An interesting article appeared in this week’s HeartEdge newsletter about a new project initiated research organisation Theos that dives into how churches are helping refugees and other forced migrants integrate in the UK.
But while much of the ongoing debate about refugees revolves around whether we should welcome those fleeing violence, there’s a question we don’t ask nearly enough: do these forced migrants feel welcome and are they able to flourish in the UK? This question is becoming more pressing as the numbers grow.
Since 2010, over 250,000 people have been granted asylum or resettlement in the UK, with 60,000 arriving just last year—a record number. On top of that, half a million people from Afghanistan, Hong Kong, and Ukraine have been offered safety in the UK through humanitarian protection since 2021.
Churches have a crucial role to play in this story. Previous research by Theos showed that churches are key players in fostering social cohesion at a local level, and believes that they are helping migrants settle into their new communities. This is especially important because migrants tend to be more religious than the average Briton—over 80% of the UK’s foreign-born population identified with a religion in the last census, compared with just over half of those born in the UK.
Yet, despite this, religion is often discussed in a negative light when it comes to migrant integration. Some churches that cater to specific national groups are accused of fostering social isolation, and there’s been a lot of suspicion around whether churches might be involved in so–called ‘fake conversions’ to help asylum claims.
Theos are launching their new research project this Refugee Week, 16-22 June 2025. It will delve into the real impact of local churches on the integration of forced migrants. They will also be exploring the real, practical challenges that churches face in trying to make a difference.
Theos is a research organisation that investigates the intersection of religion, politics and society in the contemporary world. Get Theos monthly e-newsletter here.
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