Refugee Youth Service Welcomes New Co-CEO
We are thrilled to announce a significant step in the growth and sustainability of Refugee Youth Service: the recruitment of a new Co-CEO to join our leadership team. This role will strengthen our ability to support displaced children and young people while ensuring we remain agile in addressing the challenges and opportunities ahead.
As our activities have become increasingly focused in the UK we’ve recognised the need to enhance our leadership presence, as well as deepen our capacity in key areas such as fundraising and communications. To address this, we’ve introduced the part-time Co-CEO position, which will complement the work of our existing CEO and help build a stronger, more sustainable future for RYS.
We are delighted to welcome Jess to this pivotal role. Jess brings a wealth of experience and expertise that aligns perfectly with the organisation’s vision and goals. Her background in building partnerships, strategic development, and navigating complex financial landscapes will play a vital role in steering RYS through this critical period.
This new appointment marks an exciting chapter for RYS as we continue to advocate for the rights and wellbeing of age-disputed children and asylum-seeking youth. We look forward to sharing updates as Jess settles into her role and contributes to the impactful work of RYS. Please join us in welcoming Jess to the team!
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Mohammad’s Journey and Call for Change
My name is Mohammad. I am 18 years old, and I come from Sudan. I have been living in the UK for less than two years, but my journey here was long and very difficult. Today, I want to tell you my story. It is not just my story, but the story of many people like me who have been forced to leave their homes. I hope that by sharing this, and what happened to me when I arrived here, I can help change the way things work for others in the future.
In Sudan, I lived with my parents and my five sisters. Life was not always easy, but Sudan is a beautiful country and we were happy. My father was involved in politics. He wanted to make Sudan a better place, but his political work made him a target. One day, the authorities came to our house, but my father was not there so they took me instead. I was only 16 years old. I was thrown into prison, and for two weeks, I was beaten and treated badly. Those were the worst days of my life.
My uncle paid money to the police, and they let me go. But my family knew I was not safe in Sudan anymore. My parents decided I had to leave the country. They found a smuggler who would take me to Egypt. The journey was horrible. I was put in a truck meant for animals, and it was very hard to breathe. I stayed in Egypt for a few months, but I could not stay there forever so my family found another smuggler who promised to take me to the UK.
I didn’t know this at the time, but the smuggler took my photo and put it on someone else’s passport. When we arrived in the UK, he left me alone at the airport. The authorities asked me questions, and I tried to explain, but I didn’t know much English then. I told them I was 17 and they took me to accommodation for children. However, it was not long until people from the Home Office came to tell me that the passport I arrived with said I was 32 years old. As a result the authorities decided to do full assessment of my age. With this they decided I was ‘between 20 and 25 years old’ and they made me pack my bags and go to a hotel for adults.
This was very difficult because I needed help and protection as a child, but this was taken away from me.
Over the next year I lived in many different places, in fact I moved six times —to Wembley, Slough, Whitechapel, and others. Each time I started to feel comfortable, they moved me again. Moving so much made me feel lost. I couldn’t make friends or feel safe. Every time I had to pack my things and leave, it felt like starting my life all over again. In some places, the staff were nice and tried to help me, but in others, I felt very lonely.
The constant moving and uncertainty made me feel anxious all the time. I didn’t know if I would be sent to another place or if I could stay and keep going to the college I had joined. I often worried about my future. Would I ever feel safe? Would I be given asylum? These questions kept me awake at night.
"They told me ‘you are fine, you are young and you have no health or mental problems, you don’t have children or a pregnant girlfriend, you can go and sleep on the street.’ I told them OK, I will go and get one of those and come back."
The worst thing that happened to me was being made homeless, after my request for asylum was accepted. They told me that I was now officially a refugee and therefore I was not entitled to asylum-seeker support. I didn’t understand the difference, but they kicked me out onto the street. I went to the council, who have a list of requirements before they will give you accommodation. They told me ‘you are fine, you are young and you have no health or mental problems, you don’t have children or a pregnant girlfriend, you can go and sleep on the street.’ I told them OK, I will go and get one of those and come back.
After two nights on the street an NGO offered me temporary housing with a family. I stayed with them for 10 days. During this time, and with the help of some organisations and lawyers, the authorities finally accepted that I was younger than they first thought, but by then I had turned 18. My solicitor explained to me however that the authorities would only accept my age and give me an ID card with my correct age if I agreed to not accept further support from them. This further support is the support given to young people who leave care when they turn 18 and includes supported accommodation, financial support, and support with finding education, training or work.
"I had been living with 5 other men who would drink alcohol and regularly fight in the room."
As I was now receiving Universal Credit, and I had been attending college, all I cared about was having stable accommodation. In the hotel I had been living with 5 other men who would drink alcohol and regularly fight in the room. It was an awful place to live. I was so desperate to not return there. I explained this to my solicitor who advised me to accept the offer from the authorities, and then make an immediate request for permanent accommodation close to my college.
Today I am still living in temporary accommodation, but I have my own room, bathroom and fridge, and a shared kitchen where I can cook whatever I want. I am waiting to move again, hopefully for the last time, to permanent accommodation. I continue to go to college and I can see my English improving every day.
Despite everything, I feel positive about a future in the UK. But I know the system is broken. Many young people like me are still struggling. That is why I want to talk about the changes that are needed. Here are some important things that should be done:
- Age Assessments Must be Fair
Age assessments must be fair. They should not have bias, prejudice, or racism. But some assessors do not treat young people fairly. I was asked by a social worker, “Why did you come to my country?” instead of asking, “Why did you come to the UK?” This kind of question makes you feel like you don’t belong. Assessors should treat everyone with respect and they should focus on finding the truth and not let their personal opinions affect their work.
To make things better, assessors should get training about different cultures. This will help them understand people’s backgrounds and not judge them unfairly. There should also be independent people to check age assessments. If someone feels the assessment was not fair, they can ask them to review it. Finally, we should be able to share our feedback. Our experiences can help make the system better and fairer for everyone.
- Age Assessments Must Be Fast
When I arrived, they accepted I was a child, but then changed their mind. This mistake changed my life. Children need more care and support than adults, and if the authorities get your age wrong, you don’t get the help you need. In fact, after an age assessment they say you are an adult, you have 90 days to challenge the result. In contrast to this the authorities can decide at any time that someone they believed was a child is actually an adult. They don’t face the same time restriction.
Therefore, you could be settling into your life, going to college, and making friends, and then suddenly, after a year, they tell you that you are an adult. They might move you to a hotel for adults in another part of the country. This happened to me, and it was very hard. I currently have two friends that are also awaiting the results of their age-assessments, they have already been at college for 10 months. It would be fairer if the authorities also had only 90 days to challenge your age if they don’t believe you. That way, they cannot suddenly uproot your life later.
- Provide Stable Housing
Moving from place to place makes it hard to feel safe, and when you move too much, you cannot make friends. Refugees should be given stable housing where they can stay for a long time. This would help them build a life and feel part of a community.
- Help Refugees Understand their Rights
When I first came to the UK, I didn’t know my rights. I didn’t know what help I could ask for, and I felt very alone. I can see now that not knowing my rights made me vulnerable. I believe that the authorities know this, and it makes it possible for them to treat us unfairly. It is important to give people information in their own language so they can understand what support is available, and so they can protect themselves. I know one young person, who I met in the hotel, who was told to sign to say he accepted the outcome of his age assessment, or he would be sent back to Sudan. He was scared so he signed.
- You Should Not Need a Lawyer to be Heard
It should be possible for us to fix things ourselves, and not rely on being lucky enough to have other people to do it for us. We should not have to force people to do the work the government pays them to do, and we should not have to rely on free lawyers and NGOs to force them either. The system is designed to make us silent, and to make us accept whatever happens to us. I was fortunate to have a lawyer to help me, and with a single email from them to the authorities, they suddenly started treating me like a king. There should be independent people who can help all of us to receive the same, fair, treatment.
- More Support for Young Refugees
Young people like me can need extra help. We are far from our families, and we face many challenges. The system should provide more support for young refugees, including people who can guide us as we build our new lives. I was fortunate to know a Sudanese elder who had lived in England for 30 years and motivated and encouraged me through some of the hardest times. Every young person needs similar guidance and support.
- Listen to Our Stories
One of the hardest things was feeling like no one was listening. Decisions about my life were made without understanding my story. Authorities should take the time to listen to refugees and involve us in decisions that affect us. This will lead to better outcomes for everyone.
The asylum system is supposed to help people, but sometimes it feels like it makes life harder. Refugees come to the UK to find safety and hope, but the system often adds to our stress and fear. We need a system that supports us and helps us rebuild our lives. I now have a chance to study and build a future here. But many refugees are still waiting for their chance. By sharing my story, I hope to show the challenges we face and the changes that are needed. Together, we can create a better system—one that listens, understands, and supports those who need it most.
After all, humanity brings us together.
Thank you for reading my story.
Mokti’s Journey: Courage in the Face of Manipulation
Mokti’s story is one of courage in the face of a highly manipulative system. At just 17, he found himself caught in a battle with UK authorities over something as fundamental as his identity. Age-disputed by the local authority and placed in adult accommodation, Mokti was forced to navigate a legal labyrinth, all while dealing with the trauma of displacement.
After months of fighting, he was offered an out-of-court settlement. The local authority would agreed to recognise Mokti's age, 18 at the time of the settlement, but crucially, they would refuse to provide the “leaving care” support he would have been entitled to had they treated him as a child when he was 17. This meant that even though the system had failed him by misclassifying his age, the local authority wanted to deny him the support he rightfully deserved. For Mokti, accepting the settlement would have meant giving up vital care and opportunities.
The risks of going to court were significant. If Mokti lost, he would have had to live the rest of his life with official documents stating he was seven years older than his actual age. The implications for his future would have been profound; a lifetime of being misrepresented by incorrect legal documents would have affected everything from his employment prospects to his ability to build a life. It was a heavy burden for any young person to bear.
But Mokti didn’t settle. He chose to fight in court—and he won.
This victory wasn’t just a legal one. It was a stand against a system that had tried to manipulate him into accepting less than he deserved. The local authority’s settlement offer was a form of coercion, designed to push Mokti into accepting a deal that benefited them more than it did him. It’s a tactic reminiscent of plea-bargaining, where innocent people agree to plead guilty because the risks of going to trial are too high. Like many who face these kinds of decisions, Mokti was asked to choose between security and justice—but he bravely chose justice.
The fact that Mokti had to face this choice at all speaks to how flawed the system can be. By offering him a settlement that acknowledged their failure but denied him care, the local authority exploited his vulnerability. It’s a manipulative and deeply unfair way to treat a young person—especially one who had already endured so much hardship as an unaccompanied child in a foreign country.
Mokti’s decision to stand up for himself and take his case to court is a testament to his resilience. It’s a powerful reminder that young people in the asylum system deserve more than quick fixes and compromises. They deserve full recognition of their rights, and they should never be put in a position where they are forced to choose between accepting injustice or risking their future.
At Refugee Youth Service, we are inspired by Mokti’s determination and courage. His victory is affirms why we continue to fight for the rights of unaccompanied children. These young people deserve care, dignity, and the chance to build their lives free from the fear of an unjust system. Mokti’s story shows that it’s possible to win—even when the odds seem stacked against you.
Introducing our newest Director, Abdulmonaim
We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Abdulmonaim to our Board of Directors! With his first-hand experience of the challenges young refugees face when arriving in the UK, Abdulmonaim will play a crucial role in guiding and informing RYS’ programs and activities from a governance perspective. His insights will ensure that young people's voices are represented at every level of the organisation.
Abdulmonaim is particularly passionate about helping young refugees access and succeed in education and enhancing their digital skills, and will be assisting RYS in reviewing what more it can do in these areas.
Learn more about our Board of Directors here!
We're now funded by the Heathrow Community Trust
We're delighted to announce that our No Children in Hotels Project has been awarded a grant by the Heathrow Community Trust's Projects for Young People grant programme! The grant will support and strengthen the project for the next eighteen-months, enabling us to reach more age-disputed children who are otherwise being forgotten about.
Keep an eye on our Latest News for regular updates on the project, and find Resources regarding the issue here.
From War Zones to Windowless Rooms: A Fresh Call for Change
We remain deeply troubled by the conditions in which asylum seekers, including age-disputed children, are forced to live when arriving in the UK. In some hotels they are placed in crowded windowless rooms for over a year. Many are left with only a single set of clothing; dehumanising treatment that strips them of their dignity and exacerbates their trauma. In fact, the space allocated to asylum seekers in Home Office hotels can be smaller than that given to prisoners. Yet these conditions were referred to as ‘luxurious’ by the recently exited government.
Moreover, asylum seekers are prohibited from working, apart in exceptional circumstances after their applications have been pending for over 12 months. This policy leaves them with no means to escape their dire situation, contributing to their despair and dependence on a support structure they come to resent and desperately wish to be released from.
We therefore continue to demand the closure of all asylum hotels. Asylum seekers should be housed in communities, where they can start the process of rebuilding their lives. Allowing them to work within a much shorter time frame is essential for their self-sufficiency and integration into society. Asylum seekers must be allowed to regain the dignity that comes from being part of, and contributing to, society.
It is time for the UK to uphold its values of compassion and justice. Treating asylum seekers with the respect and dignity they deserve is not just a moral obligation; it is a reflection of the society we aspire to be. At Refugee Youth Service, we call on the new UK government to implement immediate reforms to end the inhumane treatment of asylum seekers and the barriers that prevent them from building a better future.
Join us in advocating for these changes. Together, we can ensure that those seeking refuge find not just safety, but also hope and a chance to thrive.
The Power of Peer Support: A Guide to Promoting Peer-to-Peer Support Networks
Our sister organisation Velos Youth is proud to release it's report titled 'The Power of Peer Support: A Guide to Promoting Peer-to-Peer Support Networks'.
Velos Youth is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of professionals that provide holistic support and guidance to young people, however the change fostered in young people's lives is not possible without the aid of their wider support networks. Integral to these networks are the young people's peers. In spaces such as those provided by Velos Youth, peer support networks seem to emerge organically. Instances of young people benefiting from these are frequent, and their impact often profound. The key principle underpinning this impact is that individuals who have gone through similar experiences can offer valuable insights, empathy, and practical assistance to others facing similar challenges. Through a sense of solidarity, peer-to-peer support networks contribute to building resilience, and enhancing overall well-being and outcomes for young displaced people.
The aim of this guide is to offer a better understanding of how these networks develop, and why. What are the conditions necessary for young people's peer-to-peer support networks to develop and thrive? What are the motivations of those involved? And most importantly, what can organisations and community spaces such as Velos Youth do to promote and harness their potential. This document first lays out the theory and assumptions behind why peer-to-peer support networks develop, before presenting the findings of research conducted with seven young people who access Velos Youth's services and are engaged in peer-to-peer support. A number of case studies are then presented, before this guide concludes with a list of concrete recommendations for others looking to promote and stimulate peer-to-peer support within their unique contexts.
This document is not only for those working with young people who are displaced, but can be transferred to any community setting in which a specific population is facing a set of common challenges. The document was produced as part of the Bridge to the Future project, funded by the European Philanthropic Initiative for Migration. More information about the project can be found here.
Introducing our newest Director, Jessica Hosseiny
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Jessica Hosseiny to our Board of Directors! Jess brings extensive experience in community engagement, advocacy, and fundraising, which will be instrumental in advancing our support of unaccompanied and displaced children and young people in the UK.
Jess’s track record in promoting lived experience in her roles at large national NGOs such as Shelter made her application to join the board stand out. Her success in authentic storytelling and emphasising expertise by experience, is represented not least by her shortlisting for an Orwell Foundation prize. Jess will be instrumental in guiding our efforts to become an organisation led by lived experience.
Jess is also very politically active, something that is essential when working to combat the UK government’s Hostile Environment policies. Currently supporting a local independent parliamentary candidate in Somerset, Jess is using her skills to support someone who she really believes can help drive the changes so desperately needed in the political landscape.
Read Jess’s full bio and learn more about our Board of Directors here!
Anxiety, depression, insomnia, loss of appetite... the threat of being sent to Rwanda
At Refugee Youth Service, our mission is to support young asylum seekers as they navigate the complexities and uncertainties of seeking refuge. Through this, we witness firsthand the mental and emotional toll that these young people endure. The British government’s Rwanda scheme has naturally exacerbated this distress, casting a long shadow over their futures and well-being.
The scheme intends to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda, prior to their claims being made or processed. Having already faced unimaginable hardships and trauma in their journeys to seek safety, the threat of being uprooted once again, and sent to a foreign country far from the possibility of a stable future in the UK, is deeply destabilising.
For many young asylum seekers, the mere prospect of being sent to Rwanda triggers severe psychological distress, manifesting as chronic anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, and withdrawal from engagement with services and society as a whole. This stress is compounded by the lack of information and clarity about the likelihood of being affected by the scheme (a less than 1% chance by our calculations), leaving them in a state of perpetual limbo.
To make matters worse, when the age-disputed children we support ask us whether their age-dispute would prevent their removal, even temporarily whilst the dispute is ongoing, we tragically have to inform them that it will not.
We therefore welcome the prospective Labour government's promise to scrap the Rwanda scheme. This commitment offers a glimmer of hope for young asylum seekers who yearn for stability and the chance to heal and thrive. However, ending the Rwanda scheme is just the beginning, and we urge whoever takes power on the 5th of July to implement comprehensive reforms that ensure humane and dignified treatment for all asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. This includes providing appropriate accommodation, ensuring fair and timely asylum processes, and fostering an environment of support and inclusion.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of young refugees and asylum seekers. Their futures depend on it, and so does our collective humanity.
If you or someone you know need information about the asylum process in the UK, please visit https://righttoremain.org.uk/toolkit/.
The Significance of Age: More Than Just Rights and Entitlements
In the context of age-disputed children, where their age dictates their rights and entitlements, it's easy to overlook the profound significance of age as a core aspect of identity. For most of us, our age is not just a number; it's woven into the fabric of who we are, shaping our experiences, perceptions, and interactions with the world. This holds especially true for age-disputed children, whose journey to reclaim their true age is a reclaiming of their identity and sense of self.
Imagine for a moment being told that you're not the age you know yourself to be. Suddenly, you're not 28; you're 35. It's not just a matter of numbers, but a seismic shift in how you are now expected to perceive yourself and how others will perceive you. Your entire life narrative is altered, forcing you to present yourself as being in a vastly different stage of your life. You’ve now been denied the opportunity to authentically live your life.
For many young people, the right to live authentically is the driving force behind their attempts to challenge the age they have been given. Some young people go as far as rejecting the extra rights and entitlements their correct age gives them. For example young people who, upon finally being recognised as eighteen, reject the extra support they would receive as 'care leavers.' To them, the additional entitlements hold little value compared to the profound significance of living life as their true age. One young person supported by RYS, was willing to share their story:
"I've known my age for as long as I can remember. It used to be a simple fact, but they didn’t believe me. It wasn't just about being able to go to school, or being with other people my own age, – it was about being seen the same way as I see myself. Now they accepted me as eighteen, and they offer extra support. But now I don’t want it. All I want is to live my life independently as my real age, even if this means my life is made harder”.
Another young person simply told us “I just want my real date of birth to be recognised. It would make me happy. It’s my real birthday.”
Another said “It's important for me because no one can live at an age that isn’t for him and I see injustice in it”.
These testimonies highlight the deep-seated impact of age disputes on young people's sense of self and belonging, and their ability to trust. It's a reminder that our age is more than just a legal designation; it's a fundamental aspect of our identity that shapes how we navigate the world around us.
As we reflect on the significance of age, we ask those in positions of care and power not to overlook the profound link between age and identity, and not to perpetuate the narrative that asylum-seekers try to alter their ages to access what they are not otherwise entitled to. Let's instead strive to create a world where every individual is recognised to be who they truly are.