Healthcare Navigation Programme.
Scaling GP access and healthcare navigation for refugees and asylum seekers with limited English. We help people register with a GP, understand their rights, and get the care they're entitled to — in their language. 47 people supported voluntarily so far. We're seeking grant funding to scale.
The problem
Refugees are entitled to free NHS healthcare. In practice, most can't access it.
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82.7%
could not register with a GP when they tried
Doctors of the World clinic data
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71%
of GP surgeries unlawfully refuse registration without ID
West Midlands GP Access Study, 2024
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55%
of GPs unsure about refugees' healthcare entitlements
BMA survey
Sources: BMA · Doctors of the World · University of Birmingham · West Midlands GP Access Study 2024
Why the cost-per-registration is low
The hard part is finding the right surgery.
So we built ourselves a directory — all 8,360 NHS GP practices in the UK, with ODS codes, Google ratings on 7,907 of them, and refugee-relevance flags for the ones that unfortunately still ask for ID they're not allowed to require. When someone calls us, the navigator looks up the nearest suitable practice and prepares the registration paperwork in their language.
That's why the £5K tier comfortably funds 100 GP registrations: the lookup happens in seconds, not hours. The same directory also helps with lawyer referrals, charity signposting, and translator handoffs.
See the directoryHow it works
A clear, simple process.
- 01
Contact
Beneficiaries reach us via WhatsApp or Telegram in Russian or Tajik. No forms, no appointments.
- 02
Assessment
We ask a few questions to understand what help is needed and where the person is located.
- 03
Action
We identify the nearest GP surgery, assist with registration, and prepare documents in their language.
- 04
Ongoing support
Continued navigation, appointment support, and interpreter accompaniment as needed.
What we've achieved
All of this on a voluntary basis.
Before any programme funding, our team delivered real results through community trust and personal dedication.
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47
people supported with healthcare navigation
-
40
successful GP registrations
-
5
people receiving ongoing support
-
2
interpreter accompaniments to appointments
"I had been in the UK for eight months. I didn't know I could just walk into a GP surgery and register. Nobody told me. StartNewLife called me, explained everything in Russian, and went with me the next day."
Beneficiary, Tower Hamlets · Name changed for confidentiality
"I was scared to go to the doctor because I thought they would ask about my visa. StartNewLife explained that this is not how it works in the UK. They came with me and I finally got the care I needed."
Asylum seeker, East London · Name changed for confidentiality
Year 1 targets with funding
What we want to build.
-
100
GP registrations
-
50
ongoing support cases
-
20
interpreter accompaniments
-
24/7
SiBot AI on Telegram
For funders
Three tiers. Choose the level of impact.
Every tier builds on the one before. All funding goes directly to programme delivery.
-
Sustain
£5K–£10K/ 12 months
12 months of core programme delivery. Part-time coordinator, volunteer expenses, printed materials in 3 languages, communications.
- 100 GP registrations
- 50 ongoing support cases
- 20 interpreter accompaniments
- Recommended
Grow
£20K–£45K/ 12 months
Everything in Sustain plus: dedicated SiBot AI development, additional language support, sexual health outreach, training programme for volunteer navigators.
- 250 GP registrations
- SiBot live on Telegram 24/7
- 3 new language versions
-
Scale
£50K–£150K/ multi-year
Full-time team, expanded geographical coverage beyond Tower Hamlets, formal NHS trust partnerships, SiBot web platform, asylum casework programme.
- 500+ beneficiaries / year
- 3 London boroughs
- Regulated asylum casework
FAQ
Questions funders ask.
What does "healthcare navigation" mean?
Helping people understand and access the NHS system. Explaining entitlements, finding a GP surgery, assisting with registration (often refused unlawfully), preparing documents, accompanying to appointments, providing interpreter support. We bridge the gap between refugees and the healthcare system.
How much does it cost per beneficiary?
At Sustain tier (£5K–£10K), under £50 per beneficiary for 100 GP registrations + 50 ongoing support + 20 interpreter accompaniments over 12 months. Extremely cost-effective vs downstream NHS costs of delayed healthcare access.
What governance is in place?
Mendee CIC (Co. 15445605), registered Community Interest Company. ICO registered, DBS checked, professionally insured, files accounts with Companies House. Signed volunteer agreements and data processing protocols. Two directors with lived migration experience.
How do you measure outcomes?
We track every beneficiary: GP registration confirmed, appointments booked, interpreter trips completed, ongoing support duration. Clear reporting against agreed targets. We adapt reporting to funder requirements.
Why focus on Russian and Tajik speakers?
Russian and Tajik speakers are largely invisible to mainstream health services. Few organisations provide culturally appropriate healthcare navigation for this community. Our team speaks these languages natively and has built deep trust within our 2,000+ community since 2022. Additional funding expands to other underserved language communities.
Where do you operate?
Tower Hamlets, East London — one of London's most deprived boroughs with significant refugee population. Digital platforms (startnewlife.uk, svoi.uk) serve UK-wide. Scale-tier funding expands physical healthcare navigation to three London boroughs.
For funders
Interested in funding or partnering?
We welcome enquiries from grantmakers, local authorities, NHS trusts, and partner organisations working in refugee health and social inclusion.