a higher education programme, helping young refugees, asylum seekers and victims of trafficking who have the academic potential to go to university overcome the barriers they face. 

Alongside our key work with young people, we also work with refugee and asylum seeking women in our local Harlesden community.  Internationally, we are developing partnerships with local organisations in order to improve access to and quality of education for children who remain in, or return to regions of the world affected by displacement and crisis.  Alongside our these programmes we also provide training, research and consultancy on issues connected to the education and experiences of young refugees, asylum seekers and victims of trafficking.

Watch our video to hear RSN founder and Programmes Manager, Catherine Gladwell, speak about the vision behind our work.

Request a speaker

We have a team of speakers who are available to speak about issues affecting young refugees, asylum seekers and victims of trafficking at your event, church or function.  To book a speaker, contact Catherine.

Why education?

Separated children (refugee and asylum seeking children under the age of 18, in this country without parent or guardian, also referred to as unaccompanied minors) are one of the most vulnerable groups in our society.  Having fled various traumatic experiences in their country of origin, they often experience further hardship or abuse on their journeys to the UK.  Many have never been to school, and others have significant gaps in their education.  On arrival they face a complicated asylum process that operates in a language they may not understand.  They are looked after by local authorities in foster care, or housed in multi-occupancy accommodation or children’s homes.  They often experience isolation, loneliness, and difficulties communicating.  Some have been brought into the UK by human traffickers and can experience on-going exploitation and abuse.

Many unaccompanied minors speak of education as the most positive thing in their life, because it enables them to focus on the future rather than the past.  Yet barriers such as language level, understanding of various systems, lack of personal contacts or networks and emotional and cultural difficulties often prevent them from getting the education they need to start to build a future.

Refugee Support Network helps young people to develop skills that will be useful to them both now and in the future - whether they ultimately receive permanent leave to remain in this country or are returned to their country of origin.  In the midst of uncertainty, we believe that investing in education sends a clear message that these young people have a future that is worth preparing for.

Click here to read more about why we believe that education creates a hopeful future.