A refugee is someone who has escaped their home country because they are in serious danger of human rights abuses and persecution. The threats to their safety and life were so severe that they had no choice but to leave and find safety elsewhere. Their government could not or would not protect them. Refugees are entitled to international protection.
Cornwall Council has a legal duty to support refugees with:
wrap-around and move-on support for individuals and families
minimum of eight hours per week teaching of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
welcome payments and accommodation support.
We support both Ukrainian and Afghan refugees with support including:
registering children with local schools
accessing Health and Care support services
giving advice and referrals to mental health services and to specialist services
accessing local Jobcentre Plus services and explaining what their role is
integrating support with voluntary and community organisations
cultural capability training and other bespoke training for people working with refugees
open dialogue with schools and a dedicated Education worker. This helps refugees to integrate into primary and secondary education.
“I work with people with extraordinary stories who have made incredible journeys and who are now making a life in Cornwall. We need to step back, listen and really take on board the life experiences of the individual whose life has been torn apart and who has overcome massive challenge to make it to safety.” – Bertie, Outreach worker
Community events
Events help foster connections, and create vibrant, united communities. Throughout the year, we attend, organise, and support a wide range of campaigns and activities to engage with people across Cornwall.
Supporting Ukrainian refugees
Here in Cornwall
Over 450 households in Cornwall have so far opened their homes to provide a place of sanctuary for over 1200 Ukrainians. We are always looking for more hosts.
You can find out more about hosting on our Help for Ukraine pages or get in touch with the team on WeBelong@cornwall.gov.uk.
We also provide help and support to Ukrainians looking to rent in the private sector. Find out more on our Housing for Ukrainians page.
The background
On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The war was described by the UN as the fastest growing crisis and Europe’s largest refugee need since World War II.
In the first week of the invasion, the UN reported over a million refugees had fled Ukraine and an ongoing refugee crisis began in Europe.
By June 2022, nearly 7.9 million refugees were recorded to have fled Ukraine across Europe. An estimated 8 million people have been displaced within Ukraine itself and 3.5 million people are so far reported to have lost their homes.
The UK response
The Homes for Ukraine scheme was launched by the Government on 14 March 2022. The scheme enables a sponsor in the UK to nominate a named Ukrainian or a named Ukrainian family to stay with them in their home or in a separate property.
Sponsors provide a home or a spare room rent-free for a minimum of six months and receive a ‘thank you’ payment from the Government. These payments are facilitated by the Council. Those arriving via this scheme could originally stay in the UK for up to three years.
The government’s Ukraine Permission Extension scheme opened on 4 February 2025. It allowed Ukrainian nationals to stay in the UK for an additional 18 months. Following this, on 1 September 2025, the Government confirmed that the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) Scheme will be extended for 24 months. This is in addition to the initial 18‑months of the scheme. This means eligible Ukrainians will be able to stay in the UK for up to six and a half years for those with an initial three-year visa and five years for those who initial visa was issued for 18 months.
We still need new sponsors to provide safe homes in Cornwall.
Find more information about sponsorship on the government website
View our support information in our information area
Supporting Afghan refugees
The background
After the withdrawal from Afghanistan of British and US armed forces and the Taliban’s ascent to power in the summer of 2021, the number of forcibly displaced Afghans rose steeply. The UN estimates that from 1 January to 20 October 2021, 677,000 people were newly displaced inside Afghanistan.
As part of the international response to this crisis, the UK government announced programmes to evacuate and resettle Afghan refugees in the UK.
Operation Pitting was a British military operation to evacuate British Nationals and eligible Afghans. It was the largest British evacuation since the Second Word War and the largest airlift since the Berlin Blockade of 1948-9.
The UK response
The UK previously had two key schemes for Afghan resettlement: the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS). In December 2024 the Afghan Resettlement Program was launched to bring together the Afghan programmes. On 1 July 2025, the UK Government announced the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) has closed to new applicants. However, it will continue supporting families until the end of this parliament.
ARAP supported those who served alongside UK armed forces in Afghanistan. It offers relocation or assistance to individuals at risk due to their work. This includes close family members. Three years of support are available, including casework and English language classes.
ACRS aimed to resettle up to 20,000 vulnerable Afghans. It prioritises people who helped UK efforts as well as those at risk, such as women, children, and minority groups. It also includes eligible British nationals evacuated during Operation Pitting. The scheme focuses on individuals identified through referral pathways. It provides three years of support, including casework and English classes.
Both schemes emphasised the UK’s commitment to helping vulnerable Afghans rebuild their lives.
Supporting unaccompanied children
Children and young people who have been separated from their parents or carers are cared for by the Council within Children’s Social Care.
The Inclusion and Belonging Team works with Together for Families and Education to ensure a joint approach for when young people move into adult services.