Micro Rainbow CIC

Founded in 2012 Micro Rainbow is the leading organisation in the UK supporting the integration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) people who flee persecution and reach the UK in search of safety. Our mission is to create opportunities for LGBTQI people to fulfil their potential in life. We do so by implementing a holistic approach to integration which is based on three pillars: safe housing, social inclusion and employability support.

Safe housing programme: Micro Rainbow runs the only 14 safe houses for LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees in three locations in the UK, providing them with over 20,000 bed-nights free from violence every year. LGBTQI asylum seekers have in the past reported being bullied and assaulted by other refugees with whom they shared accommodation because they held extreme homo-transphobic views. Often they become homeless to avoid such abuse.

Social inclusion programme aims to build friendships and reduce the extreme isolation LGBTQI refugees face. Services include one-to-one support and pastoral care; peer support groups (about 100 a year) that use creative expression (dance, music, visual arts and theatre) to overcome stigma, isolation and past trauma.

Moving on/employability programme. Services include one-to-one support to those who become refugees to access Universal Credit, open bank accounts, and prepare moving on plans; employability workshops on CV writing, interviewing skills, budgeting in the UK and more.

Micro Rainbow manages over 1,000 enquiries and supports between 400-500 LGBTI migrants a year.