Empowering refugees and migrants

Our History

Back in the 1980s, Lewisham College and Community Education Lewisham were running English language classes for the increasing number of refugees and asylum seekers settling in Lewisham. Struggling to respond to the rise in need, a group of students, teachers and members of the Blackheath United Nations Association got together to form an advice service.

In 1992, with the financial help from Lewisham Council, the advice service opened their first office and by 1996, we became a registered charity, opening our doors to all migrants in need of our help.

Today, we are a leading migrants’ rights charity in south London – advocating and supporting those most vulnerable. We advise on critical immigration cases, prevent homelessness, improve wellbeing, meet basic needs and campaign for change.

Our Vision

To have a fair, just and equal society where all people can live in harmony with each other and in a state of positive wellbeing.

Our mission

To empower refugees, asylum seekers and migrants to know and exercise their rights, thrive, make a positive contribution, integrate and take control of their lives.

Our values

Collaboration: We work together with the people we serve, our team and partners to design and deliver our services and campaigns.

Rights-based: Human rights are at the heart of everything we do at LRMN – from how we work, to how we advocate for change.

Integrity: We operate on the principles of honesty and integrity.

Inclusion: From our staff, to our clients, we respect and value our differences and harness the power of inclusion to help LRMN and our clients thrive.

Equality: We are committed to building equity, diversity and inclusion into all aspects of our work, to better reflect the communities we serve, make better decisions and be more innovative.