A group of people with lived experience of UK migration systems have urged charity leaders and funders to take “urgent action” to support staff safety in the wake of the recent anti-immigration riots.

The letter, which is addressed to about 150 charity leaders and funders in the migration sector, calls for sector leaders to support their staff and integrate racial justice into their work.

It has been signed by more than 25 people with lived experience of the migration system, most of whom work for UK charities. 

The letter comes after a number of violent and racist riots, instigated by far-right groups, broke out in several UK cities and towns earlier this month.

Rioters violently attacked police officers and bystanders, shouted racist chants, set fire to mosques and targeted hotels housing asylum seekers. 

But last week thousands of people gathered at peaceful counter-protests in locations where further anti-immigration demonstrations were expected. 

The letter, which has been sent to the leaders of charities including Freedom From Torture, Refugee Action and the Refugee Council, calls for action including measures to improve staff safety.

The letter says: “As individuals with lived experience of the UK migration system and as professionals within the sector, we are appalled and outraged by the racially driven riots instigated by far-right groups across the country.”

The campaigners say that while they have been “heartened” by the recent acts of solidarity, they “remain deeply concerned for our safety, our families and our communities”.

The letter says: “This pressure is especially acute for those of us in leadership roles with lived experience, as we are tasked with caring for our staff, responding to funders and managing the demands of our organisations.”

It says: “Resources must be allocated to support wellbeing, including flexible working arrangements, employee assistance programmes as well as the creation of safe spaces within organisations for individuals with lived experience to share their stories.”

The letter states that many of the protective measures already in place for charities “fall short”, adding that “urgent action” is needed to ensure the safety of all staff, particularly those from minoritised communities and with lived experience.

The writers ask sector leaders to implement robust measures to ensure the safety of all staff, provide flexible working arrangements and ensure adequate support through employee assistance programmes and supervision.

They also ask leaders to promote and support the leadership of people with lived experience and to integrate racial justice into “every aspect” of their work, including by developing comprehensive anti-racism strategies and including racial justice in their charities’ campaigns. 

The letter includes requests for funders, such as asking them to provide immediate emergency funding to address the aftermath of the riots. 

It asks funders to allocate resources for the wellbeing of staff members with lived experience, invest in leadership development for people with lived experience and to hold themselves and the sector accountable for embedding anti-racism in all practices.

The same group also sent a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, seeking a meeting to discuss ways to create a more welcoming and effective asylum system in the UK. 

This letter also asks for action to prevent harmful Islamophobic and racist rhetoric being used by some MPs, to move away from institutional accommodation for asylum seekers and to strengthen online safety.