Educational wellbeing

We know that many young refugees and asylum seekers are dealing with a huge amount alongside their education. Experiences of trauma, separation, uncertainty about immigration status, housing instability, and isolation can all make it harder to attend, focus on, and progress in education.

When trusted adults stand alongside young people, advocate for them, and help them build their resilience, it can make all the difference to whether education is possible.

At Refugee Education UK, all of our programme staff support young people with their wellbeing alongside their education. We work with young people to understand what is going on for them, help them navigate complex systems, and create a more stable foundation for learning.

“When I come to REUK, it is like my stress is lifted from me. Normally, when I am by myself it is too much and I feel tension all the time. Talking to you every week makes me feel better and less tension. When you tell me you are proud of me, I really think about it and it makes me happy. Really, last year I am not sure how I would have survived. It was you being with me and helping me that made it different.”
— Young person supported by REUK

Wellbeing support

Many of the young people we work with are living with the ongoing impact of trauma and loss. This can leave them stuck in “survival mode” and unable to fully engage in education.

Our staff:

  • offer regular one-to-one support alongside our education programmes;

  • provide emotionally attuned, trauma‑informed support that helps young people make sense of what they are experiencing;

  • work with young people to identify practical steps that will make education more possible and sustainable;

  • liaise with education providers and other professionals around the young person, where appropriate, and with consent.

We work closely with NHS and voluntary sector specialists, and our grassroots, education‑focused support is designed to complement rather than replace statutory mental health provision.

“I’m so pleased at the incredible progress Daryan has made and want to thank you hugely for your part in this. As well as his increase in activities, particularly college, I’ve been most struck by his enhanced capacity to manage and reflect on his emotions, and to remain calm in times of stress.”
— Professional working with a young person supported by REUK

Mental health and wellbeing challenges are often compounded by significant practical issues. Our teams support young people with challenges such as:

  • unstable or inappropriate housing;

  • protracted immigration processes and uncertainty;

  • risk of exploitation or abuse;

  • gaps in education and difficulties enrolling in suitable courses.

By addressing these barriers alongside emotional wellbeing, we help young people move from crisis towards a more stable situation in which education can be a realistic focus.

Addressing practical barriers

Alongside casework and one‑to‑one support, we help young people develop tools and strategies that support their wellbeing and learning, for example:

  • stress management techniques that are realistic and culturally appropriate;

  • sleep hygiene and routines that make it easier to study and attend education;

  • confidence-building around communicating needs and asking for help;

  • support to plan and pace their education in a way that is sustainable.

We also train staff and volunteers across our programmes to notice and respond well to signs of distress, so that wellbeing support is embedded wherever young people come into contact with REUK.

Building resilience and skills

Through this work, we aim to ensure that:

  • Young refugees and asylum seekers are able to access and stay in education.

  • Young people’s resilience and wellbeing improve over time.

  • Professionals around young people feel more confident supporting their educational wellbeing.

Outcomes

Referring a young person

If you are a professional and would like to discuss a potential referral for wellbeing support alongside education, please email wellbeing@reuk.org.

Please include:

  • a brief overview of your role and organisation;

  • the young person’s age, education stage and local area;

  • any key concerns about wellbeing or barriers to education.

A member of our team will get back to you to discuss whether REUK is the right service and, if so, what support might be possible.