Easter Monday saw InterAction Manager Kate Townsend out delivering 12 delicious portions of curry and rice donated by Newcastle’s My Delhi restaurant to some of our destitute clients living in Action Foundation’s supported houses.
Shah Amin, from My Delhi Newcastle
Elahi Amin from My Delhi provided dishes of authentic Biryani which he thought would be a nice wholesome and nutritious meal for people.
‘Supporting people’
He said: “We are committed to working with organisations who are supporting vulnerable people in this very difficult time. We chose to work with Action Foundation because your work is very important; supporting people who are fleeing their homelands to get a chance at a better life.”
“In some cases we know they’re leaving their families, their children to a foreign country which cannot be easy. And in these difficult times, it must be even harder for them.”
Elahi added: “We love what you guys do and what you stand for.”
‘Appreciated the support’
After Elahi had dropped the meals off with Kate at CastleGate, she headed off to take the meals to clients living in four of our supported houses as well as some vital cleaning supplies.
Kate told us: “Our clients are a mix of men and women, young and old, from all over the world who have come to the UK to claim asylum, but have been refused, putting them at a high risk of homelessness with no recourse to public funds.”
Vegetable Curry from My Delhi Newcastle
“Everyone was very grateful and appreciated the support. We had to shout from the pavement so no long conversations, but we did get a ‘Happy Easter’ shouted from the window, and I had a conversation with one of our Senegalese clients who was very grateful.”
Resilience
We asked Kate how the beneficiaries are coping so far…
“Everyone in our accommodation is very glad for frequent contact and knowing that they have someone on their side. Through our Covid-19 Crisis Support, we know that some people are isolated or struggling to survive on a very low income – half the weekly statutory sick pay – and we have tried to support these with food, phone credit or regular phone calls. However, we are working with an incredibly resilient group of people and this is reflected in their ability to cope.”
“We’re really grateful to My Dehli for offering us this food, so that we could deliver some free hot food to people. The curry also made my car smell amazing! Thank you!”
Find out how YOU can help vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees cope with the Coronavirus crisis
