A new pan-European study from the UKPTS and partners aims to explore the support needs and challenges faced by clinical care teams who work with refugee and asylum-seeking populations.
The number of refugees and asylum seekers arriving in the EU and UK has increased considerably in recent years due to issues relating to armed conflict, climate change and forced migration (Eurostat, 2025; UK Home Office, 2025).
Refugees and asylum seekers report high levels of trauma exposure and can experience a range of physical and mental health problems (Blackmore et al., 2020; Jowett et al., 2021; Patanè et al., 2022). Despite these significant needs, many face barriers to accessing appropriate support (Asif & Kienzler, 2022). Funding to healthcare services are increasingly cut and the support available through charities and third sector organisations can vary.
“This study offers valuable insight into the day-to-day realities faced by those supporting refugees and asylum seekers, helping shape better care and workforce sustainability.”
– Prof Dominic Murphy, ESTSS
It remains unclear whether professionals working with refugees and asylum seekers feel sufficiently trained and supported to meet the complex needs of these populations. To address this gap, King’s College London, in collaboration with the UKPTS and ESTSS, is conducting the HOPE study to address this gap.
HOPE study aims
The study aims to highlight effective practices, identify gaps in current support services, and explore potential resources and training opportunities for professionals. It is hoped that the findings will help professionals continue to care well for refugees and asylum seekers in increasingly challenging circumstances.
“The HOPE study is a vital step in understanding the realities faced by clinicians and support workers working with refugees and asylum seekers across Europe. By listening directly to their experiences of delivering care, this EU-wide collaboration will help us strengthen how we prepare and care for the workforce, ultimately improving the quality and sustainability of trauma-informed support for refugees.”
– Dr Victoria Williamson, UKPTS
Call for participation: professionals’ perspectives needed
We are seeking professionals with direct experience working with refugees or asylum seekers, who have had at least one professional interaction in the last 12 months. Taking part involves completing a short, anonymous survey that includes questions about your own wellbeing, perceived training needs, and the challenges of working with displaced populations.
To participate, please go to: www.surveymonkey.com/r/HOPEstudy1. If you would like additional information, please contact the team on research@combatstress.org.uk
Some words from across the HOPE EU collaborators
“The H.O.P.E. study makes it possible to examine the obstacles and challenges involved in providing care for refugees and asylum seekers at the European level, to learn from this, and to develop solutions at the practical and societal levels. This makes the HOPE study an important tool for the future care of this group, but also for the training of healthcare professionals. I am very pleased to be able to contribute to this.”
– Dr Maria Böttche, Germany
“Providing high-quality care to refugees and asylum seekers is challenging, particularly when decision-makers lack a clear understanding of the realities on the ground. However, my experience is that by pooling our knowledge and experiences, both positive and negative, a much better result is achieved. Mistakes can be avoided and good experiences can be shared. Working together also decreases the feeling of loneliness and can build bridges between professionals in different countries and settings.”
– Dr Ferdinand Garoff, Finland
“Understanding the experiences and needs of professionals working with refugees and asylum seekers is essential for strengthening trauma-informed care across Europe. The HOPE study represents an important collaborative effort to identify challenges, training needs, and opportunities to better support both the workforce and the populations they serve.”
– Prof Maria Bragesjö, Sweden
““Professionals who work with refugees are very close to the difficulties and challenges these clients face. Such professionals also usually have a strong sense of what refugees need most. In this international HOPE study, we want to hear the voices of professionals working with refugees and asylum seekers in various European countries, with the aim of improving understanding of how to provide the best care.”
– Dr Odeta Geležėlytė, Lithuania
“The HOPE study represents a vital step toward a deeper understanding of the experiences and challenges faced by professionals working with refugees and asylum seekers across Europe. By gathering empirical data from diverse national contexts, the project contributes to the development of trauma-informed practices and strengthens the capacity of support systems.”
– Prof Atanas Atanasov, Bulgaria
