JOINING FORCES
As we are a small charity, we strive to increase our impact and outreach through a growing number of fruitful partnerships with like-minded organisations.
We regularly bring our HostNation matches together to share experiences and celebrate friendship.
Social integration is essential to our mission, and our refugees and their befrienders tells us how much they welcome these opportunities to meet other friends in a relaxed setting.
London
In London we hold a bi-monthly supper club for refugees and their befrienders (above), thanks to our mutually rewarding partnership with the American International Church (AIC). We help them fulfil their refugee outreach programme in Camden, and they host our events for guests of all faiths and none.
“Thank you for a wonderful partnership over the last year. We are grateful for every meal shared, connection made and fun chat had at our supper clubs.” Brooke Rowan, AIC London
The AIC have also linked us with social food enterprises, musicians and volunteers from their congregation as well as London Business School and ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, the Black American Women’s sorority. They also grant us central London space for our board meetings. They are great supporters of our project and we are deeply grateful to them.
Manchester
In Manchester we enjoy an excellent relationship with the House of Books and Friends (pictured), a cosy bookshop and cafe space with a mission to combat loneliness and social isolation. It is a perfect fit for us and we hosted two very joyful gatherings there in 2024 for our local friendship matches, as well as making many introductions in their welcoming cafe.
We have recently built a partnership with RHS Bridgewater in Salford, and took a group to a wellbeing session, with more to follow. Their team have also offered our friends the opportunity to book free self-guided visits for wellbeing.
Tyneside
In the North East we hold joint events with the Comfrey Project in Gateshead, a wonderfully supportive environment where refugees and asylum seekers undertake activities in a community garden and allotments. Volunteering combines with gardening, beekeeping, language lessons and skills sharing.
A standout event with Comfrey Project was a barbecue to celebrate Refugee Week, held in their community garden (pictured). Everyone enjoyed the lovely weather and dancing to live bands!
Resources for refugees
Glorious gardens: We have community membership of Kew Gardens, which allows for up to 60 free visits. A trip to this wonderful outdoor space can really boost the wellbeing of asylum seekers and refugees, many of whom are housed in very cramped accomodation.
Free bikes: In London we link with the Bike Project and can refer two people per month for a free, refurbished bike and the option of a Bike Buddy or city cycle training. This is a resource our refugee friends really value and we always have a waitlist.
Animal magic: Our London Zoological Society membership is highly popular, allowing us to purchase low-cost tickets and give our friendship matches a free day out at London Zoo.
Digital inclusion: A number of our refugee friends have this year benefited from ScreenShare, an enterprise focused on bridging the digital divide by getting refurbished laptops, smartphones and data cards to refugees in need. This can make a huge difference to their ability to study, work and stay on top of their day-to-day administration.
We're so grateful for all these wonderful partnerships that allow a small charity like us to extend our reach and bring more opportunities to refugees, to help them integrate into our communities and enjoy full and nourishing lives here in the UK.
This story is taken from our latest Annual Report. Read more about the impact we're having: