about us > facts and figures

Refugee Action is an independent national charity working with refugees to build new lives in the UK.

We provide practical advice and assistance for newly arrived asylum seekers and long-term commitment to their settlement through community development work.

Refugee Action was founded in 1981 to provide a new approach to the successful resettlement in the UK of refugees and asylum seekers. This was based on working in partnership with refugee communities.

Our work has included the reception and settlement of thousands of newly-arrived refugees from Vietnam, Bosnia and Kosova.

We provide asylum advice from regional offices covering the North West, East Midlands, South West and South Central.

Last year we gave asylum seekers support in more than 29,000 advice sessions.

Refugee Action works with refugees in the community, helping them to develop new roots, participate in the wider society and set up their own community organisations.

Last year our community development officers worked with 547 refugee community organisations and refugee-led groups, more than 650 voluntary and statutory organisations, and a diverse range of local consortia, networks, forums and funders.

Our Choices service provides independent advice to refugees and asylum seekers considering returning voluntarily to their country of origin.

Choices receive around 1,500 enquiries every year.