04:23PM, Thursday 05 January 2023
The charity that helps look after asylum seekers in Maidenhead has a plan for the new year to help them feel more involved with the community.
Care4Calais is looking out for volunteer opportunities for asylum seekers from wherever they might be available.
It is looking out for potential
opportunities for ‘sanctuary cafes’, places where people could go and enjoy a meal occasionally, or coffee and cake.
Generally, a sanctuary café is a safe space where people can seek emotional and mental health support. Some are geared towards supporting refugees and raising awareness, such as one at the University of Reading.
It’s hoped that a café like this will help break ‘the monotony’ of the hotel food, which is quite basic.
Sam Jonkers, regional lead for the Care4Calais crisis charity, said: “It will make a huge difference to people. It’s a key thing we’d like to be able to provide.”
Moreover, the asylum seekers would benefit from being able to help out at these cafes, or from other volunteer opportunities.
“We’re always looking for interesting voluntary roles. Whilst they can’t work at the moment, they have incredible skills amongst them,” she said.
“People there would be very keen to give back to the community by helping out in charities or not-for-profit businesses.
“Going forward, that will be one of our targets – find some more ways for people to give back.”
Care4Calais is keen to hear from anyone in Maidenhead who wishes to offer help, following the success of its Christmas appeal, reported in the Advertiser in November.
“[The Advertiser article] resulted in some really nice offers and our Christmas appeal has done really well,” Sam said.
“There are lots of really kind donations made, and more
importantly, offers of spending time.
“The community has been wonderful, welcoming – it’s taken me by surprise.
“It’s outshone some of the neighbouring towns, to the credit of the people of Maidenhead.
“Asylum seekers have been feeling very unsure about things, so it’s nice for them to know the local community sees them as their neighbours.”
If anyone wants to offer any help via Care4Calais, contact reading@care4calais.org
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