About StartNewLife UK

Who we are

StartNewLife is a free information resource for Russian-speaking refugees, migrants and displaced people in the United Kingdom. The project is created and maintained by Mendee CIC — a Community Interest Company registered in England and Wales.

Mendee is a dual-structure social enterprise based in London. StartNewLife operates through the CIC structure and is funded exclusively by grants and donations. Commercial services live in separate projects with their own economics — they are listed in the "Ecosystem" section below.

All content is produced by volunteers and staff across 7 languages: Russian, English, Ukrainian, Kazakh, Uzbek, Tajik and Kyrgyz.

What we do

• Free directory — 15,000+ verified contacts from official UK registers: Legal Aid lawyers, GPs, interpreters, housing organisations
• Asylum process guides in 7 languages — from first interview to appeal
• Telegram channel @startnewlifeuk (2K+ subscribers) and a live-moderated chat
• SiBot — free AI assistant, answers questions about asylum, NHS, NI Number in 7 languages 24/7
• Reporting Hub — 12 pages on how to complain about detention conditions, Serco/Buddi, 13 accommodation centres

What we do NOT do

• We do NOT provide immigration advice — we are not accredited immigration advisers under Section 84 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. We help you find a free accredited adviser.
• We do NOT charge fees — all materials, directory and AI assistant are free.
• We do NOT share your data with third parties without your explicit consent.

The Mendee ecosystem

StartNewLife is part of the broader Mendee ecosystem. Each project is independent with its own economics:

Legal status

Contact us

• Email: hello@snluk.org
• Telegram: @startnewlifeuk
• Address (post only): Workspace Lock Studios, 7 Corsican Square, London E3 3YD

We do not accept walk-in visitors without a prior arrangement.