Being a young refugee or asylum seeker in the UK

In the UK, 40% of refugees and asylum seekers are under 18. Seeking asylum in another country is a universal human right…but it’s never straightforward. The Mix teams up with KRAN to help support those who are currently seeking refuge in another country, and to provide a glimpse into what life is like for thousands of young refugees and asylum seekers…

This article was written in collaboration with KRAN (Kent Refugee Action Network). KRAN is dedicated to supporting young refugees in the Kent, with a focus on assisting unaccompanied young people who arrive in the UK without guardians.

What is a refugee?

A refugee is a person who has been forced to flee their home country due to fear of persecution, war, violence, or human rights violations. This could be due to:

• Race
• Religion
• Nationality
• Sexual orientation
• Any and all of the above and many other reasons too.

Refugees feel that their life is at risk and therefore cannot return to their home country for their own safety, and the safety of their friends and family.

What is an asylum seeker?

An asylum seeker is also a person who has fled their home country due to persecution, conflict, or violence. They’ve applied for protection in another country to escape this conflict.

So what’s the difference between a refugee and an asylum seeker?

That’s a good question, and an important one too. The key difference is their legal status.

A refugee has already been granted permission to either remain in the country they travelled to, or they’re assigned to a different country where they can reside. Basically, it means they cannot be forced back to the country they fled from.

An asylum seeker does not have that legal status…yet. They’re currently waiting for a decision on their asylum application to become a refugee.

The wait for this decision can be a long and painful process, sometimes lasting years. So how do they cope? The Mix chatted to young refugees from KRAN to find out more…

What were your biggest concerns or uncertainties when you first arrived in the UK?

“Trying to find safety and not knowing anyone were my biggest concerns. It’s important to find your community when you’re in a different country. But when I did find my community they all spoke English, so I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t sleep and I was constantly thinking about my family – how were they doing? Are they safe? There was a lot of uncertainty when I arrived in the UK”

“The legal process was my biggest concern. I was interviewed 4-5 times and it was difficult to understand the laws when I arrived. I struggled to find the right support and I was all by myself. I had no friends and no qualifications, so I didn’t have a great deal of hope”

What have you learnt along the way?

“Question everything. If I receive a yes to my question – why yes? If I receive a no – why no? When people say no – ask why/why not? When people tell you that you can’t – I want to hear from the people who make the decisions. ‘You can’t bring your family here’ – I’m bringing my family away from war. If I don’t, they die. So I ask why/why not?”

“There are two types of people in this world – business people and humans. Find the humans”

What advice would you give to someone going through the asylum process?

“Keep working on yourself on doing what you can do. If you work on yourself, it doesn’t matter what decision the Home Office makes. Be original. Just keep doing you. Do it by yourself within a friendly environment. Continue your education. Learn a new language. Keep active. Keep healthy”

“The asylum process can take a long time for some people. People can lose hope. You often think: ‘What’s the point of learning a language? Learning new skills’. But if something negative happens, at least you’ve got those skills”

Are there any organizations, resources or advice that you found particularly helpful?

“KRAN. They have lots of activities for young people including football, drama and cricket. It’s a really friendly environment and I feel safe here. I volunteered and now I’m an ambassador”

“Research legal agencies and find a law centre – understand the process and the laws. KRAN has also been great at making me feel less alone. They host art workshops and provide translations”

What’s one piece of advice you can offer to young refugees and asylum seekers?

“If you can do this, you can do anything. Don’t give up. Never give up. We survive from our journey. Nothing will stop me from what I want to do. Nothing is harder than our journey”

“Don’t isolate yourself – find your community.”

Find out more about KRAN (Kent Refugee Action Network), click here.