Anyone else feels bad? Post Reply

[gemima]

Thank you mums. I work full time so I am time poor. However, I tried to sign up to teach English to Syrians in London on a Satruday morning and I just didn't get anywhere with it (no-one replied to my signing up). I'm happy to help in the best way I can. Please count me in.

[Ariadne]

A great idea!

Can I also recommend this amazing group: http://www.refugeesathome.org

They do amazing work helping Syrian (and other) refugees and are always looking for kind people who might be able to help. I came across them when I was trying to help out a local refugee family. They might be able to help with setting up a local 'hub'.

[syrianchildren]

Sorry ladies, I forgot to tick the notification box. I have to run to a work meeting but will come back with some dates.

I was thinking, rather than collecting clothes etc ( which i assume, maybe wrongly, they will be getting from the millions in Aid the EU is sending) bring to London, a group of children that have no relatives to look after them. I understand the Calais children allowed into the uk are only those with family connections but I could be wrong.

I presume what they need is somewhere safe to live and schooling (as well as food and clothes of course). I have not got space at home but maybe we could find a hall or somewhere and maybe some of us could take turns to look after them? Probably a crazy idea but let's discuss. Will get back to you shortly xx

[Mummyinarush]

What a fantastic response!

There are lots of brilliant things happening in Wandsworth that you can get involved with.

Carmel Dann and Antonia Godber are both fundraising and collecting for refugees in Calais (especially mums and children). They have a fundraiser coming up on the 2nd Dec at the Tooting Tram & Social, 46-48 Mitchan Road. Please buy a ticket!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1861958737371675/

Our local MP Rosena Kahn had been organising collections of clothes and useful items to send to Calais. I understand that there is a need for suitcases now that the French government has decided to close the camp.

Lord Dubs (of the Dubs amendment) is optimistic that the government are now taking action on bringing unaccompanied child refugees who have a right to apply for asylum here (because they already have family in the UK) in to the country. I believe 25 arrived this week.

There is more uncertainty around unaccompanied children who don't have family here, but the government has committed to bring some of them over (how many is unclear).

One of he hold ups is that it's hard to document the support available in this country for newly arrived child refugees. The charity I work for is therefore keen to find a volunteer who could work with us to contact local authorities and local youth organisations across the country and document where there are places available in children's homes, sheltered accommodation or with emergency foster carers. We would also like to document where there is wrap around support available such as experienced youth workers and volunteers who can support children, monitor their progress and ensure adequate safe guarding is in place. We will then share this list with the Home Office to help them plan appropriately. If you would like to get involved, please message me.

Many thanks!!

[syrianchildren]

What about Friday at 1pm at the Nightingale pub? Mummyinarush, can you make it? It would be great for you to tell us how we can help.

I work and have two children but could probably spend up to two full days per month looking after these children if that helped

[MarieW]

I love the idea of finding a hall or similar to bring unaccompanied children to. Anything will be better than where they are now I imagine. Then we can bring people together to help with all kinds of things like bedding, clothes, toys, activities, and set up a rota to look after them. Like somebody said before, it might sound naive but maybe it could also work, and really help. A church hall, a gym hall that's not in use? I'm sure that make shift homes were set up for orphans by volunteers after the first and second world wars et c but do worry there might just be too much red tape to get through today...
I could also devote two days per month to look after the children.

[caroclapham]

After a coffee with a friend last week, discussing what we could do, we have decided to drive to Calais on Saturday 22nd. We will bring suitcases, big bags, food( http://www.calaidipedia.co.uk) and help for a day. We still have space in the car for donations. If you wish to contribute, you can drop donations by my place, I leave off Northcote road, I will make sure it will be properly used.
X

[naf77]

Hi there,

I saw your post and very much feel the same!
Have you organised coffee with anyone, if so can I join? I have a few ideas re collecting money for them.
Let me know. Thanks!

Naz
mobile: 07888897283

[amumtoo]

Hi all,

I have since responding to this thread, familiarised myself with Samara's Aid appeal that was mentioned here and will be making a money donation as a Christmas contribution.
But somehow this doesn't feel enough and I would like to do more - perhaps organise a dinner/Christmas lunch a bit similar to the other example mentioned here (with Syrian relief).

I wanted to see if other people from this thread (and more widely) would be up for it and we could think of finding a venue/restaurant/hall and put something together, either as something we could cook ourselves or not?

I would be happy to start thinking and organising and put something together quickly - what do others think?

[amumtoo]

Hi all,

I have since responding to this thread, familiarised myself with Samara's Aid appeal that was mentioned here and will be making a money donation as a Christmas contribution.
But somehow this doesn't feel enough and I would like to do more - perhaps organise a dinner/Christmas lunch a bit similar to the other example mentioned here (with Syrian relief).

I wanted to see if other people from this thread (and more widely) would be up for it and we could think of finding a venue/restaurant/hall and put something together, either as something we could cook ourselves or not?

I would be happy to start thinking and organising and put something together quickly - what do others think?

[Bodders1]

If anyone ever needed convincing of the need to help this video "Remember Aleppo" from AJ TV is very impactful and heart breaking beyond belief. I sobbed watching the prem babies being pulled out of their incubators. Unfortunately it is so hard to know what can be meaningfully done but there are lots of brilliant ideas on this thread.
https://www.facebook.com/ajplusenglish/ ... f=NEWSFEED

[windywellington]

Good morning,
Samara's Aid appeal are currently collecting winter clothes to send over to Syria, and there is a local collection in Balham next Friday 9th and Saturday 10th December. Please see the pdf below for more details and contacts:

chrome-extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/file:///C:/Users/Jo/Downloads/Syrian_Refugees_-_Basic_List_of_Needs%20DEC%202016%20-%20LATEST.pdf

[amumtoo]

Thanks for the heads up windywellington!
I follow Samara's aid appeal on Facebook too and found the contact for a Balham collection point hello@balhamvineyard
I have asked them for the address and will drop off a donation pack as soon as possible.
The email address suggested here wandsworthwelcomesrefugees@gmail.com is good, Fleur is the lead campaigner and she replied immediately. They're also organising activities in Wandsworth - sign up.
The social fundraiser in tooting tram and social is also on, tomorrow I bought 2 tickets for that (but don't think I'm going as no babysitter).
The Wandsworth welcomes families update mentioned a screening of a film by Vanessa Redgrave at the battersea arts centre on 18 December i got 3 tickets and will be going.
If anyone is around tomorrow morning I'd love to meet up and share thoughts? Pm me if you're free

[naf77]

Hi everyone on this thread Just to let you know another mum and I met up for coffee this Friday to talk about how we can take this further and raise money etc. We thought it would be good if we all could meet sometimes in Jan to discuss things further and perhaps arrange a fundraising event of some sort. If interested please PM me. Thanks!

[sarahjlevans]

Hi there

A work colleague has set up a fund to raise funds in order to provide blankets for refugees currently living in camps in Jordan.

The blankets cost £7 each and it would amazing if NappyValley could help provide support to this amazing cause.

https://www.gofundme.com/syrian-refugee ... fundraiser

Thanks

Sarah