Support for refugees and migrants in East Sussex

June 2023 marked the 25th annual Refugee Week, and the international World Refugee Day. East Sussex communities have a proud tradition of supporting all people in need, including migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees who arrive in the county. Here you can read more about the annual awareness campaigns, and about some of the ways local health and care partners are working together to support refugees and migrants in our county, including where to get support.

Refugee Week and Refugee Day

Refugee Week (19-25th June) is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Founded in 1998 in the UK and held every year around World Refugee Day on the 20 June, Refugee Week 2023 was its 25th anniversary.

World Refugee Day is an international event designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It was established in 2001 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. It acknowledges the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight, and to recognise their resilience in rebuilding their lives.

Support for refugees in East Sussex

Partners across the county work together to help local communities thrive and tackle some of the most difficult issues that impact on people’s happiness and wellbeing.

Collaborations to support refugees involve organisations such as the County Council, District and Borough Councils, local voluntary and community groups and the NHS. We aim to provide the right structures and services to create a warm and welcoming community for refugees, and we work together to offer expert support in areas such as housing, employment, and mental health.

Here are some ways local partners work together to support refugees in East Sussex.

Support to find a home

East Sussex County Council works closely with partners to try and secure accommodation and wraparound support for refugees. We understand the importance of having safe and suitable accommodation and the stability this provides when trying to settle in a new country.

The Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) is an innovative capital fund that supports local authorities in England to obtain housing for those who are unable to find settled accommodation on resettlement schemes. Local authorities across East Sussex are using this funding to purchase accommodation for both Ukrainian and Afghan refugees to provide secure accommodation across the County.

The Council has also supported many people through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.  As guests from Ukraine continue to arrive, more new hosts are needed, particularly for families. If you’re interested in becoming a host, you can get more information and find out how to register on the County Council’s website, email ukraine@eastsussex.gov.uk or phone 01273 337010.

Support into Work

Employment services, training providers, and local businesses have collaborated to help refugees access employment opportunities and develop skills necessary for the job market. This includes offering vocational training, job placement support, English language support and initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion within the local workforce.

The partners’ core aims include assisting refugees in East Sussex to get the right employment for them.  Support includes advice on benefits when working in the UK, job search support, mock interviews, and signposting to other support.

One client arrived from Ukraine last year, leaving behind an adult son and senior job. Through the Support into Work programme, partners worked closely with her to create her CV, a skills action plan and she worked hard to improve her English Language skills at college. This commitment has paid off and she has now started in a new role.

Emotional and mental wellbeing support

Mental health support for those fleeing conflict is essential as it’s a distressing and uncertain time, especially for children. Our aim is help them to make sense of their experiences, drawing on their resilience and strength to recover and start rebuilding their lives.

Information and advice on getting emotional support is available from the NHS: Emotional support for refugees: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The page explains common reactions to trauma and loss as well as guidance on how to manage these difficulties, and the types of treatments the NHS offers.

Under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, a pilot project has been funded to improve the mental health and emotional wellbeing of Ukrainian children aged 5-16. This uses an approach called social prescribing, which is a way to link individuals with non-medical support within their local community. All Ukrainian children currently living in the county are eligible to meet with a social prescriber who can support them with their mental health by helping them find and access positive activities of their choice. This is just one example of the many measures in place to support children and young people.

Support in the community

In East Sussex, local authorities actively engage with voluntary and community groups to provide additional support and integration opportunities for refugees. Councils work closely with voluntary and community groups who organise:

  • community events and hubs
  • language support
  • IT skills sessions
  • buddy programs to foster social connections and help refugees feel welcomed and supported

We would like to thank all the partners involved for helping to create a welcoming community for refugees through their long-term commitment and active involvement in grassroot activities. Especially the volunteers that take the time to build relationships, empathise, and support people during challenges, which contributes to a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.

If you are interested in learning more about the support provided by organisations in East Sussex, please visit:

Through local partnerships, we are working to create a coordinated support system for refugees. By combining the expertise and resources of various organisations and volunteers, we aim to provide refugees with the necessary tools and support to successfully integrate into their new communities and rebuild their lives.