The Justice and Peace Refugee Project continues to welcome hundreds of clients who use our services every month. We continue to register new clients weekly from many different places in the world. We also continue to receive referrals from Action Foundation and the North East Refugee Service, so our services are vital for those facing hardship.
Your donations of food, toiletries and financial support continue to be vital to the project’s success. Items most urgently needed can be found here.
In addition to providing food, toiletries and access to clothing and SIM cards from the SVP, we always try hard to respond to clients’ queries and to point them in the right direction to receive the support that they need.
We have recently resumed referrals to Recyle Y’Bike, a North East charity that specialises in refurbishing donated bicycles in order to provide bicycles to our clients. This service was suspended for several months, so we are pleased that it has resumed. Azad, our project co-ordinator has also had a meeting with JET, a charity that will be supporting those with refugee status with employment opportunities and advice. A representative from the charity will be attending the project every two weeks to support clients who have leave to remain.
We continue to be concerned about several clients who, having been granted leave to remain, are finding themselves homeless. The SVP and the project are providing these clients with sleeping bags and signposting them to County Council housing services.
Recently, Azad, our project co-ordinator and Rebecca, the SVP centre manager, had a meeting with Mary Glindon, the MP for Newcastle East and Wallsend to discuss this issue with her.
Several of our clients attended a Welcome Event hosted by Newcastle city of sanctuary at the Newcastle United Foundation at the NUCASTLE venue on April 17th. The event was an opportunity for our clients access various services.
The Justice and Peace Co-ordinating Council AGM will take place on 9th May at the Conference Room, St Mary’s Cathedral from 10.00am to 3.00pm. A report on the work of the Justice and Peace Refugee Project will take place in the afternoon.
After many years of dedicated and faithful service, the Treasurer of the Co-ordinating Council is standing down from the role. A new Treasurer is currently being sought. The role is mostly connected with the work of the Justice and Peace Refugee Project and offers a meaningful way to contribute to its continued mission. For more details about the role, you can contact the current Treasurer at marjory.knowles@diocesehn.org.uk
As you may be aware, there are two Bank Holidays in May, on 4th and 25th May, so the project will not be open on these Mondays for deliveries. However, we will be available to receive deliveries on Fridays during these weeks should you wish to bring donations in.
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 – a Gift Aid Declaration form is available here
For more details about our work and how you can assist, please contact our Project Co-ordinator at jp.refugeeproject@diocesehn.org.uk