We know people who have experienced persecution, fled their countries, and faced the challenges and uncertainty of the asylum system and resettlement in the UK understand what others are going through. And they know what helps.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nPeer support builds on shared experience, language, nationality, ethnicity, culture, gender, locality or issue.\u00a0 <\/span>Uniquely it gives space for isolated, disorientated, traumatised and highly stressed people to re-group, remember who they are, feel safe, and empower themselves.<\/p>\n<\/div>![](\"https:\/\/www.refugeevoices.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/img15-1.jpg\" "\\"img15\\"")
<\/span><\/div>Peer support groups<\/p>\n
\n- help individuals create valuable social bonds with others like them\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- broker links to other local communities\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- help a marginalised community develop a wider network of support and influence<\/li>\n
- play an active role in promoting settlement and integration.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Setting up and running a co-community group also re-builds lost confidence and empowers those stepping forward to take a lead in civil society. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cMost of the people who are activists were activists in some form or way in their home country. That is what I\u2019ve seen. But I\u2019ve also seen some people who came into the UK young, came with their parents, and they turn activist because they felt a moral duty to do something to help their community <\/em>(Herbert, our Community Support Project Manager)<\/p>\n\u201cThere is an African proverb that says assisting and giving brings more joy than receiving\u201d. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>Our Programmes<\/h2>\n<\/div>