About Us

Our Vision and Mission

Our vision is a world free from the threat and experience of destitution for refugees. We prevent destitution and homelessness among refugees in Scotland through crucial, timely, practical support. We call for positive system change and equal access to public funds for all refugees.

Our Values

Dignity, Collaboration, Impact, Compassion

Experts

We work with a broad network of specialist providers to offer maximum impact to the people we support. This includes legal advisors, case workers, community groups and more. We recognise the importance of partnerships and collaborations in offering comprehensive, effective support. This collaborative work also enables us to publish timely, evidenced research and push for positive system change.

Partnerships

We are also proud members of multi-sector partnerships and collectives fighting to end destitution and drive positive policy change in Scotland. As part of The Everyone Home Collective and Fair Way Scotland, we bring essential sector expertise to shaping and delivering the Scottish Government’s Ending Destitution Together strategy.

Our Theory Of Change

The Need
As people seeking asylum settle into a new community and begin to rebuild their lives, they often face barriers to accessing the support and resources they need to navigate the system.

We Provide
• A home, through Fair Way and Breathing Space, offering safe and long-term accommodation.
• Wellbeing Support, with a welcoming drop-in space where people can meet others and engage in group activities and classes.
• Access to the tools and support needed to navigate the system, offering financial support, bus passes, access to legal assistance and referrals to relevant services delivered by our partners.
• A platform to raise the voices of the seeking asylum, speaking at external events and collaborating with our key partners.

The Difference We Make

Immediately for people seeking asylum:
• Have a place to live in and call home
• They are able to meet new people and start feeling part of a community
• They feel less stressed
• Gain basic life skills
• Feel more secure
• Have access to additional income
• Have access to legal assistance 
• Can use public transport
• Learn basic English
• Are feeling heard

In the mid-to-long term for people seeking asylum:
• Gain greater independence
• Experience reduced isolation
• Feel greater self-esteem
• Have improved access to quality support
• Build stronger connections with others
• Experience improved confidence

The public is more aware of the real experience of those seeking asylum.
Positive change in public perception, policies and support change.
This will lead to a fairer asylum seeking process for those in need with improved wellbeing and more equipped to live the life they want!

Our Impact

People seeking asylum feel supported and more empowered during their asylum journey and beyond.

How Do We Do It: Our Strategic Priorities For The Next 2 Years

Our mission: To relieve destitution and promote wellbeing for people within the asylum system in Glasgow.
Our accommodation projects, FairWay and Breathing Space, will remain central to our work. We will also explore opportunities to open new accommodation in Scotland, extending our presence to another city where the need for support is particularly high – and where we can offer meaningful housing support.

Other Key Priorities
• Build a safe space for people seeking asylum.
• We acquired the Hub in November 2025, and we aim to make it a welcoming and supportive stop for people seeking asylum. A place of community, dignity, creativity, opportunity and empowerment for people seeing asylum and refugees.
• Continue to collaborate with partners in the migration sector in Scotland and across the UK. 
• We must continue to partner with others to reach better  outcomes of the people we serve.
• We will increase our presence on social media, creating a LinkedIn account, and by further developing our Instagram and Facebook presence.
• Our CEO will engage with media more often, to share the work of Refugee Sanctuary Scotland, his story, and to speak about destitution in the asylum system and other related challenges.

Fundraising

We are committed to raising funds in an open and honest way as per the law by following the Fundraising Code of Practice. We are additionally members of Scottish Fundraising to demonstrate our dedication to practicing ethical fundraising.