Without digital access, people are cut off from the very services designed to support them.

At Asylum Welcome, we regularly meet individuals and families with no smartphone, no laptop, and no reliable way to get online.

During long journeys to the UK, phones are often lost, broken or confiscated. Many people arrive with very little, and sometimes without the digital skills now needed for everyday life.

Without access, even simple things become major hurdles — attending essential appontments, staying in touch with family, or children being able to do their homework.

With your help, this is something we can change.

Abede’s story

Abede* arrived in the UK last year as an asylum seeker and was placed in temporary accommodation in Oxford. Leaving his home country in East Africa was one of the most difficult decisions of his life, especially as his wife and twin children had to remain behind. The separation continues to weigh heavily on him.

Abede holds a master’s degree in information systems and previously worked as an ICT Director in his home country. Despite his strong professional background, arriving in the UK as an asylum seeker left him facing uncertainty, isolation, and limited opportunities to use his skills. Over time, this situation began to affect both his wellbeing and confidence.

Determined to rebuild his life and stay connected, Abede made an effort to engage with his local community and explore new opportunities. When he learned that Asylum Welcome visited his accommodation twice a week, he introduced himself to the team. They referred him to the Digital Inclusion Service, where he received a laptop.

He later shared that this moment marked a turning point in his journey.

For the first time since arriving in the UK, Abede felt a renewed sense of hope and possibility. When he came to collect the laptop, he asked if there was any way he could contribute. To everyone’s surprise, he began volunteering that same day, helping to repair and prepare donated devices—drawing on his ICT knowledge and experience.

Today, Abede is an active and valued member of the Digital Inclusion Service volunteer team. In addition, he volunteers at a local GP surgery four days a week, where he continues to develop new skills and build meaningful connections within the community.

His journey reflects resilience, determination, and a strong commitment to giving back, despite the challenges he has faced.

Abede says:

“Asylum Welcome, especially the Digital Inclusion Service, has been truly life-changing for me. They do more than provide practical support—they help rebuild confidence, dignity, and hope in people who arrive feeling vulnerable and uncertain. I was one of those people. Today, I feel stronger, more confident, and deeply grateful for the opportunities I have been given.”

*name changed to protect his privacy

How your gift helps

Your donation today could provide:

• £20 — a power supply or essential accessory
• £60 — a basic smartphone for someone with no digital access
• £150 — a refurbished laptop, opening opportunities for learning, communication and independence

Give connection. Give confidence. Give welcome.

Your support helps people rebuild their lives, reconnect with the world, and move forward with dignity and hope.

Since 2023, our Digital Inclusion Service has supported over 1,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Oxfordshire with devices, SIM cards and digital skills training.

Each device enables hundreds of vital connections — to teachers, employers, new friends, mentors, and loved ones.