uk volunteer network - new!
why are we needed in the uk?
Refugees have to live on just £45 a week. Usually, they are not allowed to work, so they are absolutely desperate. They are given accommodation but that’s it! Someone has to furnish material help – a bed, wardrobe or settee – clothes. Plus many cannot speak or read or write English so they need ongoing help navigating the scary and strange world they find themselves in and everything that involves: forms, emails, documents, vouchers and appointments.
what are our 2023 plans?
This year we are launching a Calais Light UK Volunteer Network covering Kent, Essex and part of London. We will be closely working with a number of UK-based refugee charities, and we need active UK volunteers, new & old, to step forward and help.
what will we do?
UK Calais Lighters will undertake everything from explaining documents to booking appointments to driving and sometimes, well, just listening & befriending. We need proactive, committed, ‘can-do’ people who are both enthusiastic and sympathetic. You have to realise the language barrier is a huge obstacle which prevents refugees settling in to a new life & getting what they need - so being prepared to overcome that ( Google Translate/good humour) is vital.
If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear more from you.
why now?
After travelling to Calais 20+ times in 7 years, it’s clear to us that we must also help the thousands of migrants who have arrived in the UK as well as the migrant population in N. France. In short, the need for volunteers has transferred to the UK
successes so far
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Calais Light has supported Libby, a young mum with premature twins with baby clothes & kindness for 3 years. She’s now in her own home with full refugee status.
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We’ve donated hijabs, furniture, bikes, helmets, school bags, even Christmas trees to 20 families in the Essex area.
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We have registered refugees with doctors, taken them to appointments & got teenagers into school