Journey LGBT+ Asylum Group

Charity 1212001

https://journeylgbtasylumgroup.co.uk

Overview

Summary

Sources:Civic AtlasAI-assisted

Journey LGBT+ Asylum Group appears to occupy a distinctive bridging role at the intersection of LGBT+ community support, asylum navigation and local inclusion in the West Midlands. Its model is not limited to advice: it combines practical guidance with belonging, peer connection and advocacy. The organisation’s volunteer-led structure may make mutual support and trust central to its offer, while also creating potential limits on capacity. It appears designed to reduce isolation during an asylum journey that can otherwise fragment safety, identity and community.

See observations

Operational geography

Sources:ONSCivic AtlasAI-assisted

Coverage: Regional

Operational areas:

    Evidence and reasoning
    Supporting evidence
    Remaining uncertainties
    • Direct evidence establishes that Journey supports LGBT+ asylum seekers and refugees across the West Midlands, with Birmingham as its base, but it does not identify current delivery venues or recurring activities in any specific Birmingham ward or in the City Centre.
    • The registered address may be an administrative or correspondence address rather than a service-delivery site. The Charity Commission also records that the charity does not own or lease land or property.
    • A 2025 partnership project delivered workshops at a venue in Moseley, but this is time-limited historic evidence and does not demonstrate that Journey currently operates there.
    • The organisation's stated collaboration with other groups across the West Midlands indicates a partnership-enabled regional reach, but the available evidence does not identify which partnerships currently involve regular joint delivery or where that delivery takes place.
    Additional evidence needed
    • Current information from Journey confirming the locations, frequency and format of its group meetings, one-to-one support and social activities, with safeguarding-sensitive locations withheld where necessary.
    • A current list of active delivery partners and clarification of whether they host, refer into, or jointly deliver Journey services.
    • An annual report, impact report or current programme update showing where members are being supported and whether activity is delivered in Birmingham only or across the wider West Midlands.

    Areas of work

    Source:Charity Commission
    • General Charitable Purposes
    • Human Rights/religious Or Racial Harmony/equality Or Diversity

    Who they help

    Source:Charity Commission
    • People Of A Particular Ethnic Or Racial Origin

    How they help

    Source:Charity Commission
    • Provides Advocacy/advice/information
    • Provides Services

    Discoveries involving this organisation

    Observations

    Sources:Civic AtlasAI-assisted

    • Belonging is treated as a form of support

      The available evidence suggests that Journey sees connection, recognition and safety as essential outcomes alongside information or advocacy. Its approach may respond to social isolation and fear as much as to administrative needs in the asylum process.

      Why it matters

      This helps distinguish the organisation from a conventional advice service. Its value may lie in creating a trusted community environment where members can access practical help without separating it from identity, dignity and peer relationships.

      Show evidence

      • “The charity's objects include creating safe and welcoming spaces for connection and community.”

        Source:Charity Commission

      • “Its vision is to create a safe space for LGBT+ asylum seekers and refugees, helping them find community, healing and support.”

        Source:Organisation

    • Peer support appears to be part of the operating model, not an add-on

      The buddy and peer-support schemes suggest that members may help extend the organisation's support to newcomers. This may create routes from receiving support to contributing it, strengthening trust and continuity within the group.

      Why it matters

      This indicates a potentially relational and participatory model rather than one based solely on professional service delivery. It may also be an important resilience mechanism for a volunteer-organised charity.

      Show evidence

      • “The group has a buddy scheme and a peer support scheme to enhance support for new members.”

        Source:Organisation

      • “The organisation is organised entirely by volunteers.”

        Source:Organisation

    • The organisation combines direct support with changing the surrounding environment

      Journey appears to work on two levels: helping individuals through asylum and refugee experiences while seeking wider public understanding and inclusion across the West Midlands. This may reflect recognition that individual wellbeing is shaped by institutional and social conditions.

      Why it matters

      This clarifies that advocacy and awareness raising are strategic elements of its role, not merely supplementary activities. It may position Journey as a connector between members' lived experience and wider local systems or communities.

      Show evidence

      • “One object is to advance public education about issues relating to LGBT+ asylum seekers and refugees.”

        Source:Charity Commission

      • “Its aims include promoting greater inclusion across the West Midlands and collaborating with other groups to support LGBT+ asylum seekers.”

        Source:Organisation

      Remaining uncertainties

    • There is no evidence on the number, location or circumstances of members reached.
    • It is unclear which partner organisations Journey collaborates with and whether those relationships are active or formal.
    • The evidence does not show how volunteer capacity affects consistency, safeguarding or access to specialist advice.

      Additional evidence needed

    • Recent activity reports showing participation, outcomes, peer-support delivery and unmet demand.
    • Information on partner relationships, referral routes, safeguarding arrangements and sources of specialist legal or welfare advice.
    Charity Commission profile
    Source:Charity Commission

    Activities

    The Journey LGBT Asylum Group is a support group for asylum seekers and refugees in the West Midlands. We are based in Birmingham and offer our members a range of support, group meetings, social activities, one to one support, advocacy and awareness raising about the issues faced by our members. We also have a buddy scheme, a peer support scheme to enhance our support offer to new members.

    Charity objects

    THE OBJECTS OF THE CIO ARE: 1. TO RELIEVE THE NEEDS OF LGBT+ ASYLUM SEEKERS AND THOSE GRANTED REFUGEE STATUS AND THEIR DEPENDANTS IN THE WEST MIDLANDS IN PARTICULAR, BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY, BY: (I) CREATING SAFE AND WELCOMING SPACES FOR CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY, (II) PROVIDING BEFRIENDING, MENTORING AND ONE-TO-ONE SUPPORT, (III) COORDINATING GROUP ACTIVITIES AND IMPROVING ACCESS TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES TO FACILITATE INTEGRATION, (IV) PROVIDING SUPPORT, INFORMATION AND SIGNPOSTING THROUGH THE ASYLUM PROCESS AND BEYOND. 2. TO ADVANCE FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL ABOUT THE ISSUES RELATING TO LGBT+ ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES.