Young Roots has a 20-year track record, providing impactful support, advice, advocacy and youth development activities for young refugees and asylum seekers (aged 11-25yrs) in our hubs and clubs across London.
Young Roots is delighted to receive the very generous donation of £7,500 from the Pixel Fund. This will help us provide a range of engaging activities for children and young people in Brent and Croydon who have lived experience of the asylum system.
Each month 159 Young people access our venues. Many arrive in the UK alone, having fled war and persecution before being placed in foster care or temporary hotel accommodation that often limits opportunities for sustained integration into the areas where they are located, while increasing the likelihood of social isolation.
Some contact us when they are street homeless, subject to destitution. Most weeks we encounter a young person demonstrating suicidal ideation and self-harm.
Our Youth workers co-create activities with young people, including sport, music, cooking, arts, self-development, English classes, trips and residentials. These activities help develop friendships, a sense of purpose and a place of safety, building each young person’s trust and confidence to engage with our Caseworkers.
Our Caseworkers offer advice and advocacy on navigating the asylum process, they also address practical needs - opening bank accounts, accessing benefits, finding a GP, accommodation, education, training, or employment. They work
alongside our Youth Workers to facilitate access to counselling, trauma-focused therapy and workshops focused on mental health operating out of our hubs.
Our trauma-informed service builds crucial trust so that we can ensure that the young people we work with are not navigating life in the UK alone and unrepresented. We operate alongside young people as they work with to improve their wellbeing and fulfil their potential.
“Biggest change is the support, I think getting appointments to see a GP, a solicitor and someone to speak to when I have questions, this has been the biggest of change to my life.” Young person supported by Young Roots
We would like to say a huge thank you to the Pixel Fund for choosing to support our efforts to improve the wellbeing of the young people who access our services.