Asylum Seeker and Refugee Wellbeing Conference
Today we had the privilege of spending the day at the Asylum Seeker and Refugee Wellbeing Conference at the University of the West of England in Bristol, and it has been a genuinely nourishing space to be part of.
What stood out most was the care with which the day was held. The conference brought together people working on the ground alongside academics who are deeply committed to ensuring research translates into meaningful, real-world support. There were honest and necessary conversations about the realities faced by people seeking asylum, and what it truly takes to offer care that is joined-up, humane and sustaining.
The day was grounded by a clear and hard-hitting overview from Colin Yeo, who set out the legislative changes shaping the current immigration landscape. This was followed by powerful contributions on the intersection of LGBTQI+ identities and immigration status from Pip McKnight, Graham Read and Hannah Lock, highlighting both systemic risks and the importance of inclusive, affirming support. We were also inspired by Dr Laura Shobiye, who spoke about how mothers in the refugee space can thrive when the right systems of care are in place.
The World Café discussions created space for reflection and shared learning, while the BRASP Lived Experience Group offered a rich panel on the importance of lived-experience spaces for solidarity, advocacy and shaping best practice across the sector.
We were especially grateful to be invited to close the conference, with Dr Katherine Cox holding a grounding exercise that allowed us all to slow down, breathe and reconnect before leaving.
Katherine brought us back to our “strong back, soft front and wild heart” (Brené Brown), holding the space with care and grounding - a fitting way to end a conference that balanced challenge, compassion and connection so well.
As always, the team at UWE Bristol organised the day beautifully and we thank everyone who brought their openness, attention and commitment into the room. We heard many people say it was their "best work day of the year", and we can see why!Find out more about our mission and impact on our website, or sign up to our newsletter or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for updates.
