Jesuit Refugee Service UK

Who we are

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) accompanies, serves and advocates alongside and for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. JRS in the UK supports people made destitute by the asylum process, through advice and casework, practical support, emotional befriending and accompaniment, a programme of creative and therapeutic activities, accommodation, and specialist legal advice.

JRS UK also runs a detention outreach service supporting people detained for the administration of immigration procedures at Harmondsworth and Colnbrook, including befriending, social visiting, and casework support.

JRS UK undertakes research for advocacy to policy makers, alongside communications and community outreach, to raise awareness of the situation facing asylum seekers and to argue for a change in policies that undermine their rights.

JRS UK is based at the Hurtado Jesuit Centre in Wapping, East London. We currently have 31 full and part-time staff and around 100 volunteers, drawn from a wide variety of backgrounds, nationalities and generations; people of all faiths and none; including refugees, young graduates and members of religious congregations. This diversity of perspectives and experience is a source of strength for our work. We work collaboratively with JRS offices around the world, other Jesuit projects in the UK and many others in the church and wider refugee sector.

Our culture and values

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international Catholic organisation with a shared global mission to accompany, serve and advocate alongside and for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. JRS’ work is based on hospitality, carried out in a spirit of compassion and solidarity, encouraging participation and community, aiming to kindle hope, secure justice and affirm the dignity of refugees and forced migrants. JRS' values and ways of working are rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and Jesuit (Ignatian) spirituality: JRS actively encourages reflective practice and participative decision-making at all levels of the organisation, as well as investment in, and care for our staff and volunteer teams.