Dear supporters,
The terrible news from Ukraine reminds us that there are many people around the world fleeing war and devastation. It can sometimes feel that we are helpless, but experience shows that we can and do make a difference.
Asylum Welcome applauds the public’s generosity in offering to host Ukrainians. We know this isn’t as straightforward as it can seem; we see our job as helping hosts and arriving families to manage this relationship successfully.
As Ukrainians arrive, we are offering an ongoing service to help hosts and guests get it right. This will combine online, telephone and face-to-face support in local communities; it will involve advising, signposting, and helping many groups to support the hundreds of hosts across the county.
Ukraine dominates the news in the way that Afghanistan did last summer. But just as we supported (and still do) the hundreds of Afghan arrivals, we don’t want to assist one group in need at the expense of another. We must and will continue to help refugees from many less publicised wars and regimes. We therefore need to extend our work and need your help to do so. To support our work please click here.
With your support, we can and do help every person who turns to us in need. Every year we help people fleeing conflict from all around the world. This includes help to provide legal advice, gain access to medical support, learn English, learn IT skills, and access our food bank. Our work makes a real difference to people’s lives.
Last year, we directly helped 1,351 clients, but we are expecting to support close to 2,000 this year (and it may be many more if refugees from Ukraine arrive in large numbers). One person we helped was Aleah.* Aleah came from the Middle East not Ukraine, but she also escaped horrific violence. Thankfully Aleah is now in Oxford. This is her story.
Our ability to support clients like Aleah is only possible because of the continued concern, solidarity, and support of people like you.
A few years ago, we saw war break out in Syria, last year it was Afghanistan, this year Ukraine. We can respond much better if we are strong, prepared, and consistent. Events in Ukraine are changing by the day and our workload is likely to dramatically increase, I’m certain.
Please help if you possibly can by clicking here. We would welcome any support that you are able to give.
If you have not already, would you please consider making a regular donation by setting up a standing order? If you can, please take a moment to contact your bank to make your gift an ongoing commitment – it can only be done on your instruction. Alternatively, you can choose to make a regular donation here. Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated. This really helps us plan for the future and remain resilient.
Put simply, our regular donations don’t increase each year unless we ask.
We cannot run our wide programme of support without knowing that we have regular income for the charity. A few years ago, we saw war break out in Syria, last year it was Afghanistan, this year Ukraine. We can respond much better if we are strong, prepared, and consistent. Hence the need to fund a small group of staff who can leverage volunteers and public support effectively. I’d be so grateful if you can help us in this way, although of course we would welcome any donation you are able to make at this time by clicking here.
Events in Ukraine are changing by the day. Our workload is likely to dramatically increase, I’m certain. Please do help if you possibly can. We would welcome any support that you are able to give.
With kind regards and deep gratitude,
PS. As we begin welcoming Ukrainians your help is needed more than ever. If you want to discuss making a regular donation or any other fundraising issue, please email Gilberto at fundraising@asylum-welcome.org. Thank you.
*Name changed to protect identity
With the hostile Nationality and Borders Bill and the Ukrainian and Afghan Crises, we need your support more than ever!
There are several ways you can help Asylum Welcome:
• Express your solidarity with all Ukrainians and civilians seeking to escape the Russian invasion and support our call for the UK government to open its borders to all individuals seeking safety.
• Make a donation here.
• Please donate food to Asylum Welcome’s Food Bank: food@asylum-welcome.org
• We urgently need laptops and tablets to support clients’ home learning and to help them to stay connected. Please visit our Laptop Project for more info and email laptops@asylum-welcome.org if you can donate one.
• We also urgently need bicycles. Cycling empowers asylum seekers and refugees to travel freely and independently, in an environmentally friendly way. Please visit our Bike Project for more info and email bike@asylum-welcome.org if you can donate one.
• Become a member.
• Volunteer with us here.
• Share this newsletter with your friends and family.
