Home for our Charity

Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far!

At our drop-in, we've been bustling with activity lately! Welcoming more asylum seekers than ever, the church hall often finds itself bursting with stories, laughter, and the occasional tear. But as our numbers grow, so do the challenges. Packing up at the end of each session can feel like a whirlwind, especially when we know some of our visitors need more time for heart-to-heart chats. That's why we're crossing our fingers for further funding so that we can sign a lease on Aspen House. We are also applying to fund an Office Manager, ensuring there's always a friendly face around to lend an ear. Every week our we get comments like this... “While we were in all the problems, sadness and emotions we experienced in our own country, you became a big brother and a sister to us. You have alleviated our pain; you have solved our problems. That's why we can't thank you enough”

This month, we've been all about celebrating. From honouring the incredible strength of women on International Women's Day to gearing up for a circus extravaganza for Red Nose Day, performed by a family of circus artists who have just been given the right to remain here. Our latest funding came from CDCF for gym memberships for asylum seekers dealing with stress-related back pain and anxiety. Already, we're hearing tales of improved moods and newfound confidence, all thanks to a few laps in the pool or a session on the treadmill. How amazing it would be to run keep fit classes from our new Home!

In between all the hustle and bustle, we're cooking up something special. Thanks to funding from the National Lottery, our Multicultural Cooking Project is in full swing. Picture this: asylum seekers from seven different corners of the world, swapping stories and recipes as they whip up their favourite dishes. And in six months' time, we'll throw open our doors and invite the neighbourhood to feast on our creations, spreading the love and flavours of our diverse community.

Last but not least, our partnership with Newcastle University is making waves, quite literally! We're helping qualified dentists seeking asylum in Darlington get one step closer to practicing in the UK. With a shortage of NHS dentists in our neck of the woods, this collaboration is a game-changer. We’ve been in the news with it https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clmjmyz2153o And who knows? Maybe one day soon, we'll be opening the doors to our very own community dental practice. But for now, we're just grateful to be making a difference, one smile at a time.

 some of what we have been doing last year in a nutshell

• 971        hours of contact by 30 Mentors
• 960        hours of English language tuition by 20 tutors
• 102        hours of drop in with 11 volunteers
• 46          bicycles requested and distributed thanks to Sustrans

Links:

• the need for Dentists - our appeal