Most migrants can participate in civic, political and public life regardless of citizenship, nationality, immigration status or visa status. Even if one cannot vote, there are different routes to getting involved in a meaningfully way. 

Joining a local faith group or helping to run a sports club, for instance, can help migrants connect with others and gain new skills and confidence. It can also be a stepping stone to other opportunities to engage and voice concerns, such as writing to your elected representatives, setting up a migrant association, or working in the public sector.

Migrant communities have diverse experiences and knowledge of participation. Some people may have been very active in political and public life of their country of origin, while others may have had little exposure. For many—particularly new arrivals—navigating the UK’s systems can feel complex. Whatever the starting point, there are three key ways migrant support organisations can help: 

• Developing migrants' foundational knowledge by explaining how UK systems work
• Deepening migrants' engagement by encouraging different ways of getting involved
• Building migrants' leadership skills and confidence to participate

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