Report Highlights Significant Health Inequalities for Hertfordshire Asylum Seekers

Key Takeaways

• Flourish Mental Health Service launched April 1, 2025, offering specialist support to asylum seekers aged 16+ in Hertfordshire.
• Community grants up to £10,000 fund projects improving health, food security, and financial advice for vulnerable asylum seekers.
• Healthwatch Hertfordshire’s 2025–2026 research engages asylum seekers to improve healthcare access and inform migration strategy.

As of July 2025, important changes and ongoing efforts are shaping the experience of asylum seekers in Hertfordshire. These updates focus on health inequalities, especially mental health, and outline new services, funding, and research designed to improve support for this vulnerable group. Here’s a detailed summary of what has changed, who is affected, key dates, required actions, and what these developments mean for pending and future applications.

Summary of What Changed

Several new policies and services have been introduced or expanded in Hertfordshire to address the health needs of asylum seekers. The most notable change is the launch of the Flourish Mental Health Service, which began on April 1, 2025. This service, run by Herts Mind Network, offers early intervention and specialist mental health support for refugees and asylum seekers aged 16 and above. Alongside this, Hertfordshire County Council is developing a new migration strategy, and local organizations are increasing research and engagement with asylum seekers to better understand and address their needs.

Who Is Affected

• Asylum seekers in Hertfordshire, especially those aged 16 and above, are directly affected by these changes.
• Refugees living in the area also benefit from the new mental health services and community support.
• Community groups and voluntary organizations working with asylum seekers can access new funding opportunities.
• Healthcare providers and local authorities are involved in implementing and adapting these services.

Effective Dates

• April 1, 2025: Start of the new two-year contract for the Flourish Mental Health Service, with a possible two-year extension.
• 2025–2026: Healthwatch Hertfordshire’s research and engagement plan is active, focusing on asylum seekers’ healthcare experiences.
• Ongoing: Community grants and integrated care initiatives are available and being expanded.

Required Actions

• Asylum seekers should learn about and access the Flourish Mental Health Service if they need support.
• Community groups can apply for Building Life Chances grants to fund projects that help asylum seekers.
• Healthcare providers should use established referral pathways to connect asylum seekers with specialist support.
• Asylum seekers and refugees are encouraged to participate in focus groups and interviews to share their experiences and help shape future services.

Implications for Pending Applications

• Pending asylum applications are not directly affected by these health service changes, but improved access to mental health and community support may help applicants manage stress and health challenges during the waiting period.
• Participation in research or community programs does not impact the outcome of an asylum application, but it can improve wellbeing and help shape better services for the future.

Detailed Update: Health Inequalities and Mental Health Support

Significant Health Inequalities

Recent reports confirm that asylum seekers in Hertfordshire face much greater health challenges than the general population. According to local research, refugees and asylum seekers are five times more likely to have mental health needs. These needs often go unmet due to barriers like language, cultural differences, and lack of awareness about available services.

Flourish Mental Health Service

To address these issues, Hertfordshire County Council awarded a new contract to Herts Mind Network for the Flourish Mental Health Service. This service is designed to be flexible and responsive, offering:

• Specialist, community-based mental health support
• Early intervention to prevent problems from getting worse
• Support for people aged 16 and above who are refugees or asylum seekers
• Clear referral pathways to mainstream and specialist mental health services for more complex needs

The Flourish service is part of a wider effort to make sure asylum seekers get the help they need as soon as possible, reducing the risk of mental health crises and emergency hospital visits.

Accessing the Flourish Mental Health Service

Here’s how asylum seekers in Hertfordshire can access this support:

1. Referral: Asylum seekers aged 16 or older can be referred by a healthcare provider, a community organization, or they can refer themselves.
2. Assessment: The Flourish team will carry out an initial assessment to understand the person’s needs.
3. Support: Based on the assessment, the service offers tailored mental health and wellbeing support, which can include counseling, group sessions, or practical advice.
4. Specialist Referral: If someone needs more specialized help, the Flourish service can refer them to the Hertfordshire Foundation Partnership Trust or other specialist providers.

For more information or to make a referral, asylum seekers can contact Herts Mind Network or Hertfordshire County Council directly.

Community Support and Funding

Recognizing that health is affected by many factors, Hertfordshire has also launched the Building Life Chances Programme. This program offers grants of up to £10,000 to community groups that support vulnerable people, including asylum seekers. The grants can be used for projects that:

• Improve access to health services
• Support food security
• Provide financial advice
• Help people understand and use local services

Community groups interested in applying for these grants can find more information and application forms through the Hertfordshire Community Foundation.

Ongoing Research and Engagement

Healthwatch Hertfordshire is leading a new research and engagement plan for 2025–2026. The goal is to:

• Listen to asylum seekers and refugees about their experiences with healthcare
• Identify barriers that prevent people from getting the help they need
• Use focus groups and interviews to gather real stories and feedback
• Inform the Council’s Refugees Strategy so that future services are better designed

Asylum seekers are encouraged to take part in these activities. Sharing their experiences can help improve services for everyone in the community.

Integrated Care Board Initiatives

The Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board has recognized that some areas, including those with many asylum seekers, face higher levels of poverty and health problems. Their Joint Forward Plan, published in March 2025, commits to:

• Reducing health inequalities through community-based care
• Focusing on early intervention to prevent health problems from becoming emergencies
• Integrating health and care services so people get the right help at the right time

This approach means asylum seekers should find it easier to access both health and social care, with services working together to meet their needs.

Quantitative Data and National Context

• Mental Health Needs: Refugees and asylum seekers are five times more likely to need mental health support than the general population.
• Cost to NHS: Across the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, health inequalities, especially in infectious disease admissions, cost the NHS between £970 million and £1.5 billion per year. Asylum seekers are part of the groups most affected by these costs.
• Access Challenges: There is a clear need to improve access to dental and mental health services for asylum seekers, with specific targets set to reduce emergency hospital admissions related to self-harm and mental health crises.

Policy Changes and Strategic Responses

• Flourish Mental Health Service: The new contract ensures that asylum seekers and refugees in Hertfordshire have ongoing access to specialist mental health support.
• Migration Strategy: Hertfordshire is developing a new migration strategy to better coordinate support for asylum seekers, with the Flourish service expected to play a key role.
• Building Life Chances Programme: Grants are available to help community groups address health, food, and financial inequalities among asylum seekers.

Key Stakeholders

• Herts Mind Network: Lead provider for the Flourish Mental Health Service.
• Hertfordshire County Council: Responsible for commissioning services and developing the migration strategy.
• Healthwatch Hertfordshire: Engaging directly with asylum seekers to gather feedback and inform policy.
• Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board: Leading efforts to integrate health and care services and reduce inequalities.

Practical Implications for Asylum Seekers

• Access to Mental Health Services: Asylum seekers can now more easily access early intervention and specialist support through the Flourish service.
• Community Support: Local groups can help asylum seekers with health, food, and financial needs, supported by new grant funding.
• Opportunities to Share Experiences: Asylum seekers are invited to participate in research and engagement activities, helping to shape future services.

Step-by-Step: Accessing Support

1. Referral to Flourish: Ask your GP, a community group, or contact Flourish directly to start the process.
2. Assessment and Support: Attend an initial meeting to discuss your needs and receive tailored support.
3. Referral to Specialist Services: If needed, Flourish will connect you with more specialized mental health services.
4. Community Grants: If you are part of a community group, apply for a Building Life Chances grant to support projects for asylum seekers.

Expert Analysis and Multiple Perspectives

• Healthwatch Hertfordshire stresses the importance of listening to asylum seekers to understand the real barriers they face and to improve services.
• Integrated Care Board leaders recognize that changing demographics and areas of poverty mean services must be more community-focused and proactive.
• National Perspective: The UK Health Security Agency’s 2025 report points out that asylum seekers are often invisible in routine health data, which means their needs are often underestimated and not fully addressed.

Background and Historical Context

Before 2024, asylum seekers in Hertfordshire struggled with many barriers to healthcare, such as language difficulties, cultural differences, and not knowing what services were available. The COVID-19 pandemic made these problems worse, causing more isolation, stress, and disruption to support services. Since 2024, local authorities and community groups have worked together to fill these gaps, launching new mental health services, funding programs, and integrated care plans.

Future Outlook and Pending Developments

• Migration Strategy: The new Hertfordshire Migration Strategy, expected soon, will further coordinate and improve support for asylum seekers, focusing on health and wellbeing.
• Diagnostic Centre Expansion: New diagnostic centres, like the one opening in Epping in January 2026, will make it easier for asylum seekers and other vulnerable groups to get tests and treatments closer to home.
• Ongoing Research: Healthwatch Hertfordshire’s research in 2025–2026 will provide more information about asylum seekers’ experiences, helping to guide future improvements.

Official Contacts and Resources

• Flourish Mental Health Service (Herts Mind Network): Contact through Hertfordshire County Council or Herts Mind Network for referrals and information.
• Building Life Chances Grants: Apply through the Hertfordshire Community Foundation.
• Healthwatch Hertfordshire: Participate in research or provide feedback about healthcare experiences.

For more information about asylum support and health services, visit the official UK government asylum support page.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Asylum seekers in Hertfordshire continue to face serious health inequalities, especially in mental health. However, new services like the Flourish Mental Health Service, increased funding for community groups, and ongoing research show a strong commitment to improving support. Asylum seekers should take advantage of these services, participate in research activities, and connect with local groups for help. Community organizations should apply for grants and work closely with health providers to ensure no one is left behind.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes mark a positive step forward, but ongoing engagement and investment are needed to close the health gap for asylum seekers in Hertfordshire. The coming months will bring further updates as new strategies and services are rolled out, offering hope for better health and wellbeing for all.

If you are an asylum seeker or work with this community, now is the time to reach out, get involved, and make use of the support available. Your voice and participation can help shape a fairer, healthier future for everyone in Hertfordshire.

Learn Today

Flourish Mental Health Service → A specialist service starting in 2025 offering mental health support to refugees and asylum seekers aged 16 and older.
Asylum seeker → A person seeking international protection but whose claim for refugee status has not yet been determined.
Building Life Chances Programme → A grant initiative providing up to £10,000 to community groups supporting vulnerable populations including asylum seekers.
Healthwatch Hertfordshire → An organisation that gathers feedback from local people to improve health and social care services.
Integrated Care Board → A regional body coordinating health and social care services to reduce inequalities and improve outcomes.

This Article in a Nutshell

Hertfordshire’s new Flourish Mental Health Service offers early, specialist support to asylum seekers 16 and over. Community grants and research projects enhance access and wellbeing. These targeted efforts address serious health inequalities, marking a vital step forward in inclusive mental health care and support for vulnerable asylum seekers.
— By VisaVerge.com