Being Helped and Helping Others

“For me the phone top up is really important because it enables me to communicate with people around me. I buy bundles which give me minutes and data. It means I can speak with JRS, for help with getting medical care, with my family and friends who live nearby. When someone I know is having a difficult time, I can call and help, and they do the same for me.”

The words of a refugee friends to one of our destitution team when they were chatting about the importance of the mobile phone top-ups.

During the COVID pandemic, when our face-to-face services were forced to close, mobile phones became central to the way we accompany refugee friends. We are now providing some face-to-face appointments and support again, but the importance of phones, and the availability of data and call credit, remains critical.

Each month we top-up around 321 refugee friends phones with £10 of essential call and data credit.

Phones enable refugee friends to connect with JRS’ services. They provide support for critical basic needs; offer an ear to listen; access to expert legal advice; and activities to share skills and foster the experience of joy

This Advent please consider a donation so that destitute refugees get the help and support they need, and are able to offer help and support to others.

Donate today

Waiting and Dreaming

Many of the 350 refugee friends registered with JRS UK at any given time experience years if not decades of waiting for their leave to remain. That wait is characterised by unsuitable, insecure accommodation and even homelessness as well as a lack of necessities, including nutritious food and adequate clothing.

These inhumane conditions often lead to the development and/or exacerbation of physical and mental health problems.  And while the pandemic has eased somewhat since last Advent, many of our refugee friends are dreading the coming winter, which they fear will bring more isolation and anxiety.

And yet, with the support of JRS UK’s range of services, including food, toiletries and clothes from the JRS Shop, phone credit and hardship grants, expert advice from the destitution, legal and detention staff, our refugee friends can lead more secure and comfortable daily lives.

And, through a variety of activities such as drama, poetry writing, and creative arts, refugee friends can develop their artistic and creative sides and begin to dream about their future aspirations.

While some of these activities are gradually being reintroduced in-person, others are still being conducted online, which for many of our refugee friends requires significant phone data.

Your donation today will not only ensure that our refugee friends lead more secure and comfortable daily lives but have the mental and emotional space to dream about a hopeful future for themselves and their families.

Please donate today to support refugees dream whilst they wait.

Donate today