Reading Refugee group appeals for cash to meet demand
They've also asked for tablets and laptops to help refugees communicate with loved ones
Last updated 13th Sep 2021
Reading Refugee Support Group say they have never been busier and they're ppealing for people to donate cash instead of clothing and household supplies.
The group - which has been supporting refugees and asylum seekers from across the world for over 26 years - says cash can help them employ more staff and fund help such as mental health care.
The group has already been working in partnership with Reading, Windsor & Maidenhead, Wokingham and West Berkshire Borough Councils during the past five years supporting refugees from Syria.
RRSG has supported many refugees from Afghanistan for more than 20 years, but current events in Kabul highlighted by the media have now brought the reality of the tragedy into everyone’s front rooms. At the same time, people from other parts of the world are arriving in the UK and are being accommodated in Berkshire by the Home Office.
CEO, Nick Harborne says clothing is something they can't handle as they don't have storage but he says there is one specific set of items they'd welcome:
"We're trying to fund raise so we can equip everyone with a small laptop or tablet and the internet connectivity not only so they can talk to family and friends but as we all know during covid we've all depended on the internet for all our support services."
Apart from that Nick says cash is really vital for funding mental health support and bolstering their staff numbers:
"A monthly donation of a few pounds whatever you can afford say the equivalent of a up of coffee a month and if we could get a thousand people doing that, that would be enough to turn two of our part-time workers into full-time."
This is how you can help:
• Please do not donate clothes
The support group has been inundated with donations of clothes, toiletries and food, but they don't have the storage capacity to accept any more.
• Donate money
By donating money you can help the group recruit more support workers, hire spaces for more Drop Ins, recruit a Mental Health practitioner to provide proper Mental Health support, and to recruit and manage more Befriending and English volunteers.
• Donate Laptops and Tablets
Internet access is a vital for people to communicate with family and friends that they’re separated from or have been left behind. Donations of Internet ready laptops or tablets are welcome.
• Volunteer Translators
The support group wants to hear from you if you can help. They'll place you on a database and contact you if they need specific help.
• Volunteer Befrienders and English Teachers
The support group say they will need volunteers to help provide Befriending and basic English practice for the families arriving. If you would like to volunteer as a Befriender or helping teach English, please let them know your contact details and they'll add you to our database.
• Accommodation
Some people have offered houses and flats to Afghan refugees. RRSG will coordinate with the local authorities and pass on the details.
Find out more
Details of Reading Refugee Support Group’s Afghanistan Emergency Appeal are here: https://rrsg.org.uk/afghanistan-appeal-2021