Fernando, Young Leaders graduate

“As a Young Leader, I’ve been part of powerful campaigns that challenge the hostile environment and push for safe and legal routes for people seeking asylum.”

My name is Fernando, and I’m one of Safe Passage’s Young Leader graduates.

When I first joined the Young Leaders programme, I didn’t know what to expect. I thought maybe I’d attend a few meetings, share some ideas, and that would be it. But very quickly, I realized this wasn’t just a symbolic role. This was a space where my story, my voice, and my ideas actually mattered.

As a Young Leader, I’ve been part of powerful campaigns that challenge the hostile environment and push for safe and legal routes for people seeking asylum. Because behind every statistic, there is a story. A child forced to flee war. A family split across borders. A young person who dreams of going to university, but instead is stuck in limbo waiting for a decision on their asylum claim. And too often, these stories go unheard or are misrepresented. That’s why the work we do as Young Leaders matters.

I came to the UK as an asylum seeker 3 years ago. I have had to restart my life in a new and completely unfamiliar world. I have had sleepless nights with the feeling of missing all my friends and family, but, without even looking for it, I found Safe Passage—that beacon of hope that made me realise that not everything in this world is lost.

I have met extraordinary people, full of dreams and passion, who have taught me how to be a better person. I have developed real skills that are and will be helpful to me in any branch of life. And because of that, I am extremely grateful to be part of this whole movement that, I hope, will inspire many, many more young people in the same situation as us.

When I first joined, I was nervous. I wasn’t sure if my voice would matter. I wasn’t sure if anyone would listen. But from day one, I realised that this wasn’t just a programme—it was a community. A space where lived experience was seen as expertise. A space where we weren’t just invited to the table—we were asked what shape the table should be.

But more than anything, I’ve grown. I’ve learned to speak up with confidence, to lead with empathy, and to believe that my ideas can create real change. Being a Young Leader isn’t just about advocacy—it’s about transformation. It’s about carrying pain and turning it into purpose.

IThis programme has shown me that I am not alone. That we are many. And that together, we are unstoppable. To the future Young Leaders: keep speaking up. Your voice is powerful, and the world needs to hear it.