How you can help refugees and migrants

How you can help

Islington Council has a long and proud history of offering sanctuary to those in need. On this page we set-out some of the things you can do to help humanitarian responses in Islington, across the UK and internationally, including for those fleeing conflict in Ukraine and Afghanistan.

If you are looking to help support arrivals from Ukraine, please visit our dedicated webpage. 

Support Ukrainian refugees

Make a donation

The Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal

The UK Government will match public donations to the Ukraine Appeal pound-for-pound up to £25 million.

You may refer also refer to the information provided by the Mayor of London on help for Ukraine.

You may also wish to donate to charities working to provide support to refugees and migrants in all areas of the world, including for example:

• The British Red Cross
• The Refugee Council
• UNICEF
• Medecins Sans Frontieres

In Islington, you may wish to get in-touch with refugee and migrant organisations working in our communities to see how you could help.

When making a donation, always make sure the charity is genuine before giving any financial information. Search the charity register tool to check a registered charity’s name and registration number

 Hosting

Hosting plays an important role in ending destitution in the UK and there are a number of charities who specialise in supporting hosting arrangements, including: 

• Refugees at Home
• Rooms for Refugees
• Reset

The No Accommodation Network (NACCOM) provides a list of member projects providing housing or hosting schemes for refugees, asylum seekers and people with no recourse to public funds who are destitute. 

If you are considering a hosting arrangement, you may wish to read the No Accommodation Network’s Hosting Toolkit. The Sanctuary Foundation is also providing information for hosts.

The government has now launched the Homes for Ukraine scheme to make sure that Ukrainians who have been forced to flee their homes have a route to safety. The scheme will match people, charities, businesses and community groups to Ukrainians who do not have family ties to the UK.

Register your interest in hosting a Ukraine national through the sponsorship scheme on the Homes for Ukraine website.

Please refer to the Refugee Resettlement pages if you would like to know more about council-operated resettlement programmes in Islington.

I am a landlord and have a property available that could be used by refugees 

The council’s lettings and management service offers an excellent way for landlords to contribute to Refugee Resettlement, please email IslingtonLettings@islington.gov.uk to find out more.

Funds will be available from the council to prepare accommodation as part of operating government Refugee Resettlement Schemes (for example those forced to flee Afghanistan) and the council will deliver integration support to the family. Please describe the type of property, number of bedrooms and weekly/monthly rent rate when you email.

I am an estate agent or Housing Association

Every pledge of private rented accommodation is critical to Refugee Resettlement. The council will prepare properties for arrival and ensure that the terms of the rental are agreeable.

Please refer to our Refugee Resettlement pages for further information or contact resettlement@islington.gov.uk

Ways to volunteer

There are a number of organisations that support refugees in London and that need volunteers. You can find out more information on the British Red Cross site, the Refugee Council site and the Refugee Action site.

• Go to Voluntary Action Islington for more information on supporting social action in Islington
• Search for volunteering opportunities across London, including Islington

Can you foster a child refugee or child seeking asylum?

Children and young people arrive in London after difficult journeys from Afghanistan and other war zones. They are all in need of a caring home where they can feel safe and encouraged in their education. Islington needs more foster carers to help these children.  

If you have a spare room to offer, please ring 0800 073 0428 or email fostering@islington.gov.uk. View our fostering page or find us on Facebook.