Voices of Asylum Support in Scotland
Welcome to the voices on asylum support in Scotland podcast, where we explore some of the legal and social realities of the asylum support system. In other words, how does the asylum seeker who have made an asylum claim can be supported financially and with accommodation. This podcast aims to provide you with accurate information about asylum support and challenge some of the misinformation that has been put out in the public domain. We want to share with you the voices of people who have been or going through the asylum support system, in other words people who have lived experience of the topics we are discussing.
Episode 1
Voices Ambassadors from the British Red Cross and Law students from the GO Justice Centre, discuss some common misconceptions surrounding the asylum system and the people who are seeking safety within it. This episode walks us through a brief overview of the legal process of seeking asylum, and we hear about its many complexities from those with experience of navigating it.
Links
- GO Justice Centre: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/law/gojustice/
- BRC Voices Ambassadors: https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/how-we-support-refugees/voices-network
- The home office’s asylum support page: https://www.gov.uk/asylum-support
- Migrant Help: https://www.migranthelpuk.org/Pages/Category/asylum
- Right to Remain: https://righttoremain.org.uk
- (The right to remain toolkit: https://righttoremain.org.uk/toolkit/)
- Govan Community Project: https://govancommunityproject.org.uk
Sources of Mental health support
The Samaritans– free crisis helpline : 116 123
Childline – free crisis helpline for anyone in UK under 19 years old
Phone: 0800 1111
ReThink Mental Illness A Website that has a factsheet providing information of the mental health support Asylum and Refugee Seekers are entitled to with the NHS and a dropdown of Useful Contacts including support groups
Refugee Women Connect : A women-only charity set up to support women asylum-seekers, refugees and survivors of trafficking.
- Phone: 0151 305 1070
Episode 2
In this episode the Voices Ambassadors and law students discuss misconceptions surrounding the financial support available to those seeking safety. This episode summarises the financial support available and the legal process of applying for it, as well as the extra support pregnant women and parents are entitled to. We also hear about the reality and difficulty of living on this support from those with experience of claiming asylum.
Links
Home Office maternity and pregnancy grants under ‘Extra money for mothers and young children’ and ‘maternity payment’: https://www.gov.uk/asylum-support/what-youll-get
Further detail on how to apply here: https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice/asylum-seekers-financial-support-and-housing/#Additional_support_for_if_you_are_pregnant_or_have_a_child_under_3
Home office asylum support application: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-asylum-support-form-asf1
BRC: https://www.redcross.org.uk
SRC: Get Support - Scottish Refugee Council
Amma Birth companions: https://ammabirthcompanions.org
Asylum Support Appeals Project: https://www.asaproject.org
Sources of Mental health support
The Samaritans– free crisis helpline : 116 123
Childline – free crisis helpline for anyone in UK under 19 years old
Phone: 0800 1111
ReThink Mental Illness A Website that has a factsheet providing information of the mental health support Asylum and Refugee Seekers are entitled to with the NHS and a dropdown of Useful Contacts including support groups
Refugee Women Connect : A women-only charity set up to support women asylum-seekers, refugees and survivors of trafficking.
- Phone: 0151 305 1070
Episode 3
In this episode, the Voices Ambassadors and law students explore the accommodation available for those in the asylum process. From hotels and dispersal housing to larger accommodation sites, we discuss how the asylum accommodation system works, who is eligible, and the challenges many people face navigating it.
This episode also covers the UK’s “no choice” allocation policy, and what happens when someone moves on from asylum support after being granted refugee status or leave to remain. We also hear from the Voices Ambassadors share their firsthand accounts of the asylum support system and the impact the accommodation policies can have on people’s wellbeing and sense of stability.
Links
- GO Justice Centre: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/law/gojustice/
- BRC Voices Ambassadors: https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/how-we-support-refugees/voices-network
- Right to Remain toolkit: https://righttoremain.org.uk/toolkit/asylum-support/
- Home Office Allocation of Asylum Accommodation Policy https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asylum-accommodation-requests-policy/allocation-of-asylum-accommodation-policy-accessible
- BWO v SSHD [2026] EWHC 729 (Admin): https://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2026/729.html&query=%28human%29+AND+%28rights%29
- A summary of this case and its facts can be found here: https://www.lawcases.net/cases/r-sh-and-bwo-v-secretary-of-state-for-the-home-department-2026-ewhc-729-admin/
Sources of Mental health support
The Samaritans– free crisis helpline : 116 123
Childline – free crisis helpline for anyone in UK under 19 years old
Phone: 0800 1111
ReThink Mental Illness A Website that has a factsheet providing information of the mental health support Asylum and Refugee Seekers are entitled to with the NHS and a dropdown of Useful Contacts including support groups
Refugee Women Connect : A women-only charity set up to support women asylum-seekers, refugees and survivors of trafficking.
- Phone: 0151 305 1070