We’re so excited to share the details of our new seasonal fundraising campaign with you.

This winter, we’re asking you to Stand With Refugee Families as they struggle to make ends meet against the backdrop of an increasingly hostile environment.

And for the fourth year running, our appeal is being backed by our friends at the Aviva Community Fund, meaning every pound donated up to the value of £250 is doubled. That means every donation you make will have twice the impact.

Because every family deserves hope 

Life is tough for people trying to start new lives here. Not only does the cost-of-living crisis continue to bite, but the anti-immigration protests on our streets and outside asylum hotels have had a profound effect on our clients.

People seeking sanctuary in the UK are expected to live on as little as £7 a day. When factoring in essential items and transport, this isn’t enough to make ends meet and pushes many families well below the poverty line.

One mum of three told us:

“I have to spend £36.50 on bus tickets just to get my boys to school each week. I use the local food bank but the cost of everything is so high, it’s very hard to live.”

How your support will help

Children from our Young Lives service

This year we’re raising funds to stand with and support refugee children and families in the North East who are facing financial hardship.

We will do this through services like Young Lives, which offers emotional and practical support to children and families. In the last year we engaged 322 children and young people in positive, regular activities and supported 92 families.

Our Language & Learning service provides free English teaching, digital skills and employment to parents so they’re able to integrate and gain work to support their families.

This year our InterAction team launched a new women-only Drop-in, where mothers can come along with their children and receive casework support and socialise with others.

And our Accommodation team works hard to ensure families can reunite. Last year we helped arrange six family reunions for people whose relatives were in other countries.

With support from generous donors like you, we can do even more.

Here’s what your donation could do

£5 could buy a hot meal for a single parent visiting our InterAction Drop-in

£10 could pay for a weekly travel ticket to our free Employability classes

£20 could buy a school starter kit for a newly arrived child

£50 could purchase a new set of warm bedding for a child in supported accommodation

£100 could provide lunches for a young person attending activities, preventing holiday hunger

£250 could buy a space in supported accommodation for  a month, giving someone a place to stay until family reunion

Other Ways to Help

We realise not everyone is able to make a personal donation, but there other ways to help our appeal.

Why not organise a Christmas jumper day in your community group or workplace or hold a festive bake sale or other fundraising idea of your choice, then donate the proceeds through our Crowdfunder and the amount will be doubled? Don’t forget to tell us what you get up to and we can give you all the support you need. Email [email protected]

Spread the word about the campaign with friends and family and share our posts on your social media groups.