A County of Welcome

Imagine arriving in a strange city, speaking little or none of the language, with almost nothing but the clothes you are wearing – and finding yourself caught in a tangle of bureaucracy, fear, and uncertainty. It is a situation faced by hundreds of people every year in Oxfordshire, and for many, the first door that opens to them belongs to Asylum Welcome.

For thirty years, this remarkable Oxford-based charity has been standing beside refugees, asylum seekers, and vulnerable migrants. Its mission is simple but profound: to ensure that those seeking sanctuary are safe, welcomed, and able to lead dignified lives as part of our community.

From emergency support – food, phones, shelter, and warm clothing – to longer-term help with English classes, job seeking, education, and navigating the complexities of the asylum process, Asylum Welcome provides both the practical and the personal: the advice, empathy, and human connection that transform fear into hope.

The need has never been greater. Between March 2024 and March 2025, over 670 asylum seekers arrived in Oxfordshire, fleeing conflict and persecution in places such as Afghanistan, Iran, Eritrea, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Many are families. Some are LGBTQ+ people escaping violence or imprisonment. Others are political activists, journalists, or religious minorities whose only “crime” was to speak out or believe differently.

And yet, as the charity gently reminds us, there is nothing illegal about seeking asylum. It is a fundamental human right under the 1951 Refugee Convention – a right born from humanity’s darkest hours and one we all have a duty to defend.

Asylum Welcome also takes on the myths that persist around refugees. No, the UK does not receive “too many” – less than 1% of the world’s refugees come here, far fewer than many of our European neighbours. No, people do not come because it is “easy” – their stories are rarely ones of choice, but of survival. And no, they do not live in luxury: many are confined to temporary accommodation, unable to cook, unable to work, and living on less than £10 a week for all personal needs.

Their work resonates deeply with my theme for this shrieval year – Hearing the Young Unheard. Among those arriving in Oxfordshire are children and young people who have already seen and experienced more than most of us will in a lifetime. Their voices are often lost in the noise of political debate, yet they have hopes, dreams, and potential like any other young person in our county.

Organisations like Asylum Welcome ensure those voices are not silenced. They provide safety, belonging, and a sense of future – the first steps in turning fear into confidence, and isolation into community.

In a world that can sometimes feel divided, this small Oxford charity reminds us of who we are at our best – a county that listens, welcomes, and acts with compassion.

Asylum Welcome relies entirely on donations and partnerships with individuals, local businesses, and community groups. If you share their vision of a truly welcoming Oxford, you can learn more or offer support at www.asylum-welcome.org.

Together, we can make Oxfordshire a county of welcome – and ensure that no voice goes unheard.