Author: Bookseller

This week is Refugee Week, so we spoke to Kim Gowland from Host Nation MCR about the ways that folks can do more to help those seeking refuge around our city and strengthen their community.

How long have you been going?

HostNation is a national charity working in London, Tyneside and Greater Manchester. We have been working in London since 2017 and in Greater Manchester since 2022.

What has been the greatest reward since being with the charity?

We connect socially isolated sanctuary seekers (asylum seekers and refugees) with volunteer befrienders.
Through careful matching with friendly residents, we aim to give refugees a positive experience of our cities, a pathway into our communities and a relaxed space for practising their English. So far we have made 900 friendship matches nationally and around 100 in Manchester!
As one of two Manchester Hub Managers, I find it so rewarding to make a great friendship match. To find a friend for a sanctuary seeker who might be lonely or isolated, or simply really wanting to integrate into life here, understand more about British culture or explore Manchester is a joy. When myself or my colleague Cara see friendships blossoming, and our refugee friends growing in confidence, feeling a sense of belonging and having fun with their new friend, that is so rewarding.

How can people get involved?

We are always looking for new befrienders in Manchester. If someone has a few hours each week to spend with a refugee or asylum seeker, is friendly and kind, and willing to commit to a minimum of three months to meet up, they can apply to to be a HostNation befriender here : https://www.hostnation.org.uk/befriend
We will get in touch and support through a very straightforward and supportive process to make sure they have what they need to volunteer with us. Our volunteers tell us what a rewarding experience being a befriender is, they really appreciate the flexibility that this experience offers, and the matches often lead to lifelong friendships!

Any big things happening within your charity in the next month you’d like to shout about?

17-23 June 2024 is Refugee Week, so a great time to volunteer to befriend with us, but we welcome volunteer befrienders all year round.

Recommended reading for Refugee Week can be found here

Visit Host Nation website here

Host Nation MCR Facebook

Host Nation MCR Twitter

Host Nation MCR Instagram

Our ‘Give-A-Book’ scheme this month is going to The Joshua Tree, a Northern charity that offers support for families affected by childhood cancer. They tailor the services to suit the family’s specific needs, by means of emotional and practical support, such as counselling, play therapy, health and well-being advice, support in and around the home and educational engagement where required to help ensure that life remains as normal as possible during an incredibly traumatic time.

We spoke to Richard, the CEO, about what the charity has been up to and how folks can get involved and help.

How long have you been going?

The Joshua Tree was founded in 2006 by Lynda and David Hill after their son, Joshua, was diagnosed with leukaemia. Josh is now a healthy young man and is currently studying Health and Fitness to help more young people overcome the effects of childhood cancers.

What has been the greatest reward since being with the charity?

It is a huge privilege to work for the charity and the greatest reward is knowing we are doing all we can to support the emotional, health and wellbeing of families affected by childhood cancers. We are hugely proud about the positive impact we have on those we support.

How can people get involved?

We take referrals from any family affected by childhood cancer and provide a wide range of support. We also have opportunities for people to volunteer with us, take on fundraising challenges or donate through their business.

Any big things happening within your charity in the next month you’d like to shout about?

The charity is growing this year, and we are recruiting new staff, setting up a new office in Manchester and crucially providing support for more families across Cheshire, North West England and North Wales.

If you would like to pay for a book to go to the Joshua Tree, you can do so in-store or online here.

The Joshua Tree website

TJT Facebook

TJT Instagram

TJT Twitter

Deaf Awareness Week 2024 takes place between 6-12 May, so we spoke to Claire at the Manchester Deaf Centre to find out how the centre is celebrating this week, and how the local Mancunian community can get involved in helping out.

How long have you been going?

Manchester Deaf Centre was established in 1846, originally known as Manchester Institute for the Deaf. The British Deaf History Society are based in our centre, and have lots of resources, books and documents for anyone interested in learning more about deaf history – we recommend a visit!

What has been the greatest reward since being with the charity?

For me, the biggest reward is seeing groups of deaf people of all ages meet every week in our centre, finding community, sharing language and experience, learning new skills, accessing opportunities and experiences they may not without MDC, and embracing a positive deaf identity.

How can people get involved?

We welcome volunteers to be involved in our work, more information here Manchester Deaf Centre – Volunteering. We also encourage everyone to learn some British Sign Language, we have a range of courses here – some of which are free for Manchester residents like the Manchester Deaf Centre – BSL courses for individuals.

Any big things happening within your charity in the next month you’d like to shout about?

For Women’s History Month, we are spotlighting ‘Women for Refugee Women’, a registered charity who work to help women seeking asylum and refuge. We spoke to Carenza Arnold, Communications Director for the charity, about what work they have been doing and how folks can get involved with the cause.

How long have you been going?

Women for Refugee Women has existed for over 16 years and has supported thousands of refugee women in this time to rebuild their lives; to share their experiences and stories to the media, at events, and through the arts; built a strong community of compassionate and committed activists; and achieved real change to the asylum system in the UK.
Women for Refugee Women supports women seeking safety in the UK to rebuild their lives on their terms. Our creative and educational activities, such as English, drama or yoga, provide a warm and welcoming space where women can connect, build friendships and develop their skills and confidence.
We centre the women in our network in everything that we do. Through supporting women to share their experiences to a wide range of audiences, we seek to build empathy and understanding, and to ultimately make change to build a fair and compassionate asylum system for women seeking safety.
Every woman who is forced to cross borders for her safety deserves a chance to rebuild her life.

What has been the greatest reward since being with the charity?

The greatest rewards are in the everyday: Witnessing women grow from being shy and speaking little English, to performing original poetry to a huge audience; hearing news of women being granted their refugee status after a long wait; women progressing into college, university or employment; dancing and laughing together often.
We work in an extremely hostile environment and the women in our network have survived unimaginable trauma and violence, and have more harm and pain inflicted onto them by the asylum system in the UK. It is therefore vital that we celebrate joy where we can, build deep connections, and lift each other up. We’re stronger together and we’re often told that WRW feels like a family. I’m proud of that.

How can people get involved?

Sign our pledge to Welcome Every Woman to become part of our community of activists making the UK a better place for women seeking safety.
Donate to support our work. £10 can enable one woman to attend one of our creative and educational activities – which makes a real difference.
Our activities wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers! Keep an eye on our website for volunteering opportunities.
And follow us on social media @4refugeewomen to keep up to date with our work, events and campaigns.

Any big things happening within your charity in the next month you’d like to shout about?

March is a busy month for Women for Refugee Women with International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day.
We’re celebrating IWD with a party for the women in our network. There will be plenty of food, music, performances and dancing!
On Thursday 7th March 12:30pm, our drama group will be performing their new poetry series ‘Lost and Found’ at the Southbank Centre. The poetry will explore their individual lives through childhood and into adulthood.
Throughout March we will be sharing stories of motherhood from women in our network on our blog.
Join us to take action! There are currently fewer than 100 women in immigration detention in the UK, so the Government could end their use of detention now. However, they continue to cruelly detain women seeking safety – which inflicts huge harm to women who have already survived so much.

Our letter to the Home Secretary has already received cross-party support. Write to your MP now to help us reach even more MPs so the Home Secretary is forced to listen.