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Refugees, asylum seekers & modern slavery

People arriving in our churches seeking sanctuary have many different reasons for being there, and different stories to tell. We welcome them all and seek to show them God’s love.

Churches and chaplaincies across the Diocese of London are welcoming asylum seekers, migrants and refugees from all over the world: reaching out compassionately to “welcome the stranger”.

If you’re considering starting something in your church, or if you’re already doing something that you’d like to share, please do get in touch.
We love to visit churches and see what God is doing, listen, learn and advise.

Get in touch

Pattie Gercke

Lead - Refugee, Asylum Seeker & Modern Slavery

pattie.gercke@london.anglican.org 020 3837 5117 / 07551 544 814

I would like support around...

Supporting someone in my church through the asylum system

Hosting through our hosting scheme

Community Sponsorship

Support for other specific refugee and asylum groups

Support for recently recognised refugees

Responding to Modern Slavery

All our Trainings and Resources for those working with Refugees & Asylum Seekers, or responding to Modern Slavery

Recordings of Trainings & Conversations (scroll right for more)

Community Sponsorship - insights from a church community

This 3 minute film profiles a church community who share their experience of welcoming a family from Syria through Community Sponsorship. This has been an ecumenical partnership between the local Anglican and Roman Catholic churches.

A short introduction to Community Sponsorship

This stand-alone training provides an overview of Community Sponsorship, insights from a church community who share their experience of welcoming a family from Syria, plus an understanding of the support and resources available.

Photo of Dr Julia Tomas from The Passage.

Spotting the Signs of modern slavery in Foodbanks or Warm Spaces

Dr Julia Tomas, Anti-Slavery Coordinator at The Passage, outlines what modern slavery is, the links between modern slavery and homelessness, how we can help spot the signs and take action.

What is The Refugee Employability Programme (REP)?

This short stand- alone information session provides an overview of The Refugee Employability Programme (REP), the support and resources available for refugees, and next steps for a church community interested in exploring becoming a hub space for the REP.

Clergy hosting relaunch- interview between Fr Ben Kerridge and Pattie Gercke.

What is it like to host?

Fr Ben Kerridge, priest at Holy Innocents Church Haringey, and Clergy Host, talks to Pattie Gercke, from the Compassionate Communities team about his experience of hosting three asylum seeking guests over the last few years.

Photo of Eleanor Reardon from Housing Justice. at the Clergy Hosting relaunch 2021.

What is involved in becoming a host?

Eleanor Reardon, former Housing Justice Hosting Co-ordinator, talks to us about what is involved in becoming a ‘host’ under the Hosting with Housing Justice scheme.

Photo of Jenna Roberts from Housing Justice.

Information about the hosting scheme

Jenna Roberts, Housing Justice Hosting Manager, talks to us about the Hosting with Housing Justice scheme: it’s origins, how the scheme operates, and the benefits for both hosts and guests.

Catherine Gladwell, CEO of Refugee Education UK

How can we support young refugees through school?

An interview with Catherine Gladwell, Chief Executive of Refugee Education UK (REUK) on welcoming young refugees and asylum seekers to our churches and schools.

Pattie Gercke hosting Ukraine hosting webinar.

Homes for Ukraine Information Webinar

This one hour information session provides details of the "Homes for Ukraine" hosting scheme, including practicalities & things to consider if you are thinking of offering a spare room & learning from the experience of a member of clergy who has hosted refugees before.

If you have a specific query that isn’t covered, please contact us here

Refugee & asylum support, or modern slavery ministries in Diocese of London churches

Zoom in for more detail, or click on individual icons for more information.

If you know of a church offering refugee & asylum support, or responding to modern slavery that is not on this map,
please do get in touch and we’ll add it in.