Stories
Courage to dream: creating art together for Refugee Week 2026
To mark Refugee Week 2026 and the 75th anniversary of the UN Refugee Convention, we invited our community to reflect…
Read more →For 21 years, Voices in Exile has offered a space where people feel safe, supported, and heard - with your help, we can continue to be there.
We can help
Are you an asylum seeker, refugee, or someone with no recourse to public funds? Find out how we can support you.
Our impact in 2025
Real support, real difference
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people supported across Brighton & Sussex
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supported with immigration matters
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supported through advice & casework
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distributed from our hardship fund
Who we are
Support today, and a fairer society for tomorrow
Voices in Exile provides free, specialist immigration advice (up to IAA Level 2) and holistic support to refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants at risk. We help people secure their status, access essential services, and move towards safety, stability, and independence.
Alongside this, we create welcoming community spaces that reduce isolation, improve wellbeing, and help people rebuild their lives.
Together with our partners, supporters, and community, we are working to build a fairer, more inclusive society.
Learn More
Supporting people across Brighton & Sussex for 20 years
News & stories
Latest updates
Stories
Meet Betty: from volunteer to supporting families as a caseworker
In this post, one of our Resettlement Caseworkers, Betty, shares how volunteering shaped her journey, what she has learned along…
Read more →Stories
Meet Godwin: Finding hope and support in Brighton
When Godwin arrived in Brighton, he was facing an uncertain future. In this blog, he shares his journey of rebuilding…
Read more →What we provide
Our services
We apply a holistic and compassionate approach, tailored to the needs of each client.
Immigration advice & casework
Specialist immigration advice up to IAA Level 2 for applications outside of the scope of legal aid.
ESOL & welcome groups
Three weekly groups to help people find their way around the city and its services, practise English, find community and improve wellbeing..
Food bank
A weekly, culturally informed food bank and drop-in providing information, welcome and short-term support for destitute clients across Brighton & Hove.
Generalist advice and casework
Welfare benefits, housing and homelessness, asylum support, children’s and adult community care, and digital inclusion.
Refugee resettlement programmes
Wraparound support for families resettled in Brighton & Hove under the UK and Afghan resettlement schemes.
Self-help & information
Resources
Comprehensive information on local services and support, plus tools to guide you through the immigration process.
Information directory
An online directory of local services — housing, wellbeing, food, support groups and education.
English lessons (ESOL)
Understand what ESOL is, where you can attend courses, and how to apply.
Immigration toolkit
A bespoke toolkit with evidence guides and the forms needed for various applications.
Setting the record straight
Myth vs fact
Some of the most common misconceptions about refugees, asylum seekers and migrants - and the reality.
Myth“What do migrants actually bring to the UK?”
- Our NHS relies on them – nearly 1 in 5 NHS workers are from overseas
- Entrepreneurship and economy – migrants are twice as likely to start businesses, and if promptly given employment and English-language support would add £1.2 billion to the economy in just 5 years
- Cultural richness in food, music, sport, and community life
- Demographic balance – as the UK population ages, we need young workers to keep the economy moving
Myth“We’re a small country - we can’t take everyone.”
- 72% of refugees stay in neighbouring countries
- The UK hosts about 1% of the world’s refugees
- Per population, we rank 20th in Europe for asylum applications. We take far fewer people than most comparable nations
Myth“I feel like they get housing and support before British people.”
- Only 2% of social housing goes to refugees
- Refugees are not automatically prioritised for housing need, and are assessed under the same criteria as British nationals
- The housing crisis affects everyone and is caused by decades of underinvestment – we need government investment in social housing, an end to the for-profit system, and good quality housing for all people in need
Real stories
The difference your support makes
Volunteer · in the UK since 1992
Finding confidence and purposeVolunteering with our Participation & Engagement team
Their story
"Now I feel proud to be part of the team."
A friend told Houda about Voices in Exile when she was looking for a volunteering opportunity. When she first started she was feeling lonely and low – but being part of the team quickly began to change that.
Her English became more fluent and her confidence grew, and Sue, our participation and engagement officer, helped her enrol on an interpreting course. Today Houda has a healthy routine, friendly colleagues, and feels productive and valued both at home and in her community.
“Volunteering has helped me feel happy, valued and important at my age. I'm proud to be part of the team.”
“Brighton was completely new to me and my family. ViE always supported us in every aspect; these interventions helped us feel more settled and increased our integration into society.”— Recent service user
With thanks to
Our supporters
