ARRIVAL PACKS
When separated children and young people arrive in Britain, it is almost always at the end of a difficult, demanding and often dangerous journey, and they lack even the most basic necessities of life. Arrival Packs are duffle bags crammed full with toiletries, a towel, socks, underwear, clothing, an umbrella, non-perishable snacks and other essentials. Gloves, a hat and a scarf are included in winter. Our Arrival Packs project is proving to be very effective: for the separated children and young people who have already received one from us, it has made a simple but important difference to their everyday life.
We distribute Arrival Packs through our partnership with the Refugee Council, local authorities, refugee organisations and providers of accommodation for unaccompanied minors.
We're enormously grateful to our supporters who donate goods or the funds to buy items in bulk at good prices. With the benefit of generous donations, careful shopping and volunteers giving freely of their time, we can produce an Arrival Pack for as little as £13 in the summer and £16 in the winter.
We also very much appreciate help from The Big Yellow at Staples Corner, which kindly provides us with space to store the goods and to assemble Arrival Packs.
SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES
'Club Class' was launched in July 2010, as a cross between a club and a class: a weekly educational, social and cultural programme for up to 30 separated young people aged 14-18 that includes refreshments and supper, and pays the participants' travel expenses. Initially based in London NW8 and lasting from 4.30 to 7.30 pm on Wednesdays, it's run by two youth workers Egerton Gbonda and Laura Maxwell, who are experienced in engaging with young people who are refugees or seeking sactuary. It has the support of a 'Separated Child' trustee, as well as volunteers. The facilities that New London Synagogue graciously offered free of charge - and was willing to do indefinitely - were perfectly suited to the Club Class programme but the location proved difficult for young people to reach after school or college. So...
In May 2011, Club Class moved to the Refugee Council in Brixton (south London) where it could be extended to two sessions a week - Mondays as well as Wednesdays. We are delighted to be able to fund a youth activities worker, Matthew Court, to work with Laura and Egerton, and for a larger number of young people to be able to attend Club Class.
Throughout the year, Club Class offers a range of activities to teach arts and life skills (including cooking), to help young refugees improve their English and to provide homework support. Over holiday periods, there are excursions that focus on getting to know and enjoy London; these have included a river cruise, boating and playing cricket in Regents Park, a trip to London Zoo and another to Madame Tussaud's.
For more information and to join 'Club Class' - or recommend a young person for it - please write to contact@separatedchild.org
Our funding of a youth activities worker at the Refugee Council makes a range of life-enriching events, programmes, short trips and residential experiences possible.
We're working towards extending this kind of provision to other places where there would be courses in language, sport, life skills and citizenship, as well as informal advice and counselling, and invaluable opportunities for company, meetings and friendship.
'THE ESTER CINEMA CLUB'
Ester Gluck raised funds for film and music equipment to be used in the youth club run by the Refugee Council at their national headquarters in south London. It has now been named in her memory. The Separated Child Foundation is pleased to support the club by funding the annual licence for showing films and is willing to fund similar clubs elsewhere.
GIVING SEPARATED CHILDREN A VOICE
Young refugees need to be able to communicate with each other and to make their views and voices known in wider society through projects that enable and empower them to tell their stories and to reflect on their experiences, needs and hopes. Channels for such communication include newsletters, art work, magazines and video diaries. This material provides a vivid record and a creative educational resource.
BEFRIENDING
This involves adults 'adopting' (in the style of an aunt, uncle or godparent) separated young people over the age of 16, offering friendship and invitations for meals and outings.
SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION FOR THOSE AGED 16-18
Separated young people in this age group are often housed inappropriately in hostels or bed-and-breakfast, where they may be physically and emotionally vulnerable. Suitable housing is a desperate need.