The Justice and Peace Refugee Project continues to welcome hundreds of individuals and families who are using our services every month.
We now have nearly 550 clients. Of course, we could not support so many clients without the generous contributions of food and toiletries from parishes, schools and individuals. However, the financial donations and regular contributions that we receive allow the project to keep running. That is why the government’s Gift Aid scheme is something that we urge any tax payer donating money to the project to consider. For those who are eligible it means that, for every pound donated, the Refugee Project can claim another 25p. This quickly mounts up and can make a huge difference over the year. The process is very straight forward – a Gift Aid Declaration Form is available from jp.refugeeproject@diocesehn.org.uk
Our Project Co-ordinator, Azad, continues to engage with different organisations which could be of benefit to our clients. Recently Azad has met with HostNation, a volunteer-led charity finding local friends for asylum seekers and refugees. HostNation offer a simple and informal way to reach out to a lonely refugee. Befrienders introduce them to their city, their culture and their favourite activities. Befrienders say they find it very rewarding. We also continue to refer and signpost clients to other organisations, such as Justice First, North of England Refugee Service, West End Refugee Service, Action Foundation and Recyke Bike.
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. Some of our clients attend more formal college courses, but many of our clients missed the recent deadline to enrol at the college, so we are now trying to engage them in our English classes. We currently have 20 clients interested in attending classes. We are grateful to our dedicated volunteer tutors who welcome clients to learn basic English each week.
We continue to work on the engagement of schools in the Refugee Project. Recently, Azad and some volunteers gave a presentation and conducted activities with pupils at St Peter’s Primary School in Low Fell, Gateshead. We are receiving requests for visits and have made contact with 8 schools. We are pleased to be welcoming several schools for visits in the Autumn term.
Several of our clients enjoyed another Away Day at Haydon Bridge at the end of August. Around 40 mothers, fathers and children took part in a wonderful day organised by the parishioners of St John of Beverley’s Church in their grounds. Clients were given a wonderful welcome and took part in lots of indoor and outdoor activities. They also enjoyed lunch provided by the parish. We are incredibly grateful to the parishioners and project volunteers who organised and took part in these activities and provided our clients with such an enjoyable event and the opportunity to have a break from the difficulties they face in their daily 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 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.
For more details about our work and how you can assist, please contact our Project Co-ordinator at jp.refugeeproject@diocesehn.org.uk or visit our webpage.