I am running in the 5k santa dash for refugee women connect. This charity is something that I feel very passionate about, especially since working in the home office. Refugee Women Connect help women asylum seekers, refugees, and survivors of trafficking. Most women needing this help face inequality and are denied social justice. Refugee and asylum-seeking women can be vulnerable and isolated, not knowing what their rights are or how to exercise those rights. Refugee Women Connect helps with that.

The charities current activities include an extensive outreach programme which incorporates weekly visits to Initial Accommodation Centres and weekly drop-ins where women can access a range of emotional and practical support and activities.  We are also part of various multi-agency drop-ins that take place across the region. With the support of our volunteers, we have been able to accompany women to appointments to offer much-needed support and encouragement and are hoping to develop this work further in the future. In response to the increased need for mental health support, we offer self-esteem support groups and one to one emotional support.  With the rise in homelessness and lack of legal support we are developing our casework, including becoming OISC accredited, to respond to the increased need for casework.   Phil Watts