The Justice and Peace Refugee Project reopened in early January after the Christmas break, following a very busy December. Over recent weeks, we have received many contributions of food, finance and clothing from supporters and parishes, for which we are most grateful.
Our Project Co-ordinator, Azad, recently visited St Mary’s School in Longbenton with one of our volunteers to speak in assembly, where they were given a very warm welcome by staff and pupils. This was an opportunity to thank the school for the huge number of hampers they donated to the project, for which we are most grateful. Thank you to all those who contributed so generously and showed such care for those in need in our community.
Nearly 500 clients received support from the project during December. New clients continue to register with us each week from many places in the world, with large numbers from Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Palestine, Colombia and Afghanistan recently. We really do need your continued support over the coming months. Items most urgently needed can be found here.
The Pope’s prayer intention for January was for children of migrants, refugees and those affected by war, particularly that their right to an education will always be respected. At the project we welcome many clients with children and young babies. The SVP provide different activities to entertain the children and also with good quality second hand clothing, whilst, in addition to food and toiletries, we provide clients with babies with formula milk and nappies. We also signpost clients to organisations that can support them with school admissions.
Our clients always appreciate the fresh food we are able to obtain, so we are pleased to have recently registered with FareShare for weekly food collections. This is in addition to the supermarkets from whom we regularly collect. Azad, our Project Co-ordinator, continues to make links and signpost clients to other services that will be of benefit to them. Recently several referrals have been made through the Recyke charity that provides bicycles to clients and to Action Foundation who offer a range of advice and support to clients.
We continue to rely on the generosity of individuals and parishes for donations for which we are incredibly grateful. As we continue to support more than 500 clients and their families each month, financial support for our work is also essential. Details of our bank account (DHN Justice & Peace Refugee Project) can be found on our webpage. Please consider Gift-Aiding your donation, if possible, it makes a big difference. You can download and submit a Gift-Aid Declaration form for a single or multiple donation. Visit our Donate and Gift Aid page now.
For more details about our work and how you can assist, please contact our Project Co-ordinator by email: jp.refugeeproject@diocesehn.org.uk or visit our webpage.