On 21 November, the Explore Adapt Renew (EAR) programme marked the culmination of three years of transformative work with an in-person gathering at Resources for London.
With funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, the EAR programme has united seven leading charities from across the UK have come together in partnership so that refugees, asylum seekers and migrants have a stronger voice in the asylum system, have greater access to justice and are better supported to successfully rebuild their lives. Through its participatory approach, the programme has centred lived experiences and driven significant changes in how asylum seekers are supported in the UK.
The event brought together 41 frontline workers, leaders and experts by experience from the seven partnership organisations (Action Foundation, Bristol Refugee Rights, Brushstrokes, Nottingham Refugee Forum, PAFRAS, Refugee Women Connect, SDCAS and Refugee Action) and our digital, evaluation and facilitation training collaborators. Together we celebrated our achievements, reflected on what we have learnt and discussed the future of the partnership.
Welcoming Remarks and Opening Keynotes
The day began with a warm welcome from the EAR programme team. Pascale Gayford, Partnerships Manager - Insight and Development, and Lora Evans, EAR Programme Manager, delivered the opening keynotes, setting the tone for the day by reflecting on the programme’s journey. They highlighted the EAR partnership's dedication to shifting power, promoting early action, and strengthening local ecosystems.
Showcasing Progress and Impact
The morning session featured presentations from four of the partner organisations, including:
- Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers
- Bristol Refugee and Asylum Seeker Partnership (BRASP)
- Action Foundation
- Brushstrokes
These organisations shared spotlights on some of their most impactful work over the past three years, demonstrating how the EAR partnership’s core values have informed their approach. From multi-stakeholder homelessness surgeries held in hotels across South London, to creating employability pathways for people with lived experience of forced displacement, the presentations highlighted the tangible impact of the partnership.
Panel Discussion: Lived-Experience Leadership
The mid-day session featured a panel discussion exploring the theme of lived-experience leadership and its role in transforming power-sharing dynamics. Representatives from PAFRAS, Nottingham Refugee Forum and Refugee Women Connect led the conversation.
Panellists discussed how centring lived experiences has reshaped decision-making, improved service delivery, and empowered those directly affected by the asylum system to take on leadership roles.
The audience actively participated in the discussion, asking thought-provoking questions and contributing their own reflections.
A Participatory Reflection: The River Journey
After lunch, attendees took part in a river reflective activity, an interactive session designed to map the partnership’s activities and explore the distance travelled . The activity focused on the four elements of the programme:
- Shifting power
- Early Action
- Local ecosystems
- Adapting services
Participants shared personal insights and collaborative reflections, mapping the highs and challenges of the past three years. This participatory exercise highlighted how far the partnership has come and identified opportunities for future growth.
Closing Reflections and Future Outlook
The day concluded with reflections and key remarks from Tim Naor Hilton, CEO of Refugee Action, and the EAR programme team. Tim underscored the importance of the EAR partnership’s work in challenging the UK’s hostile environment policies and contributing to Refugee Action’s wider strategy for systemic change.
Partners shared heartfelt testimonials about the value of the partnership, and the programme team thanked everyone for their commitment and collaboration over the years.
As the current funding cycle draws to a close, the gathering also provided a platform to explore opportunities for the next phase of the EAR partnership. Discussions focused on building on the programme’s successes and further embedding its values in future work.
A Shared Achievement
The 21 November event was not just a celebration but a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through collaboration and a shared commitment to justice and inclusion.
As we close this chapter of the EAR programme, we look forward to continuing this vital work and exploring new ways to create a fairer and more compassionate system for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants across the UK.
