A letter about our 26th Annual Impact Report, the racist Anti Refugee Bill and our Winter appeal providing direct humanitarian relief to see families, individuals and young people from refugee backgrounds through the Christmas/Winter period. | | Dear Supporter, I am delighted to send you our 26th annual impact report which we launched in front an incredibly warm and supportive audience in Glasgow City Chambers. It was our first hybrid AGM. Last week, we got over one hundred civil society, refugee and homelessness organisations across Scotland and the UK to sign an open letter opposing the Home Secretary's Nationality and Borders Bill. But sadly, the Government got the "Anti-Refugee Bill" past its third reading. In contrast to the UK's proud history in refugee protection, this Government has made clear that it is prepared to continue to stoke the xenophobia of a small section of the population with extreme opposition to refugees, even to the point of leaving human beings to drown in the freezing waters of the Channel. With your support, we will continue to oppose the anti refugee bill. Christmas is traditionally a time when families get together and home means so much. Our emergency work throughout Winter supports refugee families who are far from home and their loved ones, including those within our committee and staff team. This year, we received more than five hundred requests for crisis support from refugee families and individuals in Glasgow alone - a 67% increase on last year. Together with volunteers from our Human of Glasgow network, we will be providing 330 adults and 182 children with emergency support (i.e. shelter, food, crisis grants, phone top ups/travel passes, donated phones/laptops and winter clothes/boots). At the end of this email you can read about some of the people we will support. Please give to our Refugee Winter Appeal today. Your donation will help fellow human beings who have lost everything to feel safe and supported. With your support we can protect people at risk of homelessness, support families rebuilding their lives, and stand up for refugee rights, work with others across civic society to oppose the Anti-Refugee Bill and campaign for an asylum system that is fair and compassionate. None of this is possible without your continued generosity. We appreciate any donation you can give, however modest.
Wishing you peace, and happiness,
Robina Qureshi
Chief Executive Officer
Positive Action in Housing | | Please give to our Refugee Winter Appeal today.
A glimpse into the lives of some those whom we will support this winter: - Leila, 34, is from Syria. She is staying in an asylum hotel with her little girl. They have lost telephone contact with her husband who was trying to cross the Aegean Sea. Her little girl does not attend school because they are still in a hotel. Leila does not know her rights and she speaks only Arabic. They are supposed to receive £8 a week each, but get nothing, the situation is causing considerable distress. Her little girl's shoes no longer fit, they desperately need toiletries, shoes, and clothes.
- Sarah's husband is severely depressed and prone to breakdowns due to inability to provide for his family the way he wants. This in turn affects his wife and children who also feel isolated. She is struggling to clothe her sons who are growing taller at a rapid pace. She has no money for transport for essential appointments. The only respite is weekly church on Sundays.
- 21-year-old Ahmed and his little brother Yousaf arrived in Glasgow two years ago, their parents are dead. Ahmed takes care of his younger brother, the flat and it can get too much for him. They do not go out like other young people and struggle to buy clothes and essentials.
- 35-year-old Farrah* is fleeing domestic abuse. She has no income and No Recourse to Public Funds. She was unable to return home for any of her or her sons belongings due to safety concerns or send him to school. Farrah and her child need help with food, clothing, travel, and ongoing financial support. She has a solicitor who has helped her make a DDV application. If accepted, she may be able to apply for benefits however this can take 6 weeks or longer.
| | Give a financial donation
Donate using CAF, JustGiving or PayPal
Give a regular donation
via Charities Aid Foundation or post a cheque made payable to Positive Action in Housing to: Positive Action in Housing ,98 West George Street, Glasgow G2 1PJ
Donate via internet banking Name of Account: Positive Action in Housing | | | | Donate any of the following: New or Nearly new smart phones, laptops. New thermals, winter shoes, winter jackets. Packets of Rice, Pasta, Noodles, fresh Bread, soup tins (vegetarian), apples, tangerines, oranges, tea, coffee, sugar, female hygiene products, tooth paste/toothbrush, razors/shaving foam, Anti bacterial Hand Wash, Soap, deodorants etc., Selection boxes for children, Books for children (Roald Dahl, David Walliams), Children's craft packs. To drop off please email home@positiveactionh.org. | | |
Background to this appeal
In 2020/21 Positive Action in Housing assisted 1,621 refugees & asylum seekers from 80 countries including Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, Palestine and Yemen. Our Homelessness and Destitution Teams provided advice, representation, practical support, shelter, and crisis funds at crucial stages in the asylum process. We provided 46K nights of shelter (www.roomforrefugees.com) and distributed £168K through our Emergency Relief Fund – providing a genuine lifeline. We worked to resolve a crisis and help people rebuild their lives.
Our Lifeline Service provides an advice service and ensures that service users have access to active legal representation. This approach has produced life-transforming outcomes for people who felt they had no hope of change.
| | | Donate Today
Your donation will support those who have fled war and persecution in their own countries, risking their lives on dangerous journeys, to find sanctuary here, leaving loved ones, friends and all that they know.
Whatever you give, no matter how modest, is greatly appreciated. Regular monthly donations are especially welcome as we can plan the support we give.
Finally, please forward this email to your friends, family or coworkers, and encourage them to give generously. | | | Positive Action in Housing
Working together to rebuild lives
Scottish Registered Charity SC027577
www.positiveactionh.org
www.roomforrefugees.com | | | | |
