Signpost: new tool to help asylum seekers and refugees in London
Source: Thrive LDN, 21 November 2025
A new digital tool named Signpost has been launched to help support the health and wellbeing of asylum seekers and refugees in London.
Signpost is a free, wellbeing email service. It offers a simple way to provide individuals with a regular flow of helpful, important, and supportive information. It is designed to aid frontline staff, practitioners, and anyone supporting those who have recently arrived in the UK support those seeking sanctuary.
Thrive LDN is proud to have led this close collaboration. We have worked alongside our partners, Doctors of the World, Refugee Action Kingston, the London Borough of Newham, Nicola Lester Psychological Trauma Consultancy, Greater London Authority Health and Migration teams, and Clarity in Marketing, to bring this project to life. The project is supported and funded by the Mayor of London.
How to access Signpost
Practitioners wishing to subscribe individuals (with their consent) can do so via the Signpost landing page on our website.
Why was Signpost developed?
The new tool is a direct outcome of research we conducted earlier this year. Between March and May, Thrive LDN and Peace Collective CIC worked together to explore how communities affected by displacement and crisis are accessing mental health resources in London. Their report highlighted a clear need for more accessible, proactive communication, which has led directly to the development of Signpost.
How does it work?
Signpost is designed to be a simple, effective new resource for local authority and voluntary and community sector partners supporting those seeking sanctuary.
Practitioners can support individuals to subscribe and then receive a regular flow of automated emails. This ensures that people receive consistent, gentle, and supportive information in between their in-person appointments or other touchpoints.
Once subscribed, an individual will receive a sequence of emails over approximately a three-month period. To avoid overwhelming recipients, each email is designed to deliver just one single, clear message.
The content, which was co-developed by all the partners, covers crucial themes such as:
- Looking after your wellbeing
- Navigating health services
- Practical skills for living in the UK
- Community connections and local activities
The name ‘Signpost’ was chosen for its clarity and accessibility. The information is primarily London-wide or includes links to national resources, though some localised services are also included and will be added over time.
To build trust and provide a safety net, every email contains a standardised footer. This includes links for urgent help (like emergency services and mental health support lines) and the logos of all the partners involved.
A tool for all of us
Nobody’s mental health and wellbeing should suffer because of who they are or where they live. This initiative is part of London’s wider commitment to supporting all communities.
As the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, wrote in the Guardian, “Now, more than ever, we must resist the forces of division and unite to build stronger, kinder communities where we can live together in peace.”
Signpost is a practical tool to help put that vision into action.
Dan Barrett, Thrive LDN director, said: “Waiting for an asylum decision is an incredibly uncertain time. Signpost is designed to be a regular, supportive voice, providing practical help and wellbeing resources directly to people’s inboxes.
“We warmly encourage all London partners and frontline teams to explore this new resource. It’s here to complement your vital work, providing an extra layer of consistent support for the people you assist.”