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Fundraising from Portsmouth High School Sixth Form
It was an honour to receive a cheque for £10,150.48 from Portsmouth High School Sixth Form girls, who have over the past year worked tirelessly fundraising for Friends Without Borders. They hosted events from fashion Shows, music events, dance events, selling ice cream and hot chocolate to name a few inventive ways the girls fundraised. We can't thank enough the team headed by Annalee Macfarlane, Alex Cells, Holly Love, Juhi Miah and Anisa Rahman Choudury and all the staff for joining in and facilitating these activities. These girls are truly amazing people and they have so much empathy and understanding at such young ages. They will go far in society with these tremendous attributes and we are truly grateful to them for choosing FWB as their charity to support.
Walk to Hilsea Lido
Michael Woolley - our Honorary Chairperson
Dear Friends,
It is with sadness that we inform you that Michael Woolley, our colleague, friend and honorary chairperson passed away, at home on Sunday evening at 6pm.
Coleen writes: "Michael was a champion of our clients, volunteers and supporters. His passion and desire to improve the lives of clients never wavered and my life, and those of many, is richer for having known you. Never to be forgotten."
For those of you who knew Michael, thank you for all the love and support you have extended to him and to Friends Without Borders over the years. We will mark his passing at the Drop In on Thursday with a few moments of silence (all are welcome to join us) and once we have the opportunity to discuss between ourselves and with Michael's family, we would like to find a more permanent way to remember him.
For those of you who have not met Michael, or for those who wish to feel close to him at this time, you can read a tribute to him by Coleen in our most recent Annual Report here.
With all our love,
Bryony, Veronica and Coleen, on behalf of the Trustees
Friends Without Borders
It is with sadness that we inform you that Michael Woolley, our colleague, friend and honorary chairperson passed away, at home on Sunday evening at 6pm.
Coleen writes: "Michael was a champion of our clients, volunteers and supporters. His passion and desire to improve the lives of clients never wavered and my life, and those of many, is richer for having known you. Never to be forgotten."
For those of you who knew Michael, thank you for all the love and support you have extended to him and to Friends Without Borders over the years. We will mark his passing at the Drop In on Thursday with a few moments of silence (all are welcome to join us) and once we have the opportunity to discuss between ourselves and with Michael's family, we would like to find a more permanent way to remember him.
For those of you who have not met Michael, or for those who wish to feel close to him at this time, you can read a tribute to him by Coleen in our most recent Annual Report here.
With all our love,
Bryony, Veronica and Coleen, on behalf of the Trustees
Friends Without Borders
Farlington Marshes - walk with friends
Following the success of our walk in July. Trustee Lia worked with our volunteers and friends to plan a walk at Farlington Marshes.... for those of you know the area well, this wasn't straightforward - how to use public transport, roundabout challenges (particularly on a bicycle), how long the walk would take. But the planning paid off!
The walk took place from 12 noon on Saturday 18th September 2021. People could join the walk by either meeting Lia at the Hard at 10.30, Jan at the city centre at 10.40, Anita at Carnegie Library at 10.45, Rosy at Portsmouth College car park at 11am with their bikes and to cycle to meet us or to meet us at Farlington Marshes at 12 noon. Amazingly it worked and we all met up and the weather was extremely kind, warm and not too windy.
There were twenty nine of us altogether. Twenty three adults and six children. We stopped for our lunch at about one and having asked people to bring a picnic or food to share if able, there was a wonderful variety, home cooked stuffed vine leaves, cakes, sandwiches, fruit and raw vegetables, there was enough for everyone including those who hadn’t brought any. And there wasn’t too much - most of the food was eaten.
There were spare binoculars, we were looking like regular ornithologists with the help of Peter, one of our volunteers. We saw a Little Egret, a Common Moorhen, a Coot, a Godwit, Seagull and Starlings and more.
We talked, chatted, shared stories strengthened friendships and made new friends. News and information of of events and opportunities were shared.
It was late September and there were masses of small very tasty blackberries. The containers for lunch went home full of blackberries.
We hope to plan another walk in November. We hope that you'll join us! Thank you to all our friends who helped to organise this, including Anita from Action Asylum (supported by Portsmouth City of Sanctuary).
The walk took place from 12 noon on Saturday 18th September 2021. People could join the walk by either meeting Lia at the Hard at 10.30, Jan at the city centre at 10.40, Anita at Carnegie Library at 10.45, Rosy at Portsmouth College car park at 11am with their bikes and to cycle to meet us or to meet us at Farlington Marshes at 12 noon. Amazingly it worked and we all met up and the weather was extremely kind, warm and not too windy.
There were twenty nine of us altogether. Twenty three adults and six children. We stopped for our lunch at about one and having asked people to bring a picnic or food to share if able, there was a wonderful variety, home cooked stuffed vine leaves, cakes, sandwiches, fruit and raw vegetables, there was enough for everyone including those who hadn’t brought any. And there wasn’t too much - most of the food was eaten.
There were spare binoculars, we were looking like regular ornithologists with the help of Peter, one of our volunteers. We saw a Little Egret, a Common Moorhen, a Coot, a Godwit, Seagull and Starlings and more.
We talked, chatted, shared stories strengthened friendships and made new friends. News and information of of events and opportunities were shared.
It was late September and there were masses of small very tasty blackberries. The containers for lunch went home full of blackberries.
We hope to plan another walk in November. We hope that you'll join us! Thank you to all our friends who helped to organise this, including Anita from Action Asylum (supported by Portsmouth City of Sanctuary).
Refugee Tales Walk of 2021 - Saturday 3rd July
On Saturday 3rd July we will walk together and share tales as part of Refugee Tales Walk of 2021.
The walk will take us through the militarised landscape in Gosport, past the site of the prison that was used most recently as an immigration and removal centre.
We will take a route that passes the various military bases and the hospital, then along the coastal wall up to Fort Monckton, before heading back up to the Gosport Ferry (about 2hrs of walking, Hard to Hard & time for lunch).
The idea behind the walk is to think about the relationship between the everyday environment, militarism and forced migration. Together we will celebrate our global community and take steps towards a future without immigration detention.
If you would like to join us, meet at the Hard 10:50 with money for the Gosport Ferry and some lunch. If necessary, we will split into groups of 30. If you can let us know in advance that you're joining us, that would be great - email chair@friendswithoutborders.org.uk
#RTStepChange
https://www.refugeetales.org/the-walk-of-2021
The walk will take us through the militarised landscape in Gosport, past the site of the prison that was used most recently as an immigration and removal centre.
We will take a route that passes the various military bases and the hospital, then along the coastal wall up to Fort Monckton, before heading back up to the Gosport Ferry (about 2hrs of walking, Hard to Hard & time for lunch).
The idea behind the walk is to think about the relationship between the everyday environment, militarism and forced migration. Together we will celebrate our global community and take steps towards a future without immigration detention.
If you would like to join us, meet at the Hard 10:50 with money for the Gosport Ferry and some lunch. If necessary, we will split into groups of 30. If you can let us know in advance that you're joining us, that would be great - email chair@friendswithoutborders.org.uk
#RTStepChange
https://www.refugeetales.org/the-walk-of-2021
Annual General Meeting - Tuesday 22nd June 6-8pm
11 June 2021
2020 has certainly been a year to remember in so many ways, and it has been a challenge, however it has brought about changes which have opened us up to thinking and doing things in different ways. We look forward to updating you about our activities and support for our clients during 2020, welcoming Stephen Morgan MP who will offer his reflections on the current situation for people seeking sanctuary in Portsmouth and volunteers for the Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group, who will give us a sense of their Refugee Tales project.
If you are interesting in attending, please contact chair@friendswithoutborders.org.uk for a copy of the registration details. The meeting will be held using Zoom.
2020 has certainly been a year to remember in so many ways, and it has been a challenge, however it has brought about changes which have opened us up to thinking and doing things in different ways. We look forward to updating you about our activities and support for our clients during 2020, welcoming Stephen Morgan MP who will offer his reflections on the current situation for people seeking sanctuary in Portsmouth and volunteers for the Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group, who will give us a sense of their Refugee Tales project.
If you are interesting in attending, please contact chair@friendswithoutborders.org.uk for a copy of the registration details. The meeting will be held using Zoom.
All Saints Drop In Re-opens
03 June 2021
After over a year of supporting our clients remotely, we are absolutely delighted that we have been able to re-open the Drop-In at All Saints Church on Thursdays. Whilst appointments are not compulsory, we do suggest that clients make contact with us in advance of coming along, as numbers are limited in line with social distancing requirements.
After over a year of supporting our clients remotely, we are absolutely delighted that we have been able to re-open the Drop-In at All Saints Church on Thursdays. Whilst appointments are not compulsory, we do suggest that clients make contact with us in advance of coming along, as numbers are limited in line with social distancing requirements.
Message from the Chairman
22 March 2020 (updated 08 June 2020)
Hello Everyone,
We hope everyone, whether client or volunteer, stays well and keeps safe!
Very best wishes
Michael
Hello Everyone,
- Regrettably the Drop-in is closed for the foreseeable future but Friends Without Borders remains concerned for asylum seekers and refugees in Portsmouth. We are supporting 27 people with payments and with funding from the National Emergencies Trust with the HiWCF have provided 23 children with laptops to enable them to fully participate in their education. We are also offering School Uniform Grants.
- We have linked our volunteers to vulnerable asylum seekers so they can help with advice over the phone.
- Access to Justice is currently closed for new cases but existing cases are being dealt with.
- Please keep watching this website for fresh information. In case of need it is suggested to phone our office 023 9283 9222/ 07546 502143 and leave a message. These are picked up quickly and someone will phone back. You can also continue to contact us by email.
- There is reassuring information about testing and treatment for asylum seekers who think they may have caught the virus - there are NO immigration checks and TREATMENT IS FREE - see here
- The Red Cross office is closed. Clients can ring 07872 839889 or email portsmouthreferrals@redcross.org.uk
We hope everyone, whether client or volunteer, stays well and keeps safe!
Very best wishes
Michael
All Saints Drop In and the office of Friends Without Borders closed until further notice
16 March 2020
Please note that the All Saints Drop In and the office of Friends Without Borders is closed until further notice as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will provide an update on alternative services as soon as we can.
Please continue to contact us by email.
Please note that the All Saints Drop In and the office of Friends Without Borders is closed until further notice as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will provide an update on alternative services as soon as we can.
Please continue to contact us by email.
New English classes
19th June 2019
The success story of the last few months has been the English classes very ably run by a Red Cross volunteer (an asylum seeker herself) who has now been joined by three of our volunteers, two of whom with a background in education.
The main English classes are on Thursday but we’d also like to expand the Monday classes if suitable volunteers can be found.
The success story of the last few months has been the English classes very ably run by a Red Cross volunteer (an asylum seeker herself) who has now been joined by three of our volunteers, two of whom with a background in education.
The main English classes are on Thursday but we’d also like to expand the Monday classes if suitable volunteers can be found.
