Asylum seekers in the UK are given just £5.28 every day to live on*, to help pay for things like food, transport, clothing and toiletries. For many asylum seekers this results in further extreme hardship.

Human rights students at the Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law, and the Students’ Union have encouraged other students and staff at the University to take part in the 528 Challenge and to try and live on just £5.28 a day in the lead-up to Human Rights Day. 

A Virgin Money Giving page has also been created which will allow people to donate money

Jack Fossey, Welfare Officer at the Students’ Union, said: "The aim of our 528 Challenge is to highlight the plight of asylum seekers. The money raised will be donated to the Discovery Project, a Swansea University-based charity that supports a number of projects working with asylum seekers."

Katy Vaughan, a lecturer at the College of Law and Criminology, added: "The amount asylum seekers are given to live off is pitiful, and often leads to asylum seekers becoming destitute. The amount is so low we think people will find it impossible to manage, which is exactly the point of the challenge." 

At the end of the 528 Challenge, students will meet with asylum seekers in an event organised in conjunction with Swansea City of Sanctuary, an organisation committed to building a culture of hospitality and welcome, especially for refugees seeking sanctuary from war and persecution.

“During the event we will bring students and staff together to meet asylum seekers to hear first-hand experiences of asylum seekers living on £5.28 a day”, said Eleri Williams, Development Worker at Swansea City of Sanctuary.

For those who would like to register to take part in the 528 Challenge, email: HRD528challenge@outlook.com. 

To donate money to the 528 Challenge, click here. 

To follow the 528 Challenge team’s experiences, search for #HRD528 on Twitter.

*Figure obtained from Gov.uk