Community Groups and Support for Immigrants in the UK
Moving to a new country can be isolating, but the UK has a rich network of community groups, charities, and support organisations that help immigrants settle, integrate, and thrive. This guide connects you with the resources available.
- Section
- Practical Life in the UK
- Reading time
- 8 min
- Last checked
- 13 February 2026
- Source
- The published Immigration Rules and GOV.UK guidance, linked throughout this guide.
- Rowan does not
- Look at your own case, tell you which route to choose, or say what the Home Office will decide. This guide shows the published rules and where to read them.
In short
- Law centres and some Citizens Advice offices give free advice. Ask whether the office is regulated for immigration before relying on immigration advice from it.
- English language classes are widely available, often free or subsidised.
- Nationality-specific community groups provide cultural connection and practical support.
- Giving immigration advice unregulated is a criminal offence. Only the Immigration Advice Authority register, or a solicitor, barrister or chartered legal executive, counts.
- The Immigration Advice Authority is the body that was the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner until 16 January 2025. Older guides still use the old name.
The UK has extensive community support for immigrants, including free advice services, language classes, nationality-specific groups, and integration programmes. This guide covers the main types of support available and how to find them in your area.
Free Advice Services
Several organisations provide free advice to immigrants across the UK:
- Citizens Advice: free advice on housing, benefits, employment, debt and consumer problems, online, by phone and in person. Some offices are also regulated to advise on immigration and some are not — ask
- Local law centres: free legal advice on welfare, housing and, where the centre holds the regulation for it, immigration. The Law Centres Network lists them
- Migrant Help: Specialises in supporting asylum seekers and trafficking victims
- JCWI (Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants): Policy advocacy and guidance on immigration rights
Language Support
English language classes are widely available:
- ESOL classes: English for Speakers of Other Languages, offered by local colleges and adult education centres
- Community classes: Many charities and community groups run free conversational English sessions
- Online resources: Free courses from the BBC, British Council, and other providers
- Library programmes: Many public libraries run reading groups and conversation classes
Nationality-Specific Groups
The UK has well-established community groups for most nationalities. These provide cultural connection, practical support, and social events. Examples include:
- Nigerian and other African community associations
- Pakistani and South Asian community centres
- Polish cultural centres and Saturday schools
- Filipino community organisations
- Caribbean and Windrush community groups
Search online for your community in your area, or ask at your local council.
Religious Organisations
Places of worship often serve as community hubs for immigrants, offering:
- Social connections with others from similar backgrounds
- Practical help with settling in (housing, employment, benefits advice)
- Language support and conversation practice
- Cultural events and celebrations
- Emotional and spiritual support
Local Council Services
Many local councils run integration programmes for new residents, including:
- Welcome packs with information about local services
- Signposting to healthcare, education, and housing
- Community events and networking opportunities
- Support for victims of hate crime or discrimination
Check your local council's website or visit your local library for information about what is available in your area.
National Charities
The following national charities support immigrants across the UK:
- Refugee Council: Support for refugees and asylum seekers
- British Red Cross: Support for refugees, asylum seekers, and vulnerable migrants
- Praxis: Support for migrants in London
- Coram Children's Legal Centre: Legal advice for young migrants
Online Communities
Online forums and social media groups can be valuable sources of information and support. However, be cautious about immigration advice received online. Only rely on advice from qualified, regulated advisers for important immigration decisions.
For immigration advice, use only an adviser registered with the Immigration Advice Authority, or a solicitor, barrister or chartered legal executive regulated by their own professional body. The Immigration Advice Authority is the same body that was called the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner until 16 January 2025, so a page or a certificate naming the old body is not necessarily out of date about the person.
Further Resources
Find regulated immigration advisers at GOV.UK. See also our guides on citizenship requirements, NHS access, and cost of living.
You may also find our English Language Tests for UK Visas andHome Office Contact Guide helpful.
Questions and answers
What support is available for immigrants in the UK?
English language classes, community groups organised by nationality or region, religious organisations, local council services, and national charities such as the Refugee Council, the British Red Cross and Migrant Help. For immigration advice specifically, only a regulated adviser may give it: law centres and some Citizens Advice offices hold that regulation, and many do not, so ask before you rely on what you are told.
Are community support services free?
Most are. Citizens Advice gives free advice on housing, benefits, employment and consumer problems, and some offices are also regulated to give immigration advice. Law centres give free legal advice, including immigration where they hold the regulation for it. Many English classes are free or subsidised, and volunteer-run community groups are usually free to join.
How do I find community groups in my area?
Search online for your nationality or community group plus your city or area. Check your local council website for integration services. Visit your local library, which often hosts community groups. Ask at your place of worship. Search on social media platforms for local groups.
Can community groups help with my visa or citizenship application?
Only someone regulated may give immigration advice, and this is not a formality: under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 it is a criminal offence to give immigration advice or services unless you are registered with the Immigration Advice Authority, or you are a solicitor, barrister or chartered legal executive regulated by your own professional body. A community group that is not regulated can give you general information, emotional support and a referral. If someone offers to complete your application for a fee and is on none of those registers, that is an offence being committed, not a shortcut.
This guide is general information about published immigration rules. It is not advice about an individual application under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and Rowan is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Immigration rules change several times a year. For advice on a particular situation, contact an adviser authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority or an immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.