Asylum Proposals Risk Harming Volunteering – Key Highlights

NCVO has raised serious concerns that proposed changes to the UK asylum system could have unintended and damaging consequences for volunteering and community action.

Here are the key highlights for the VCSE sector:

Key points at a glance

• Volunteering could be restricted: Proposals risk limiting opportunities for people seeking asylum to volunteer, despite volunteering being a vital route to connection, skills-building and wellbeing.
• Barriers to integration: Preventing or discouraging volunteering may increase isolation for asylum seekers and refugees, undermining community cohesion.
• Negative impact on charities: Many voluntary and community organisations rely on volunteers with lived experience of the asylum system to inform, deliver and strengthen services.
• Loss of mutual benefit: Volunteering supports both individuals and communities — reducing pressure on services while helping people develop confidence, language skills and social networks.
• Risk of stigmatisation: Framing asylum seekers as a “problem to manage” rather than people who contribute risks damaging public attitudes and trust.

Why this matters
The VCSE sector plays a critical role in welcoming people, building inclusive communities and supporting integration. Policies that restrict volunteering opportunities could weaken local services, reduce civic participation and contradict the government’s stated aims around social cohesion and active citizenship.

NCVO’s message

NCVO is calling for asylum policies that:

• Recognise the value of volunteering
• Support safe, inclusive participation
• Enable charities and community groups to continue their work without added barriers

To read more from NCVO - Click here

For VCSE organisations, this is an important moment to stay informed, reflect on potential local impacts, and consider how to advocate for policies that protect volunteering as a force for good

To read more from the UK Government and take part in the consultation, click here