Advocate

[to uphold, to defend, to intercede for]

Together, we advocate for a reformed asylum system founded on justice, designed for the welfare of refugees and not for their harm.

"I advise others who are coming to JRS to 'go for it' as well, not just coming to get bus fares and food. It is good to do something for the community as a way to help yourself." - Souleyman, refugee and anti-detention campaigner

ADVOCACY AT JRS UK: the principles & values which underpin our advocacy

JRS UK advocates for the rights of refugees and for policies that protect refugees and allow them to flourish. Our advocacy starts by listening to refugees’ concerns and then working with them to find solutions.

Our advocacy involves:

Raising awareness of policy issues that shape refugees’ lives and experience. We conduct and publish policy research and contribute to public policy consultations and advocacy campaigns, working with other organisations, faith-based and secular, to bring about a more just world;
Trying to create space where people can encounter refugees as whole people with hopes and dreams, interests and gifts, just like any other; and seek to encourage authentic human relationships to grow;
Helping to transform the public conversation about refugees, exposing the real stories about their lives, including the hardships that they face in the UK, especially during the period they are seeking asylum. We believe it is vital that refugee’s own voices are at the heart of this conversation.

Refugees Call for Change

‘Refugees Call for Change’ is a group who come together to share their experiences and advocate for change in the asylum system, and the UK laws and policies that affect them. One of the group’s aims is for their voices to be heard so that others can have an idea about what is life like as an asylum seeker in the UK.

Learn More

Being Human – Advocating for a person-centred asylum system

JRS UK’s report seeks to envisage a just and person-centred asylum system by bringing refugee experience and policy analysis into conversation with Catholic Social Teaching, against the backdrop of new, deeply troubling government proposals for an overhaul of the asylum system.

Read the full report

Watch JRS UK’s ‘Being Human in the Asylum System’ event

Contact your MP

Write to your MP to voice your concerns over the government’s treatment of those who have been forcibly displaced. By contacting your MP you will take a step towards opposing the Illegal Migration Bill, and holding the government to account.

Contact your MP

Write to your MP about the Illegal Migration Bill

Advocacy guide for talking to your MP – April 2023

Asylum in the UK fact sheet – April 2023

Accompaniment in Action

Our monthly series of events takes a closer look at the various ways that JRS accompanies our refugee friends and they us. We speak to members of staff, volunteers and hear from our refugee friends. Accompaniment is very much the bedrock of all we do at JRS UK and we are excited to be able to share with you the way this impacts our various projects.

Catch up on previous events

Invite JRS UK to speak at your school, parish or event

If you are interested in finding out more about our work, and how you can help us work towards a more person-centred asylum system, we encourage you to invite JRS’s to speak to your community or parish.

Get in touch

Volunteer with us

JRS UK volunteers are integral to our work. Without our dedicated volunteers, we could not help those seeking asylum. There are many ways you could donate your time and help us accompany those who have been forcibly displaced.

Check out volunteering opportunities

Keep track of our latest advocacy work by following us on social media. Details of our twitter and facebook page can be found here: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn