Food and toiletries
Many of the people we work with have had their asylum claim refused. This then means that they can't work or access mainstream benefits. We therefore provide a weekly food allowance of £25 per week to enable people to buy the food and other basic items that they need.
For many years we also ran a monthly Free Shop where people could choose from a range of bought or donated food and toiletries. This volunteer-led monthly drop in was stopped during the Covid-19 pandemic.
After the pandemic, we have asked the people we work with and they have shared that they would prefer to continue to receive cash instead of us re-starting our Free Shop. Having the money means that people can choose to buy whatever they like and they can make sure they are getting the best prices. They can also shop for specific items they may require due to having certain health conditions, which may limit their diet. It also saves time and money in travelling to the office, and then struggling back on the buses with a bag (or bags!) of food.
At certain times of the year, we will still accept donations of food, toiletries and other seasonal items and we will advertise this on our social media and newsletters.
In the meantime, if you are interested in making a financial gift to specifically ensure that people are able to buy food and other basic essentials, please click here and add a note in the box saying that you would like to contribute towards food costs.
Items for houses
From cookers to washing machines, and beds to wardrobes, we are often on the look out for good quality items for our shared houses. If you have something that you think we might be interested in, please let us know, and keep an eye on our twitter feed and our Facebook page for specific requests.
Give Today
We now also have a partnership with Give Today, a community interest company that fuels local charities and non-profits with vital resources. You can choose specific items to buy via our page on their website - click below to browse the list and donate something that is needed.