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How you can help this Christmas:
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With the holidays fast approaching, we've collated a few ways you can make a difference for refugees and people seeking asylum in Calderdale this winter.
As many of the people we support live on just £40 a week (or even less!), the cost-of-living crisis means we are needed more than ever. Read below, or click to view further details on the Christmas HQ on our website.
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Double your donation with a match-funded appeal.
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Right now, the cost of living crisis is making it harder for people and communities to keep up with rising costs. However, we're pleased to have been approved for the Aviva Community Fund Cost of Living Boost.
How does the Aviva Community Fund work?
We know that budgets are tight this year, and not everyone will be in the position to make a donation as they may have done in previous years. However, donating through the fund means your donation will be stretched further.
- Donations must be made via our Aviva page
- Donations will be matched from the fund until midday 13th December, 2022
- There is a limit of £250 match funding but you can donate as much as you want, with the first £250 being matched
- We can raise up to £50,000 to receive match funding, but when the funding pot at Aviva runs out the pot stops - that means if you plan to donate for Christmas, the sooner the better to make sure we receive match funding
We're encouraging all Christmas donations to be made via the Aviva fund this year to ensure maximum impact. If you need any help, please contact Amber.
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Turn your Christmas shopping into everyday magic.
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Shop with EasyFundraising when you do your Christmas shopping this year and raise much needed funds for St. Augustine's. Over 7,000 brands will donate to us, including all the big names like eBay, John Lewis & Partners, Argos, ASOS, Expedia, M&S, Just Eat, Uswitch and many more! This means you can raise FREE donations for us when you buy gifts, decorations, your festive food shopping or anything else!
You can even add a donation reminder to your browser to start saving up those donations with a single click. When it's that easy, you'd be crackers not to sign up.
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We're encouraging you to host a Mince Pie Mingle this year to raise much-needed funds for refugees in Calderdale. There are no rules, just gather together at your home, business, or school for a great time whilst raising money for St. Augustine's Centre. Stretch your fundraising even further by donating what you raise through the Aviva appeal!
Don't like mince pies? No problem! You can hold a Christmas jumper day, a coffee morning, or whatever works for you. Get in touch with Amber and let us know what you have planned.
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Become a Regular Giver and help us plan for the future.
A regular gift allows us to know, day in and day out, that we will have a steady income stream that we can rely upon. Every little bit helps!
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Help provide gifts to those in need.
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We believe everyone deserves a happy Christmas, especially those that are isolated and alone this year. That's why we're giving out a present to every man, woman and child that we support. But we need your help!
Here's our urgent wishlist:
- 13-17 years - headphones, nice toiletries, £10 vouchers
- Men - gift toiletry sets, glove, scarf & hat sets, thermal socks, hand warmers
- Women - gloves, scarf & hat set, toiletry set, hot water bottles
If you'd like to bring a gift or know a shop that could donate in bulk, get in touch with our volunteer Christmas Gift Co-ordinator Elsa on 07768 771678. Donations can also be dropped off at St. Augustine's Centre, Hanson Ln, HX1 5PG from 10am - 4pm Monday - Thursday, where we'll wrap them for our Santa's grotto.
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We stand in solidarity with protestors in Iran.
At St. Augustine's Centre, we support many people from Iran who have fled persecution to rebuild their lives in the UK. The inability to communicate with family and friends still in Iran has been heart-wrenching, as they have been left to rely on images in the media without the ability to check in with loved ones.
Our Centre Members decided to hold their own gathering to share their thoughts locally in Halifax. They want to build awareness here, serve as the voices of their families and friends in Iran who are silenced, and ask the UK government not to support the Iranian regime.
You can read more about how you can help, view photos from the event and read work from our centre members by clicking below.
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October Volunteers of the Month Award.
Nazhad is a very reliable receptionist and interpreter, always willing to help and go the extra mile for anyone in need.
Sofia has been helping with administrative duties in the office for the past 8 months. She never misses her slot, and is always punctual and reliable.
Thank you both!
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September Volunteer of the Month Award.
Omid and Diana display excellent commitment and hard work as Chef and Chef Assistant at our Welcome Cafe each week. The food always tastes delicious and they ensure the kitchen area is kept tidy and left spotless. Thank you!
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A Befriending Week celebration.
We've wrapped up a wonderful #befriendingweek with a celebration and a chance to reflect. All of the attendees made leaves with comments about their experience for our 'Befriending Tree.'
Our Befriending volunteers help make such a difference to the people seeking asylum we support. If you're interested in joining our team of Befrienders, get in touch with Rabia. |
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Don't forget to help us Fill the Skies with Hope.
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Join us as we participate in a nationwide campaign, #FillTheSkiesWithHope, to urge the government to change course on the government’s policy to banish refugees to Rwanda.
Groups across the country have been making and sending orange heart-shaped paper planes with messages to the new Prime Minister. In stark contrast to the hostile plans from the government, we want to demonstrate broad support to end the cruel scheme to send refugees to Rwanda.
Simply make origami heart shaped orange plane/s (see video) with a message to the PM, launch them, and get in touch so that we can collect and deliver to our local MP en masse. Check out the pic above of Huddersfield Uni launching their aeroplanes!
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Christmas Closure:
We will be closed from December 19 - January 3 to recharge our batteries.
If you or someone you know needs help:
- Use this food provision schedule to find access to food in Park Ward.
- Ring Migrant Help at 0808 8010 503
- or Emergency Services at 999 / 101 / 111
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AlpKit donated a generous gift of preloved, high quality outdoor clothing for walking and sports activities.
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JLA gifted us a brand new washing machine when our old one gave out.
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St. Augustine's Church raised £132.60 for us at their recent Fundraising Ceilidh.
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Many thanks to everyone who collected, campaigned and donated to the Autumn Collection at Brighouse High School!
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