November 8, 2011 / by lucy / Make A Comment / Filed under Asylum, Destitution, Housing, News
From 1st November this year, the Boaz winter night shelter has begun again- it doesn’t feel like 6 months since the last one closed, but there you go! The Boaz night shelter, accommodating up to 12 male asylum seekers each night in seven different locations around the city, is a unique and much-needed resource for the most desperate street homeless asylum seekers in Manchester.
Suzannah is the latest person to join the Boaz team, and she has the task of overseeing groups of volunteers at each of the seven churches that are participating this year, as well as managing referrals into the shelter itself. She is a great asset to the team and we’re enjoying having her in the office most days!
This year we have seen 9 men supported so far through the night shelter- some have come every night, others have only stayed for 1 night. Each person has a different situation, but all are refused asylum seekers, who have no recourse to public funds.
We’re hugely grateful to all the volunteers who have been so dedicated to the cause, and also to the British Red Cross who have provided the majority of the funding for the shelter this year. Without this support we would have really struggled, so thank you!
Interview with Suzannah to follow… watch this space!
October 18, 2011 / by lucy / Make A Comment / Filed under Events, Housing
We’re really excited that a team of 15 volunteers from St Mary’s Church in Sale, Manchester, will be joining the Boaz Trust next week for their annual mission week.
The team (which will be different each day) is going to be doing loads of different stuff, including DIY in some of our houses, helping with the monthly Free Shop, running a coffee morning (with an African music workshop and more!) and taking clients out on day trips.
They are also running our biggest Boaz Dinner Party on Saturday 29th October, with an estimated 100 guests, which is amazing. We’re very grateful to them for their interest and enthusiasm about working with asylum seekers, and can’t wait to see what next week will bring!
October 3, 2011 / by lucy / Make A Comment / Filed under Destitution, Events, Housing, News, Training
Since we began back in 2004, hosting destitute asylum seekers has been a major part of our provision. It is particularly significant in emergency cases or for more vulnerable clients.
Boaz hosts generously offer their spare rooms as a safe place for an asylum seeker to stay for days, weeks or even months. It is a truly remarkable and life-saving service and we’re very grateful to each and every one!
Our network is currently operating at capacity, with 10 clients being accommodated in this way. As a result, we’re looking to expand our hosting network to enable us to help a greater number of vulnerable people.
If you would like to find out more about hosting with Boaz please join us for a Hosting Information Evening on Monday 17th October at 7.30 p.m. at 110 Oldham Road, Ancoats M4 6AG.
For further details or to let us know that you are planning to come, please contact Cat Arundale on 0161 202 1056, or email her by clicking here.
Finally, please feel free to download one of our info posters to display in your church or community centre! Just click on this link for the PDF copy (or contact Cat to get one sent out):
Hosting evening poster
