We believe that no one should be left destitute – without a roof over their head, basic essentials, or hope for the future. This includes people seeking safety in the UK: asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants.

We support individuals on the very outside of society, living hand-to-mouth, with few belongings and even less support. Working in partnership with homelessness support schemes, we provide funding to help prevent destitution and offer a much-needed lifeline to those who have few places to turn.

What does it mean to have the status of NRPF (no recourse to public funds)?

These are people who are not eligible for most benefits, housing support, or mainstream financial help – often because they are still waiting for a decision on their asylum or immigration status.

Some arrive with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Many stay with generous hosts, who share what they can, but there is little support available beyond the basic £49.18 a week from the government – barely enough to cover basic living expenses.

On top of that, those seeking asylum are not permitted to work until their case is resolved. The process can take anywhere between one and three years, according to the Refugee Council.

During that time, they live in limbo: they often can’t meet their most basic needs, can’t earn, can’t move to more suitable accommodation, and can’t make connections or take part in things they enjoy – things that help them start to feel human again.

These are people fleeing war, persecution, terror and extreme poverty. Some have lost family members, homes, and livelihoods. They are seeking safety – not luxury.

Asylum seekers, refugees, immigrants and migrants: what’s the difference?

Many people understandably find the different terms used to describe people who move to the UK confusing. Are they all the same? What support are they entitled to?

Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Asylum seekers are people who have fled their home country and are asking another country (such as the UK) for protection. They are waiting for a decision.
• Refugees are asylum seekers whose claim for protection has been accepted.
• Migrants is a broad term for anyone moving from one country to another, for any reason—this includes students, workers, or people reuniting with family.
• Immigrants refers to people who come to live permanently in another country.

Only some of these groups are entitled to government support, and those with no recourse to public funds face the greatest risk of homelessness and destitution.

For more details, the International Rescue Committee provides a helpful guide to understanding the differences between these terms.

Our response: small grants, big impact

At Church Homeless Charity, we provide life-changing grants to people most in need. For those with NRPF, this might mean help with essentials like clothes, toiletries, phone credit or travel costs to attend important legal or medical appointments.

Often, people rely entirely on food banks for every meal. A small amount of money to buy familiar food from their home country can lift their mood, boost motivation, and remind them that someone cares.

We also support people when they’re offered a place to live. Often the accommodation offered is totally empty, without kitchen items, white goods, or even carpets.

These grants offer a lifeline – helping people find stability, build a future and regain a sense of control and worth.

Real people: finding refuge

Immigration is often a divisive topic that can stir up strong emotions. For some, it can feel as though many strangers are arriving in the UK to take advantage of the benefits system. But, from our experience, this perception is far from the truth.

We regularly see that most people simply want the chance to live freely, rebuild a sense of normality, and reclaim the life they had before they had to flee their home country. Sadly, for many, that life is still out of reach.

The process of seeking settled status is long, complex, and uncertain.

It can take years, and there is no guarantee of a positive outcome. During this time – stuck in limbo and often living in unsuitable accommodation – people’s mental health suffers. The experience can be profoundly dehumanising.

We know this because we read the grant applications that come through to us every day. Behind every request is a story of survival, struggle, and hope.

We’d like to share some of those stories here to help show the reality of life for people seeking safety in the UK.

‘G had a long spell of staying in night shelters until he entered into a hosting project in 2021, and has been living with various hosts since then. This funding will help G to maintain some independence and dignity, as this is the only money he receives regularly. The fund allows guests some independence and dignity to be able to cook for themselves, travel, and buy items that are essential to them as needed while living with a host.’

‘D is a victim of domestic violence and a mother of two children. Her husband had planned to send her back to her home country and keep the children with him. We are currently supporting her, but she is in a very vulnerable situation – homeless and in urgent financial need. At this stage, she has no recourse to public funds and is not eligible for benefits. Due to rent arrears, her landlord threatened her, and she felt unsafe remaining at the property. As a result, she has left and is currently staying with a friend temporarily while we work to find a more stable solution.’

‘I am an asylum seeker with no recourse to public funds, who is not being supported by the government. I was rough sleeping for several months before getting support from a homelessness scheme. I have now found a room to stay with a friend, however, it is unfurnished and I have no income or benefits, and therefore no ability to furnish it. I would greatly benefit from a grant to pay for the upfront costs of moving to a new home.’

Why this matters: standing together in compassion

Christianity teaches us that we are all one in Christ, and that we must be compassionate to one another. Many of the people we support had no choice but to flee danger and seek safety.

It is only by chance of birth that this is not our own situation – or that of our friends or family.

We believe in supporting people from all walks of life. Everyone needs a safe place to lay their head, and the chance to rebuild.

We are proud to walk alongside our partners and offer hope to those seeking a better life in the UK.

You can help

Your support enables us to provide grants to those most in need – including asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants. Together, we can make a big impact through small acts of kindness.

Please consider donating today to help someone take their next step toward safety, stability and a brighter future.