FRIENDS WITHOUT BORDERS
  • Home
  • COVID-19 INFO
  • About us
    • News
    • Who we help
    • How we help
    • Why we help
    • Our volunteers
    • Awards
    • Annual Reports
    • How we use your data
  • All Saints Drop-in
    • About the All Saints Drop-in
    • How to get to the All Saints Drop-in
  • Access to Justice Project
  • Get involved
    • Ways you can volunteer
    • Make a donation
    • Some easy ways to raise money for FWB
    • Leave a lasting legacy
  • Contact Us
  • Thanks

Latest News

OCCASIONAL NEWS FROM FRIENDS WITHOUT BORDERS (PORTSMOUTH)

9/10/2018

 

​MP’s Surgery

Picture
​The MP for Portsmouth South, Stephen Morgan, has started running a monthly surgery for asylum seekers at our drop-in. This is great - two of his assistants come and give advice – valuable as they have access to the Home Office (a special telephone number) which we do not: there are things an MP can do which we cannot. As far as we know we are the only drop-in in the country offering an on-site MP’s surgery. We arranged the service and are sharing it with the Red Cross.

​Allotments

​A small group of volunteers are taking some of our clients to a Community Allotment where they have already painted the shed and planted out some carrots and onions. It is very healthy for people living in dire poverty to have something useful to do. They are, of course, not allowed to work.

Housing

​Part of Mrs May’s “hostile environment” is to deprive asylum seekers of a place to live or the right to rent at a certain stage in the application process.

We have a number of clients in this category and have recently carried out a survey to find out how many and how they are sustaining themselves.

It was a small survey but indicates that about 20 are currently homeless - 15 “sofa surfing” and 5 living on the streets. A volunteer is currently preparing a report and proposals as to how we can help them – you will be hearing more!

​Liverpool Trips and Signing-on

Picture
Royal Liver Building © Beverley Goodwin
​We have had a number of people recently who have had to go to Liverpool to hand over papers for a fresh asylum application.

We also have a number of clients who are required to “sign-on” at a local police station – until recently Portsmouth but now Fareham 9 miles away. Friends Without Borders pays for these journeys, the costs of getting to Liverpool vary but we’ve recently decided to give all travellers a straight £100 to include a little money for refreshment en route.

A Fareham trip costs £5 return on the bus. One trustee has drafted a letter of protest to his MP. We hope that others will send similar letters – it’s better if you rewrite in your own words – but political pressure really is needed.

​Portsmouth to be a “City of Sanctuary”

​A group have been working on this for a while and an official launch by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire is planned for Wednesday 19th June at All Saints. More information in due course.

​One World Week

​OWW is from 21st to 28th October with many local churches taking part with a variety of events. We were particularly interested in:
  • A World without Borders – a talk and discussion at the Portsmouth Friends’ Meeting House on Tuesday 23rd from 19:00 till 21:00. This is in partnership with Journeys Festival.
  • One World Week Celebration at the Discovery Centre, St John’s RC Cathedral on Wednesday 24th from 14:00 to 16:30. Activities, stalls on theme of change. Do think about what you might come and do! Cakes from around the world

Journeys Arts Festival

​This is from 19th - 28th October and has a good website with full programme details.

​Retirement

​I have been the Chairman for some years now but have told trustees that I propose to retire at the next AGM in Spring 2019.

​I do not propose leaving the charity or giving up all the work I do but I shall be 75 next birthday and feel it’s time for someone else to take the helm.
With very best wishes,
Michael Woolley, still Chairman

Comments are closed.

    Archives

    May 2022
    October 2021
    June 2021
    November 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    October 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    March 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    September 2013
    August 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • COVID-19 INFO
  • About us
    • News
    • Who we help
    • How we help
    • Why we help
    • Our volunteers
    • Awards
    • Annual Reports
    • How we use your data
  • All Saints Drop-in
    • About the All Saints Drop-in
    • How to get to the All Saints Drop-in
  • Access to Justice Project
  • Get involved
    • Ways you can volunteer
    • Make a donation
    • Some easy ways to raise money for FWB
    • Leave a lasting legacy
  • Contact Us
  • Thanks