Building compassionate support for sanctuary seekers in Wales
For Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re looking at the power of community and building human connections for people experiencing the asylum system.
By Nabil Moghal
The Heart of Help report, commissioned by Platfform and conducted by the Welsh Refugee Council, offers a compelling roadmap to transform how support services in Wales engage with sanctuary seekers. Grounded in empathy, cultural awareness, and shared power, the report champions a trauma informed approach that prioritises human connection over statistics.
Sanctuary seekers face significant challenges, from long asylum processes and housing insecurity to social isolation and mental health struggles. Many describe feeling dehumanised and unheard in their interactions with support services. The report’s findings highlight that what sanctuary seekers need most is not just assistance, but authentic relationships rooted in compassion and respect.
Through focus groups and interviews, the research underscores the importance of consistent caseworkers, private and safe spaces, and culturally sensitive care. Participants valued providers who listened patiently, understood their trauma, and offered them autonomy when making decisions. Peer support led by those with lived experience also emerged as a crucial element for building trust and community resilience.
To address these needs, the report outlines immediate and long-term actions.
These include:
- Consistent case management to reduce re-traumatisation
- Reflective training for staff, co-designed with sanctuary seekers
- Improved language support and cultural mediation
- Structured peer networks to combat isolation and foster empowerment
And what about the long term goals? The report advocates for streamlined processes, safe opportunities for employment or volunteering, and embedding trauma-informed principles across all levels of service delivery and policy.
Ultimately, Heart of Help calls for a cultural shift in how we support those seeking refuge. It advocates for services that don’t just meet basic needs but nurture healing, resilience, and hope. By centring the voices of sanctuary seekers, Wales has the opportunity to set a national standard in trauma-informed care where every individual is seen, heard, and valued.