• In 1996, LRV spoke about asylum seekers and destitution in a conference organised by London Borough Grants (now Association of London Governments).
• In 1999 LRV gave evidence on the House of Commons Special Standing Committee on the 1999 Asylum Bill. 18 MPs were present. This was the first time a refugee, the chair of LRV, gave evidence at a standing committee of the House of Commons.
• In 2003 London Refugee Voice collaborated with European Council of Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) in a pan European project. The project aimed to strengthen the participation of refugees and refugee community organisations in European asylum policies and programmes by promoting debates and through dissemination of information.
• In 2003 LRV has been active on lobbying and campaigning against the proposed ‘zones of protection’ where countries such as Jordan could host refugee camps, although human rights abuses in that country are widely publicised. The UNHCR came to consult on proposal for “safe camps” in developing countries and were faced with a lively discussion and debate.
• In 2004 LRV also voiced its concerns against Section 55 and legal aid cuts alongside Law Centres and Refugee Legal Centre, among many other UK asylum policies and procedures which do not reflect the needs of this vulnerable people.
• In 2005 LRV has been voicing its concern about the impact of Section 4 and Section 9. We have held meetings and have joined other campaigners to emphasise our concerns as refugee community organisations that are often the people who pick up the pieces.
• LRV forum members participate in a range of decision-making committees voicing refugees’ needs, i.e. Asylum Rights Campaign., Asylum Aid, Bail for Immigration Detainees etc.
• In 2007 LRV commissioned a report ‘Strengthening the Voice of Refugee Community Organisations within London’s 2^nd tier Voluntary Sector: Barriers and Opportunities’ in order to strengthen LRV’s ability to understand how it can advocate for the development and implementation of policies and services relating to refugees and asylum seekers.
• In 2008 LRV has formed a partnership with Refugee Council, in particular with their Policy Department and their BASIS project to work together in promoting Refugee and Asylum Seeker issues and identify any gaps in services.
• In 2009 LRV and the Refugee Council held a meeting to discuss the tremendous cuts from the traditional funders like the London Councils and its impact on RCOs. LRV is planning to undertake a research project which will go to RCOs and their communities to establish how they have been affected and the impediment on their activities due to loss of funding and how this impact on the integration of refugees in their host communities. The aim of the project is to influence policy by producing an evidence-based paper and to help empower RCOs and individuals communities towards integration and social inclusion. Refugee Council will be our strategic partners.
• In 2009 LRV has become a board member of ‘London City of Sanctuary’ to address Refugee and Asylum seeker issues in London.
• In 2009 LRV has formed a partnership with MIND to assist RCOs with Mental Health Advocacy for Refugees and taken part in training on Mental Health Advocacy for Refugees.
• In 2009 LRV is taking part in Refugee Council’s Empowerment Project to develop a campaign in partnership with other organisations to tackle destitution.
• In 2009 LRV is taking part in the BIHR’s Poverty Project to use human rights to strangthen our voice and influence policy makers

LRV has played an important role in advocating and campaigning for the fair and humane treatment of all asylum seekers who come to the U.K. to seek protection.

Over the years LRV has participated in the development of policy with a variety of statutory sector organisations and departments who valued the voice of refugees in the development and implementation of their work.

LRV has also been involved in lobbying and campaigning on behalf of refugees and asylum seekers and has also worked with organisations and agencies working with refugees and asylum seekers to ensure that services are appropriate to their needs.

Although LRV had limited resources it has been able to achieve the following: