Lewisham's Mayor has announced that Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) will be the Mayor's Charity for the upcoming year, a decision made during a Council meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
Mayor Liam Shrivastava expressed his strong support for AFRIL's work with asylum seekers, refugees, and vulnerable migrants, highlighting the organisation's long-standing presence in Lewisham since 2006. He noted that AFRIL provides vital holistic services, including casework, legal advice, a food bank, and a supplementary school.
Chloe, representing AFRIL, spoke at the meeting about the organisation's efforts and the importance of the Council's support, particularly in the current political climate. She explained that this climate is characterised by the national government, the far right, and some media actors constantly taking steps to demonise and undermine our diverse and cohesive communities.
This hostile environment, she warned, has a real impact
and is expected to lead to massive changes to resettlement and attacks on the rights of granted refugees
in the coming year. Consequently, Chloe anticipates that in Lewisham, these changes will result in more people becoming destitute, more people being forced into exploitation.
She emphasised that AFRIL supports asylum seekers, refugees, and undocumented migrants, offering a range of services to help them overcome hardship and rebuild their lives within the community.
During the meeting, the outgoing Mayor's Charity, the Lewisham Donation Hub, was thanked for their contributions. Over the past year, the partnership with the Council raised £19,943.11.
Further details on the council meeting can be found in the Public reports pack 20th May 2026 19.30 Council.
