Annual Report 2025
In 2025, Asylum Aid transformed the lives of survivors of trafficking, torture and persecution navigating extremely complex situations.
We reunited families separated by conflict, challenged unfair asylum refusals, and provided practical support at critical moments – ensuring long-term stability and safety for hundreds of vulnerable people.
We are delighted that our work received significant national recognition. We were finalists for the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards in the Not-For-Profit category, and our solicitor, Molly Nicolson, was finalist for Immigration and Asylum Lawyer of the Year. We were also proud to be awarded the rare ‘Excellence’ (Level 1) rating from the Legal Aid Agency following a peer review, and our annual Lexcel assessment highlighted that at Asylum Aid: ‘There is an exceptionally strong commitment to client service, underpinned by the policies and procedures and the high standards with which they are applied.’
But we know that many people seeking protection are left without high-quality support. Over 63% of people seeking asylum in this country cannot access legal aid due to long-term underfunding. We address this through our Compass Project, launched in 2023, to train and support immigration advisers in advice deserts across England and Wales, filling the legal aid gaps. We are also strengthening our impact through partnerships and by deepening the involvement of people with lived experience at all levels of our work.
While we are proud of what we have achieved, the need for Asylum Aid has never been greater.
2025 has been a year marked by increased hostility towards those seeking sanctuary and growing global instability. From violence outside hotels housing asylum seekers to the suspension of family reunion rights, people seeking protection find themselves in an increasingly difficult environment.
Despite these challenges, we are immensely proud of all that we achieved at Asylum Aid. We reunited families from Gaza; provided multilingual welfare benefits, housing and generalist advice to people from migrant backgrounds in Westminster; consolidated our training, supervising and shadowing programmes; and welcomed our second Justice First Fellow into our award-winning team. Asylum Aid remains committed to supporting the most marginalised and ensuring all those fleeing persecution can access protection.
We are incredibly grateful for your continued support.
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Illustrations credit: Berenice Termote