During lockdown Peaceful Borders received some donations to use for emergency provisions for refugees and asylum seekers. We were able to provide emergency food parcels and vouchers in London and partnered with Anabaptist group Theo Sa Kanto who were doing the same in Tondo, Manila.
Emergency tents and sleeping bags were bought in Calais and Dunkirk and cooking equipment was bought for a family in inadequate accommodation in London. A family separated because one parent was diagnosed with Covid-19 were provided with an additional phone so they could communicate. 2 young people were provided with Tablets and 3G so they could continue their studies and we helped to fund the repair of a child’s hearing aid.
As restrictions have begun to ease we have funded 2 recovery BBQs for the north London Hopetowns community to provide support and friendship after such an isolating period.
Throughout this time we have continued to campaign with Safe Passage to ensure current safe and legal routes for children continue after the Brexit transition period. There have been many knock backs, but we continue to insist that Channel crossings will only increase if the legal routes continue to be poorly implemented or, worse, dropped in the event of a no-deal Brexit. You can sign up to support this campaign at https://www.safepassage.org.uk/campaign
We don’t know what shape Hopetowns will take in the future as so few people can meet together in an enclosed space, but our Refugee Support Workers continue to offer valuable one-to-one assistance and support.