As we move into March, the news seems to be dominated with stories of conflict around the world, with many people being displaced from their homes. According to the UN Refugee Agency, the global refugee population reached 43.7 million by mid-2024, an increase of 1 per cent from the end of 2023. Many of the world’s refugees have remained displaced for several years. The Justice and Peace Refugee Project continues to provide a warm welcome and safe space for people seeking asylum. There are new clients registering every week, with world events impacting where our clients come from at different times.
The project works closely with the SVP to support those in need. In addition to working collaboratively with us to respond to requests from our clients for clothes and household items, the SVP also supplies us with additional food for our clients, for which we are most grateful.
In 2024, the project gave out 14,123 food bags to clients. We receive donations of food and toiletries from parishes across the Diocese every week and we purchase food supplies with the generous financial donations we receive. In addition to this, we are continually looking for extra sources of food and toiletries for our clients. We now collect food from Aldi and Sainsburys in various locations and our clients appreciate the fresh food items that this provides.
In another initiative, a group of volunteers continues to develop increased engagement with local schools. Recently a group of pupils from St James’ School in Hebburn visited the project. Volunteers organised a range of activities for them, including a tour of the project, bag packing, a PowerPoint presentation and discussions with volunteers. This initiative aims to develop awareness among young people of the issues in relation to those seeking asylum and to let them know about the project, the people it supports and how they can support them.
We are aware at the Project of the importance of our clients gaining the ability to speak English to help them to integrate into their new communities. We are grateful to our dedicated volunteer tutors who welcome clients to learn basic English each week. Volunteers provide information to all new clients about these lessons and they have been of benefit to several clients. We also signpost clients to more formal and accredited courses when they become available.
We are always happy to hear the news that a client has been successful in their application for asylum and that they have been granted leave to remain. Recently a family who had joined us for our Away Day trip in the summer shared the news that they have been granted refugee status and would be moving with their family to Glasgow. They wanted to thank all the volunteers for their kindness. We wish them well as they start a new chapter in their lives.
We continue to rely on the generosity of individuals and parishes for donations for which we are incredibly grateful. Items most urgently needed can be found here.
As we continue to support so many 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.