We are re-launching the Destitution Working Group, with a meeting planned for next Friday, 9 Sept, 2.00-4.00 p.m. at SCVS, 7 Walter Rd., SA1 5NF. Do would read this email and let us know if you can come or would like to be involved but can’t make the meeting. Also, we need more people so please pass this on and invite anyone you think would be interested to contribute.
To give you a bit more detail, SHARE Tawe, our voluntary hosting scheme, has been going from strength to strength. Destitution has been getting worse, so more people have been approaching the scheme needing help, but there have also been many more people volunteering to share their homes and help in other ways, especially since the refugee crisis has become a daily feature of our media diet. The number of destitute asylum seekers hosted on an average night has gone up from 4-5 to 8-9. During 2015 the scheme accommodated 17 people. Stays ranged from 3 days to 11 months and added up altogether to 1732 bednights. This year is on course for this figure to be closer to 2500.
Local fund-raising has been quite successful, especially our mini-sponsored walk earlier this year. But the increased numbers hosted mean we spend about £800 per month on bus passes and other expenses, so our funds will run out by early 2017 at the current rate.
And there are other ideas we haven’t been able to follow up – more links with legal support and move-on services; Share-a-Meal”; etc. etc.
All in all, we need a revived support group – could it include you?
If you want more detail about the meeting, or other ways you might like to be involved please email: [email protected]