Help us build stronger futures for refugees and asylum seekers
Rural Refugee Network works with refugees and asylum seekers across East Hampshire, Havant and Portsmouth, providing practical support that helps people build skills, confidence, independence and connections in their communities.
We welcome opportunities to work with trusts, foundations, statutory funders and other organisations that want to be part of delivering effective, locally embedded refugee support.
A proven track record
We have experience developing and delivering projects in response to local need, working with partners and evaluating the difference our programmes make.
Our Youth Discovery NEST, supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people in Portsmouth, is supported by three-year funding from The National Lottery Community Fund.
Our work has been supported recently by the Postcode Society Trust, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation, Havant Borough Council, East Hampshire District Council, The Hilden Charitable Fund and Eva Reckitt Trust.
Evidence of our impact
We evaluate our projects and use what we learn to improve our services and develop future work.
Read Our Impact and Evaluation Reports →
Interested in funding RRN?
We welcome conversations with funders about local needs, our current work and opportunities to support future projects. Please get in touch on hello@ruralrefugeenetwork.org.
Our Theory of Change
What we do
- We connect people
- We create opportunities for refugees, asylum seekers and local people to meet, build relationships and become part of community life
- We build skills and confidence
- Through English, education, employment and other activities, we help people develop the skills and confidence they need to participate and become more independent
- We help people navigate the practical challenges of settling in a new place
What changes
As a result, people are better able to:
- communicate, build friendships and participate in their communities
- develop skills, confidence and independence
- access education, employment and training
- feel a sense of belonging and contribute to community life
At the same time, local communities become more connected and better able to welcome and include people from different backgrounds.
Our longer-term aim
Over time, these changes contribute to stronger, more inclusive and welcoming communities where everyone has the opportunity to belong and contribute.
By working together with refugees and asylum seekers, volunteers, community groups, schools, local authorities, funders and other partners, we can make a lasting contribution to stronger, more inclusive and welcoming communities.
How do we know we are making a difference?
We evaluate our projects, listen to the people we support and use what we learn to improve our work. Our evaluations and impact reports provide evidence of the changes our programmes are making and help us develop our future work.