Introduction

East Sussex communities have a proud tradition of supporting all people in need, including migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees who arrive in the county.

We recognise that people who settle here from another country contribute hugely to the economy, vitality and culture of our county.

We have a legal duty to protect anyone in the county at risk of harm (whether they are here permanently or not). We must also arrange education for any child living here.

Here you can find out what support you can get and how to access it.

Read about our duty of care.

Support for all migrants

Safeguarding

We have a responsibility to protect vulnerable adults and children.

All groups are entitled to this support. If you have any concerns about the safety of any adult or child in East Sussex, please report it to us:

Sussex Police monitor any community concerns and work to protect everyone in the county. Call 999 if someone is at immediate risk, or make a report online at Sussex Police.

All groups can request a social care assessment to see if they are entitled to support:

Employment

This is for all groups except asylum seekers.

If you have skills or experience in certain trades, employers in East Sussex welcome applications from migrants.

For example police, fire service and care work. If you need more information or support there are various groups you can contact:

Healthcare and schools

You can register for a GP without ID or proof of address. Your GP can also help with mental health support.

All children under 16 are entitled to education:

More help and support

Support for different migrant groups

Each group of migrants may have different support available, through us or other services.

See what resources are available for your group:

Asylum seekers

If you have fled your country due to fear of persecution and are seeking protection here. You have applied for refugee status but are awaiting a decision.

Support available

Contact the Home Office through the Asylum Central Communication Hub (ACCH)

You and your representatives can contact the Home Office directly on a number of topics. It also has email templates to help you make the query correctly.

Housing and welfare checks

Clearsprings are the Home Office contractor to provide housing and welfare checks for asylum seekers. You should know who your contact is but if not please speak to Migrant Help:

Mental health and wellbeing

Vandu in East Sussex provides a range of mental health services,  focusing on informal support for ethnic minorities, aimed at preventing the development of mental health issues.

Community support

Resettled groups

If you have entered the UK under a resettlement scheme, you are part of this group. It includes:

  • Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP)
  • Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS)
  • UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS)

Support available

Initial settlement support

ARAP and ACRS get support with housing for 3 years. UKRS get 5 years of support.

This is provided through your local district or borough:

Community support

If support is needed after 3 years, or 5 years for UKRS, you can access services through your local:

Refugees

You are a refugee if you have been granted protection in the UK after proving a well-founded fear of persecution in your home country

Support available

Benefits and employment

Finding family and reunions

Other migrant groups

There are many other groups of migrants, such as:

  • skilled worker visa holders
  • no recourse to public funds (NRPF)
  • visitor visa holders
  • spousal visa holders

We can only offer limited support to these other groups.

Central government have migration and visa information:

If you need to speak to someone about your care needs, please get in touch with HSCC.

Or you can seek legal advice.

Community hubs

Eastbourne

Sanctuary

A community that connects you to people and information when you need it. A community that gathers together sharing in the highs and lows over a cup of tea, games or artwork.

Hastings and St Leonards

Hastings Community of Sanctuary

We work to raise awareness of the issues facing refugees and people seeking asylum, run collections for essential items and raise funds to support local projects.

The Links Project

Their free drop-in sessions provide advice and support on housing, healthcare, and legal issues to asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. They work closely with local services to ensure tailored support.

Hastings, Rother and Wealden

Refugee Buddy Project

This programme pairs refugees and migrants with local “buddies” to offer emotional, practical, and financial support. This personalised approach helps with integration and navigating challenges in a new community.

Lewes district

Lewes Organisation in Support of Refugees and Asylum Seekers (LOSRAS)

Supporting the cause of people seeking sanctuary through raising awareness, campaigning and responding to local need.  LOSRAS connects individuals with essential resources and services while fostering community inclusion.

Legal guidance

Immigration

Find a local immigration adviser using the GOV.UK tool:

You can also use the tool to complain about your adviser.

Learning English

East Sussex college run courses in Hastings and Eastbourne:

Our library service run weekly sessions with trained volunteers:

The BBC has some good online modules, from easy up to hard:

Have your say and contact us

If you are a migrant in East Sussex, we would love to hear from you.

We value your input so that we can improve the support and communication we offer.

Please contact us if you have:

  • feedback or general comments
  • suggestions or questions
  • stories or personal experiences

by email: migrant.support@eastusussex.gov.uk