Refugee Sanctuary Scotland provides community-based, temporary accommodation for people made destitute by the UK asylum system, including those with Appeal Rights Exhausted (ARE) status. We support people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) through two closely aligned programmes: Breathing Space and Fairway Scotland.
The Breathing Space Project offers safe, community-based temporary accommodation for destitute asylum seekers with NRPF for up to 18 months.
Through the Breathing Space Project, individuals are provided with:
- Fully furnished accommodation
- £60 per week to support essential living costs paid fortnightly
- Internet access
- A bus pass to support mobility and connection
- Access to a dedicated Refugee Sanctuary Scotland staff member for ongoing support and advocacy
Alongside accommodation, we offer holistic emotional and practical support, including access to legal advice, ensuring people are supported with dignity, stability, and care.
Individuals will also have access to a wide range of activities and opportunities delivered through our RSS Hub, which opened at the end of 2025. The hub provides a safe, welcoming space for connection, learning, wellbeing, and community-building.
Referrals:
Individuals cannot self-refer to the Breathing Space Project. At present, all referrals are accepted exclusively via the Scottish Refugee Council.
Breathing Space exists to offer exactly what its name suggests: safety, stability, and time to breathe.
We believe that no one in Scotland should face homelessness or destitution because of their immigration status. In 2025 alone, we supported 28 individuals across Breathing Space and Fairway Scotland — an increase from 23 people in the previous year — offering stability, dignity, and hope when it was needed most!