People in the BBT network rallied swift, invaluable and generous practical responses to a call from Red Cross – to support the arrival and welcoming of a mother and children arriving under the Red Cross refugee family reunion scheme.
People from the BBT network linked in to lend driving and English language support to some refugees families settled in the South Hams.
Special call for item donations to Open Hearts Open Borders (http://ohob.org.uk/about/) – the amazing Plymouth organisation that ships containers of urgently needed humanitarian aid and essential items to refugees affected by conflict. They are currently still collecting items for a 40ft container going to Greece early September.
Donations of following key items (these specifically requested, before end of August) can be left on Mondays and Fridays ONLY at The Exchange, 76 High Street, Totnes TQ9 5SN (c/o Suzanne)
Nappies – Sizes 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6; Wet Wipes; Toothpaste; Shaving foam and razors; Rolls of Bin Liners; Washing up Liquid
The New Union Flag Project
– at Totnes Market Square OR pavement outside St. Mary’s Church, High St. on Friday 28th and Sat 29th July.
As we rally support to asylum seekers and refugees from different parts of the world – and recognise the diversity of histories already in our community in South Devon, Beyond Borders Totnes and the South Devon Refugee Support Network are glad to welcome to Totnes the Arts Council-funded, touring New Union Flag Project
By artist Gil Mualem-Doron it aims to re-imagine the Union Jack, acknowledge and celebrate the communities that contributed to the UK’s cultural legacy. Re-created with fabric designs from all over the world the New Union Flag transforms the traditional Union Jack from an architype of uniformity – to a dynamic and celebrated on-going performance of diversity. Piloted in 2015 the project has already engaged thousands of people through gallery exhibitions (Turner Contemporary, Tate Modern, South Bank Centre, People’s History Museum – Manchester, Liverpool Museum), numerous cultural events, schools, festivals, rallies and workshops.
The New Union Flag project includes an interactive installation, photo-shoot with visitors and “Your Diversity Flag Workshop”. The photos of the participants are uploaded to the sites below and can be download for free.
More about the project, and the artist Gil Mualem-Doron you can find here:
http://www.a4community.org/
Facebook: The New Union Flag
Refugee Week 2017
The Beyond Borders’ Totnes market days street collection for the Red Cross Family Reunion project raised nearly £1000
The British Red Cross Family Reunion programme – Plymouth
Those who have been granted Refugee Status or Humanitarian Protection are entitled, under international law, to bring their immediate family to join them in their host country. The British Red Cross Refugee Support Service working out of Plymouth, in partnership with the Plymouth University Law School Law Clinic has a project designed to help refugees living in Plymouth and the South West to exercise these rights.
Family reunion entitles a spouse or partner and dependent children under eighteen to join the member of their family who has been granted official refugee status here.
The British Red Cross has a Family Reunion Travel Assistance programme able to support the arrangements and cost of applicants flights into the UK. But funds are urgently needed for family members to obtain the necessary and required visas, DNA and TB tests (and travel to access these in difficult, dangerous circumstances) in order to be granted entry. These can come to hundreds of pounds per person – impossible for many living destitute, displaced by war.
The majority of refugees here seeking reunion are men and the majority of applicants to join them are women and children – whose vulnerability in insecure or armed conflict environments is universally recognised.
If you would like to share it you can download the Refugee Week Poster here.
Cascade of Caring meals held in people’s homes raised several hundreds of pounds for Luck of Birth refugee project created by local Totnes people in Thessaloniki in Greece.
Facilitators for Activities with Integr8 in 2017
From Jan 7th 2017 Integr8 is starting monthly reunions in Dartington for previous programme participants. These will be from 11am – 4pm at weekends, comprising two activities – one from 11.15am – 12.45pm, the second from 2.45 – 3.45pm. The aim of the activities is to promote well-bring, connection and enjoyment, for adults and accompanied children.
Do you have the skills and ability to offer to run any of these sessions? Saif Ali would love to hear from you!
FROM SYRIA WITH LOVE ART EXHIBITION AT KEVICCS
EXHIBITION
JAN 4 – 18th at Ariel Centre
Presentation Jan 6th
Totnes Citizens UK are hosting an exhibition of artwork by children in refugee camps in Lebanon. On 6th January, Baraa Kouja the Founder of the charity From Syria With Love, will offer a presentation on what life was like in Aleppo before the conflict. All of the profits from sales of the artwork and the recently released book will go directly to buy food, clothes and medical treatment for the refugees.
Please come and support this event.
BREAKFAST CAFE, Sunday February 5th 2017 10am
SOUTH BRENT REFUGEE SUPPORT NETWORK
Old School Community Centre, South Brent
All welcome to this fundraising cafe with music, in aid of local refugee initiatives!
Beyond Borders Totnes & District 