Across our communities, there are people living in silence and uncertainty – individuals whose asylum case has been delayed and refused.
Nottingham Refuge Forum is committed to standing with everyone who seeks asylum, and with your contribution, we continue to support asylum seekers, who, although facing unimaginable hardship, still show resilience and dignity.
The appeals backlog
The number of asylum appeals being lodged has increased significantly as many people are being refused asylum: 57,905 in the year ending June 2025. In the year ending March 2025, the First-tier Tribunal received 40,667 asylum appeals, up from 29,290 the year before.
There are a few factors in particular that have contributed to the backlog; the backlog clearance exercise in 2023, and a combination of lifting the inadmissibility pause, which were then followed by a high number of refusals. The number of asylum decisions soared in the fourth quarter of 2023 to an astonishing 49,094 decisions plus a further 9,087 withdrawals of asylum claims. In total, there were 28,231 grants of asylum and 19,997 refusals.
Appeal success rate
The average First-tier Tribunal asylum case decision was 50 weeks in the period January to March 2025, up from 43 weeks for January to March 2024. Various concerns have therefore arisen about whether the Home Office clearance of the backlog was processed properly. The asylum caseload at the tribunal is increasing as a result of increased Home Office decision-making, with a lack of resources for appeals. This leaves asylum seekers at risk, facing homelessness, unable to work, and with deep uncertainty.
Why Come, Sip and Give matters?
Refused asylum seekers often face unimaginable uncertainty: unable to work due to their status, going through limbo with their case, and no recourse to public funds. Many are left without any legal aid, food, shelter, or emotional well-being support.
Come, Sip and Give was a reminder of hope; we gather in a season of giving. We are reminded that hope is one of the most powerful human gifts to one another. We come together not just to celebrate the holidays, but to stand together alongside refugees who face unimaginable uncertainty and hardship.
Our supporters’ generosity makes a real difference and is a reminder to the people who are often unseen that they are valued. Every conversation, every donation, every penny paid towards our Christmas Challenge counts, meaning we have now surpassed our target!
Come, Sip and Give: Christmas fundraising event for refused asylum seekers
The funds raised during this event will go directly towards:
- Support to cover food and accommodation
- Legal and advocacy for unresolved asylum cases
- Mental health and wellbeing services support
- Support to cover essential living costs through a cash allowance
How can you help?
You can stand with the refused asylum seekers in different ways:
Donate
No matter the size of the donation, it makes a difference. All donations will be doubled until 9th December 2025. For us to keep doing what we’re doing, we rely on your continued support. To ensure your donation has a lasting impact, please consider donating monthly.
Volunteer
Have a spare hour or two every week or month? Nottingham Refugee Forum for people to support our events, outreach and ongoing programmes.
This blog was written by Communications Volunteer Karim Haddaoui.