Every year thousands of men, women and children from 150 countries come to London to start a new life.

Some are fleeing the terror of the worlds most bitter and intractable conflicts, or the violent persecution of hardline governments. Others want to escape extreme poverty and deprivation and build a more secure future for their families. A growing number come from Eastern Europe, making the most of their freedom to travel and work abroad in the expanding European Union.

Some of these new arrivals settle quickly but many have to deal with numerous obstacles. Most face the practical challenges of overcoming the language barrier, finding decent housing, and securing an income to make ends meet. Some endure hostility and humiliation at the hands of a mean-spirited asylum system. Many are bewildered by the soul-destroying bureaucracy of accessing state services

At Praxis we believe migration has the potential to enrich us all. We welcome and befriend people of all nations and backgrounds as they seek to find their feet in London. Through advice and practical support, we empower them to sweep away the obstacles in their path and take their place in the rich cultural and economic life of the capital.

Praxis is in the business of supporting individual new residents to find their place in the UK and to facilitate the creation of new communities. We draw out what is best in frequently difficult and sometimes tragic circumstances.The experience of history and a considerable body of research demonstrates that new residents create an opening for positive economic, social, cultural and political developments. However, there are barriers to their progress, many of which are unnecessary. Praxis aims to remove these barriers and to facilitate access to the resources needed to settle well in the UK.

Praxis helps new residents, who frequently arrive alone and with no knowledge of the English language, to cope with the most basic requirements of daily life such as putting a roof over their heads, the means to buy food until they can work and help in finding a job. We do this through agencies, both public sector and voluntary, which understand and are sensitive to the needs of new arrivals. Migration is a constant reality in the contemporary world and will remain so for the foreseeable future.

The arrival of so many refugees and other migrants has resulted in the establishment of new communities. These communities are often focused around ethnic origin and a common experience of flight from their own countries. They are also creating exciting and new multi-cultural communities in workplaces, neighborhoods, faith communities and social settings.