Do you have a spare room?
Could you offer temporary shelter to someone forced to flee their country? You could be a host with Room for Refugees.
“It’s about removing the borders from our hearts and minds.”
Glasgow, 2023: Marianna with Joy* and her newborn baby Noah*
An update on Room for Refugees
URGENT REQUEST! We urgently need to find a refugee host in Blackburn BB2 BB3 or BB4 for a refugee doctor who is taking up a post at a hospital in Blackburn. He is under considerable pressure because his mother and little sister are trapped in Gaza ( Khan Younas) which was subjected to bombing. His wife is in Egypt and along with his mother, father, brother, rely on his basic salary. He keeps aside £155 a month for his food and travel and the remainder of his salary goes to his family members abroad who are all displaced or refugees. If you are willing to offer spare room or a property then please register at the links above. He can also pay a nominal rent. If you can help then please register at www.roomforrefugees.com.
Hosts needed in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth, Aberdeen, London, Brighton: We are urgently in need of volunteer hosts in the above areas. If you are willing to offer spare room or a property then please do register at the links above. In some cases our guests can also pay a small rent. Our hosts come from all backgrounds, wealth and occupations. In all cases we guarantee confidentiality.
Latest Statistics: In 2022/23, Room for Refugees volunteer hosts provided shelter and sponsorship matches for 610 households, comprising 1,173 direct beneficiaries: 805 adults and 368 children (including 14 young people under 18). The total nights of shelter provided in 2022-23 were 137,241 These do not include nights from previous years' stays. We estimate that the Room for Refugees programme saved £6.7M in 2022/23 in housing costs alone. Room for Refugees accommodated people from 45 countries of origin including Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Ukraine and Yemen
Ukraine programme: We are currently assisting Ukrainians who need to resettle in Scotland because of the war. We are giving priority to older people, women, children and young people who are inside Ukraine and those trying to resettle in Scotland. See this refugee request form
Ukraine Refugee Appeal: please support this appeal in the UK and Europe. Donate to our Appeal today
See also our resources for refugees from Ukraine, and for supporters
Host a refugee family or individual in your home
Today we’re seeing the biggest movement of people to Europe since the refugee crisis following World War II.
If you’ve come to this page because you want to respond to what you’ve seen on the news, thank you. Showing hospitality is one of the most practical and powerful ways you can respond.
The Room for Refugees network helps those who are seeking sanctuary to rebuild their lives. We connect those with a spare room in their home to refugees and asylum seekers in need of somewhere to stay. Our hosts come from across the UK and the US.
Since 2002, we have placed thousands of people for anything from a week, to months and years, and notched up tens of thousands of nights of shelter.
As a “refugee host”, you decide how long you can offer a spare room or property. We screen all referrals to ensure a safe match, and our team are there to support you and your guest throughout the placement.
Find out more about how it works.
You can also read more about us in:
Can you help by volunteering or making a donation?
Your assistance, however modest, gives people hope to rebuild their lives. Thank you.
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“It’s like living with any other housemate.”
Omar with hosts Alister and Eloise
Omar is our first guest and it’s been lovely getting to know one each other. He is (slowly!) teaching us Arabic and has also introduced us to Syrian cuisine. I would definitely recommend hosting to those thinking about it; it’s been an entirely enjoyable experience. Elouise, Environmental Consultant from Glasgow, Scotland
I was a teacher in Darayya, Syria. I lost my wife and everything I had. Alister and Eloise have been very patient and kind to take me into their home. One day I hope I can rebuild my life and repay the kindness they have shown to me.Omar, Teacher from Darayya, Syria
Read more from our hosts and their guests.