A Responsible Transition: Seconding Our Social Worker to Humans for Rights Network
As Refugee Youth Service prepares to close this summer, we have seconded our social worker to Humans for Rights Network. This reflects the approach we set out when announcing our closure: to wind down responsibly, make careful use of our remaining capacity, and do what we can to ensure continuity for young people beyond the life of RYS. At this stage, it would not be responsible for us to take on new cases directly, given the length and complexity of this work. The secondment allows that capacity to be used well, while ensuring that the cases taken on during this period will continue to be supported by Humans for Rights Network after our social worker’s contract with RYS ends.
A Season for Everything: Marking a Decade of RYS and Announcing Our Closure
This month, we proudly mark the 10th anniversary of Refugee Youth Service (RYS). As we reflect on this milestone, we also share an important decision: RYS will conclude its operations this summer, bringing ten years of work to a responsible and meaningful close.
RYS has never been about the organisation itself — it has always been about the thousands of unaccompanied young people on the move whom we have had the privilege to walk alongside. Their resilience, creativity, and determination have been the driving force behind RYS since the beginning.
From the creation of Baloo’s Youth Centre in the Calais 'Jungle', to building vital support systems in Greece and Italy, and ultimately focusing our efforts on the complex challenges facing young refugees in the UK, RYS has stood beside extraordinary young people seeking safety, stability, and a new beginning.
Supporting young people has demanded deep commitment — responding to complex individual needs while navigating an increasingly challenging social, financial, and political environment. Yet, despite these obstacles, and thanks to our dedicated team and wider community, we have provided safe spaces, accommodation, child protection, advocacy, education, and psychosocial support to thousands of young people. We have also trained hundreds of organisations in safeguarding and best practice for working with displaced children and young people.
We are immensely proud of all that has been achieved together.
Our gradual closure over the coming months will allow us to honour two core commitments:
1. Responsible Transition of Support
Our foremost priority is the young people we support. We are already working to ensure each one is transferred smoothly to trusted organisations. No young person will be left without support.
2. Lasting Legacy Creation
We will also invest our final chapter in transforming our website into a Knowledge and Learning Archive, ensuring that the expertise, tools, and lessons gained over the past decade continue to strengthen the sector long into the future.
A heartfelt thank you…
to our extraordinary staff and board members, past and present.
to the hundreds of volunteers who gave their time and skills.
to our generous donors and partners.
to the many organisations who stood alongside us.
And above all, to the young people — the courageous individuals who shared their stories, trusted us to walk beside them, and taught us the meaning of resilience, hope, and imagination.
A Moment for Fun and Games
In an increasingly hostile environment, we found a safe space to play. Six young people came together for our latest quarterly outing at Refugee Youth Service, this time we went bowling. Language barriers meant we couldn't rely on talking to each other, but who needs to talk when there's cheering on new friends and celebrating strikes.
In from the cold on a windy day, one young person arrived in only a t-shirt. Lane barriers up and bowling balls selected, now it was time for our first game. Fanta's all around and watching other people play for some tips and tricks. There was a little hesitation at first but after a couple of rounds there were big smiles, cheeky giggles, a pat on the back and a consolation sigh of just missing that last pin.\
Next we moved to the bright lights of the arcade games. An over-excited game of pool resulted in an accidental ball being flicked under the other machines, racing games were played, time-limited basketball was won, air hockey doubles and finishing up with selfies to share the joy. New friendships were formed. A hot meal together was then followed by a gift of a warm hat and gloves with some sweet treats.
For many unaccompanied minors there are lots of important adult decisions consistently, navigating complex legal processes and age assessments in inappropriate accommodation. A moment like this bowling trip to be able to play and have fun with people of a similar age, in a similar situation becomes a necessity to stay well. It is a truly bonding experience.
Which bowling ball? Air hockey or basketball? Burger or chicken strips?
These are the decisions young people should be facing.
Picnic, Games and a Trip to the Zoo at Brent Lodge Park
Our summer trip to Brent Lodge Park was a day full of smiles, sunshine, and connection. Both staff and young people came together to enjoy time outdoors, build friendships, and share in a fun, relaxed afternoon away from the usual routine. The day offered the perfect balance of play, laughter, and meaningful connection, a true reflection of what community looks like at Refugee Youth Service.
We started the afternoon with pizza and a few rounds of UNO, which quickly became a brilliant icebreaker. The young people relaxed, laughed, and engaged with one another straight away. It was heartwarming to see everyone joining in, some teaching others how to play, others cheering on new friends and the atmosphere quickly filled with energy and excitement.
After lunch, we visited the small zoo inside the park, which was a real highlight of the day. The young people explored the different animal enclosures with curiosity and enthusiasm, taking time to watch and talk about what they saw. The flamingos were the clear favourites, their bright colours and graceful movements captured everyone’s attention and sparked lots of laughter and photos.
Despite the language differences, with many young people not speaking English and only a few sharing the same first language, communication flowed effortlessly through smiles, gestures, and shared moments of fun. Watching them connect so naturally was a beautiful reminder that friendship doesn’t always need words.
By the time we finished exploring, the temperature had reached 30 degrees, so the group cooled down with some much-deserved ice cream in the shade. It was a simple but joyful way to end the visit. Everyone relaxed, chatted, and enjoyed each other’s company in the sunshine.
Another special part of the day was seeing staff and young people connect on a personal level. Outside of the usual setting, the atmosphere felt open and equal. The young people were able to see staff as more than just workers but as real people who enjoy laughing, playing games, and sharing experiences too. This created genuine trust and helped strengthen relationships in a natural, meaningful way.
Several young people shared their reflections on the day:
“I liked seeing the flamingos, they were funny!”
“Playing UNO with everyone was really fun, I liked making new friends.”
“Eating ice cream outside made the day feel really special.”
The day was full of laughter, teamwork, and positivity. Everyone, staff and young people alike, contributed to creating an atmosphere of inclusion and mutual respect. It was wonderful to see how such a simple day out could have such a powerful impact.
Reflection:
The Brent Lodge Park trip was more than just a fun day out, it was a meaningful opportunity for young people to build friendships, practice social skills, and feel part of a caring community. For many, it offered a sense of belonging and normalcy, as well as the joy of shared experiences. For staff, it was a chance to strengthen relationships and connect with young people in a genuine, human way.
✨ At Refugee Youth Service, we’re committed to creating safe, inclusive, and joyful experiences that help young people feel seen, supported, and connected. Days like this remind us that simple moments sharing food, laughing over a game of UNO, or watching flamingos in the sun can create lasting memories and build the strongest sense of community.
The Magic of Safe Spaces
There is a quiet magic that unfolds when young people feel safe; the gentle kind - the kind that builds trust, sparks laughter, and nurtures confidence. It’s in these safe spaces that growth happens. And in a small community kitchen in the heart of St Andrews Youth Club, that magic was alive.
Ten young people each with a unique story came together. They came from different countries, spoke three different languages, and had walked very different paths. What they shared were the invisible weights: the loneliness of arriving in a new country, the confusion and disbelief of having their ages disputed, and the ache of being away from family. They were unaccompanied asylum seekers, navigating the world alone, but determined to find connection, purpose, and joy.
This coming together was for Refugee Youth Service’s recent quarterly outing, and this time the heartbeat of the outing was a group cooking session. Each young person brought a recipe from home, creating a menu of dishes such as Afghan Pilau, Sudanese Shaya and Borani Banjan. Together, over the space of a few hours, they cooked memories, resilience and love into every bite.
There is something sacred about cooking with others. It builds community and it breaks down walls. From chopping to seasoning, from scrubbing pots to serving plates, every hand was involved. No professional chefs, just young people pouring everything they had into meals that reminded them of who they are, and of home. And when the food was served, it was more than delicious—it was healing. Every mouthful was met with smiles, laughter, and that rare feeling of fullness that goes beyond the stomach.
But the magic didn’t end at the table. After the dishes were cleared and the spices packed away, out came the games. FIFA 25 and Uno took over. The language barriers? They dissolved. You don’t need to speak the same tongue to laugh over a close match, to high-five a teammate, or to plot your next Uno reversal. And in those games, identities flourished and friendships were built.
For unaccompanied minors in the UK, the struggle is real and often overwhelming. Many face long waiting periods for legal status, limited access to education, racial discrimination, and the psychological toll of trauma and separation. They are often placed in housing far from other young people, with few resources to support their emotional or social development.
That’s why spaces like these—safe, inclusive, joyful spaces—are not optional. They are essential.
A kitchen becomes more than a place to cook; it becomes a place to heal, to connect, to remember. A game of pool becomes more than entertainment; it becomes a way to build trust, to express identity, and to create community.
Safe spaces are where the magic happens. Not the wand-waving, fairy tale kind—but the kind that brings young people back to life. So here’s to Afghan Pilau, to Sudanese tea, to Uno and FIFA. Here’s to every young person who stepped into that kitchen and enjoyed not only a meal, but a moment of home.
And as we mark Refugee Week, it’s the perfect time to highlight and celebrate the power of these safe spaces. In a world that too often views refugees through the lens of hardship alone, the magic experienced in these spaces remind us of their resilience, creativity, and the simple, beautiful act of coming together.
A special shout out and heartfelt Thank You to St Andrew’s Youth Club for hosting us and welcoming us into their wonderful community space.
Going after Article 8: The Consequences of the White Paper on Displaced and Unaccompanied Children
In May, the Government published a white paper titled 'Restoring control over the immigration system' which set out the intention to reduce net migration with the aim of decreasing dependency on public services and increasing investment into domestic skills and training. The Government plans to achieve this through a number of reforms which will substantially increase the thresholds a person must meet to emigrate to the UK. Amongst these proposals are increasing the minimum education levels of skilled workers, increasing English language requirements, and hastening the deportation of immigrants who have committed crimes.
Although a few parts of the White Paper appear to be promising for displaced children, such as ensuring children in care with unsettled immigration status are offered regularised status by the age of 18, there are proposals which will have a significant negative impact on unaccompanied young refugees and migrants. The main concern is the increased barriers to family reunification, shown through the intention to restrict the application of Article 8 of the Human Rights Act.
Article 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998 contains the right to respect for private and family life and for many refugees it offers the only possible route for reuniting with their family. This is because other immigration routes set out a high criteria to be met or have strict definitions on who qualifies as a family member. Instead, under Article 8, applicants may argue that they have exceptional circumstances, meaning that the Home Office's refusal would lead to unjustifiably harsh consequences for the family member staying in the UK, and thus be a breach of their rights.
Since Article 8 is a qualified right, the courts must balance the public interest against the individual's rights, in order to determine whether exceptional circumstances do exist in the applicant's case, and subsequently whether a breach has occurred. The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 states that public interest includes maintaining effective immigration controls and preventing a burden on the taxpayer.
In the White Paper, the Government announced that 'an overly high proportion of family-related immigration cases are now decided on the basis that they are “exceptional” to the normal rules'. They plan to combat this through limiting the discretion courts have when balancing the right to family life and the public’s interest against granting leave to enter or to remain. Instead, under the new proposals, the courts are to give greater consideration to the public interest element and the legislative criteria laid out by Parliament.
Through these reforms, the Government aims to tighten immigration controls, framing family migration and reunion as key drivers of rising net migration and as loopholes that allow individuals to ‘get round the rules’. However, placing further restrictions on the right to family and private life could block many lone children from reuniting with their families. This would deny children the emotional stability and practical support that family provides, and seriously affect their mental health, well-being, and development, particularly after experiencing trauma in their home countries and during their journeys to the UK. Isolated and burdened with the responsibility of caring for themselves, many live in fear for their loved ones’ safety, with little opportunity to feel secure or begin to heal.
Without the presence of a trusted adult to provide consistent care, cultural continuity, and advocacy, integration becomes significantly more difficult. Family members often play a critical role in helping children access education, navigate unfamiliar systems, learn the language, and develop a sense of belonging. In their absence, children are more likely to experience social exclusion, educational disruption, and long-term instability. These barriers not only undermine children’s individual potential but also contradict the Government’s stated commitment to promoting integration and safeguarding vulnerable young people.
Overall, the White Paper poses a substantial threat to displaced and unaccompanied children. Its proposals will effectively result in further isolation from their family whilst increasing the difficulty of integrating into the community around them. Consequently, children are likely to remain in limbo for longer, causing further unnecessary suffering and trauma.
Update: Leadership Transition at RYS
We’re pleased to share an update on the leadership of Refugee Youth Service. From June, Jess - who joined us as Co-CEO in December - will become our new CEO. After nearly ten years leading the organisation, our co-founding CEO, Jonny, will be stepping away from day-to-day operations and moving into a ‘Founder’ role, where he will continue to support RYS on a flexible, behind-the-scenes basis.
This transition reflects how RYS has evolved. Once a rapid-response organisation operating across international contexts, RYS is now a UK-focused non-profit delivering longer-term projects with a need for a clearer strategy and a focus on sustainable growth. As the organisation changes, so too must its leadership.
Jess brings expert experience, new ideas, and a fresh perspective on the future of RYS. Her leadership reflects where we’re headed: building on strong foundations while evolving to meet the current needs of the young people we support.
We’re grateful to Jonny for the role he’s played in building and sustaining RYS, and we look forward to continuing to work with him in his new capacity.
Reconnection and Resilience: Creating Moments that Matter
Micheal and Joseph's journeys to the UK were filled with uncertainty, fear, and an unbreakable will to survive. Both just 16 years old, they left behind their homes in Sudan in 2021 and 2022 respectively, determined to find safety. They both embarked on dangerous journeys, crossing borders and treacherous waters, not knowing where they would eventually settle.
Micheal has now been in the UK for two years, navigating life in Reading. Despite the ongoing dispute over his age, he has built a community and found strength in those around him. Joseph, on the other hand, has been in the UK for just one year, living in the quieter and more isolated town of Maidenhead. With no one around him and no access to education, Joseph struggles with frustration and loneliness. Both boys are being supported by the same caseworker at Refugee Youth Service (RYS), who provides guidance and is supporting them to develop a sense of belonging.
To help lift Joseph’s spirits, RYS invited him to a special outing—an end-of-year bowling trip in London. The event aimed to bring young people together, offering them a chance to embrace their youth and experience the festive spirit that is so cherished in the UK. Since neither Micheal nor Joseph could travel alone, RYS team members accompanied them from their hotels to London, where they would meet other young people for a day of fun and connection.
At first, it was just another group outing - something to break up the long, quiet days and bring a bit of lightness to Joseph’s new life in the UK. He was quiet on the way there, watching the world go by through the train window, carrying the usual weight of homesickness that never seemed to lift.
But then, halfway through the day, something shifted. Joseph kept glancing at one of the other boys, Micheal. There was something familiar about him. The feeling tugged at Joseph’s memory, until suddenly it clicked.
“I know you,” Joseph said quietly, eyes wide. “You’re from my village. In Sudan.”
Micheal blinked, and then recognition dawned. “Joseph?”
In an instant, the years melted away. They had been childhood friends, before everything changed. Now, here they were, reunited in the most unexpected place.
The rest of the day was pure joy. They bowled, ate together, laughed at old jokes only they understood, and shared stories of the people and places they missed. For Joseph, it was more than just fun — it was healing. He wasn’t alone anymore.
Time spent together did not end with the bowling trip. Micheal and Joseph have stayed in touch, checking in on each other and providing the support that only those who have shared the same struggles can truly understand. As the New Year approached, they reunited once again, celebrating together by watching the fireworks in central London and meeting new friends.
Their story is a testament to the power of connection - how a single moment of reconnection can reignite hope and remind us that even in the darkest times, we are never truly alone.
Standing Together for Children's Rights: Thank You to The Rayne Foundation
We are excited to announce new support from The Rayne Foundation for our No Children in Hotels Project. The Rayne Foundation is a charitable trust dedicated to addressing entrenched social issues through innovative and collaborative approaches. They focus on areas such as arts, health and wellbeing, education, and social issues, aiming to bring about meaningful change in society.
Their mission is to understand and engage with the needs of UK society and to fund and support work that brings about lasting change. They believe in the power of collaboration and innovation to tackle complex social issues, and they strive to build bridges between different sectors and communities.
With the support of organisations like The Rayne Foundation, we can continue our vital work advocating for children's rights and ensuring that no child is placed in unsuitable accommodation. Their commitment to social change aligns with our mission, and together, we can work towards a future where every child has a safe and stable home.
A Farewell from our Chair
From Calais to Whitechapel, finding the Penguins in the Chaos...
Today marks the end of a six-year journey I’ve made with Refugee Youth Service (RYS), as I step down as Chair of the board, and I’ve been sitting with all the emotions that brings.
It began in Christmas 2018, when I travelled to Calais for the first time. I brought a bag of LEGO with me, thinking I might be able to offer a few sessions or spaces for children and young people to play. What unfolded that week was far more profound than I could have imagined.
One of my most vivid memories from that time was a young person, aged 16, who loved penguins. He saw the penguin in my kit and his face lit up. He unzipped his coat and showed us his jumper also had penguins on it. He had been given to him by another refugee who had been given it at a distribution, and so he named the penguin after himself. I don't know why this is the moment that has stuck with me all these years, the strangest moment of discombobulation in the total chaos of Calais. That penguin still sits on my desk.
These moments of juxtaposition have become the staple in this work, joy and despair, hope and devastation, the letters from the Home Office next to a lone birthday card.
Soon after, I joined RYS as a Director alongside Jonny. Over the next six years, we worked to shift the organisation’s focus from Calais back to the UK to do the work that needed to happen right here, quite literally on our doorstep.
I could not be prouder of the work RYS has done in the last 10 years since it was founded, and 6 years I have had the privilege to be a part of that.
None of that would have been possible without the team of volunteers and staff who have gone into the camps in Calais, through to the ones today who go into hotels from Whitechapel to Reading to Gatwick.
The incredible Jess who has joined us as co-CEO and our wonderful board who have led RYS and will continue to do so as RYS moves forward.
And Jonny, who trusted me to stand next to him through the hardest and most joyous moments of the last 6 years. He is the co-founder and heart of RYS, and he has committed his life to this work and to these young people from day 1. RYS would not be what or where it is without you, I am inspired by him everyday and proud to call him a friend and a colleague.
Finally I am grateful to the young people, who still found hope and humanity in the most dire of situations, who found the penguins in the chaos and the bravery to trust a team of strangers with a football.