A Migrant's Guide: Now online and connecting people to support
By the Praxis Communities Team
When we launched A Migrant's Guide last year, our goal was simple: create the resource we wished more people had when navigating life before and after securing immigration status.
The guide was co-produced with migrants with lived experience of the UK immigration system. It brings together practical information, personal insights and encouragement to help people access services, build community and plan their next steps. When you are a migrant, finding clear and trustworthy information can be difficult, especially when you are navigating unfamiliar systems, dealing with uncertainty, or trying to rebuild your life in a new place.
Since then, we have shared thousands of printed and digital copies of the guide through community groups, support organisations and frontline workers across the UK.
But we knew there was more we could do.
From guide to app
Today, we're excited to launch the new A Migrant's Guide App.
The app includes all of the information, advice, lived experience testimonials, and practical guidance from the original Migrant’s Guide. Everything that made the guide valuable remains at its heart.
The app makes the guide easier to use on a phone, tablet, or computer, allowing migrants to access information whenever and wherever they need it. Alongside downloading a PDF or carrying a printed copy, migrants can browse guidance, search topics, and discover relevant support directly from their device.
Most importantly, the app introduces two new features designed to help people move from information to action.
1. Find services near you
Knowing where to get support is often just as important as understanding your rights and options.
The app now includes a directory of organisations and services that support migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum. Migrants can search for relevant support and find organisations that may be able to help with issues such as housing, advice, wellbeing, community engagement, skills development and more.
2. Discover opportunities and community activities
Building connections, gaining experience and developing new skills are often important parts of settling into life in the UK.
The app includes opportunities, events and activities shared by organisations across the country, helping migrants discover workshops, training opportunities, volunteering roles, social activities, and community events in one place.
We hope this makes it easier for people not only to find support, but also to find opportunities to participate, grow and connect.
A tool for migrants
Whether you are waiting for a decision, have recently secured immigration status, or are supporting a family member through the process, the app has been designed to help you find trustworthy information and practical support.
Like the original guide, it has been created by migrants, for migrants.
You'll find guidance drawn from lived experience, practical information that can help you navigate systems and services, and opportunities to connect with organisations and communities that understand the challenges migrants face.
If you're a migrant, refugee or person seeking asylum, we encourage you to explore the app, share it with friends and family, and use it whenever you need information, support or inspiration.
A tool for organisations
We also see the app as a practical resource for organisations.
Many frontline workers spend significant time signposting people to services, opportunities and sources of information. The app brings these resources together in one place, helping advisers and support workers quickly connect people to relevant support.
If your organisation works with migrants, refugees, or people seeking asylum, you can use the app:
During advice and support sessions
As a signposting resource for clients and community members
To share reliable information and resources
To help people find opportunities, workshops and community activities
To direct people towards local support services
We are also inviting organisations to contribute.
By adding your services, events and opportunities, you can help ensure migrants can find the support available in their communities. The more organisations that participate, the more useful and comprehensive the resource becomes.
A resource that grows with the community
One of the challenges with printed resources is that information changes. Services evolve, opportunities come and go, and new resources become available.
The app allows A Migrant's Guide to continue growing and adapting alongside the communities it serves. As organisations add services and opportunities, and as new content is developed, users will be able to benefit from more current and relevant information.
The original guide was built on collaboration, lived experience and solidarity. The app continues that approach, bringing together migrants, community organisations and frontline workers to help people access the information and support they need.
Our ask: Use, Share and add to the Migrants Guide App
A Migrant's Guide App is free to use and available to anyone.
Whether you're looking for support, helping someone navigate the immigration system, or providing services to migrant communities, we invite you to be part of it.
Together, we can make it easier for migrants to access information, support and community connections when they need them most.
Launch A Migrant's Guide App | Add your organisation | Submit an opportunity or event