A new service was launched on 5th September in Derby and the Derbyshire area, to support destitute asylum seekers and refugees and we hope City of Sanctuary supporters might be able to support it by making a pledge.
Host Derby will provide temporary accommodation to vulnerable individuals with volunteer hosts, offering a room in their home, from a few days up to a few months. Guests will be supported to access the right help and re-engage with the asylum system, and move on with their lives. Host Derby is a partnership project between Upbeat Communities, Derby Refugee Advice Centre, The British Red Cross, Derby City Mission, Metropolitan Housing, and Derby City of Sanctuary.
Launch meeting for Host Derby Sept 5th 2017
Between June 2016 and May 2017, The British Red Cross identified 204 destitute asylum seekers and refugees living in Derby – destitution is defined as having no access to statutory support or accommodation, and with no right to work. Some people end up street homeless, whilst others find insecure accommodation, often in poor living conditions (e.g. sleeping on sofas or floors in friends’ houses).
Will you help us tackle destitution?
We hope to have the scheme in place before the Winter weather sets in. While the scheme mostly runs through voluntary action, there are some costs, and so we are seeking to raise a minimum of £10,000 towards these for the first year.
Could you help us meet this target?
We have an opportunity to raise money through The Big Give ‘Christmas Challenge’ 2017, from 28th November to 5th December. This is the UK’s biggest online match funding campaign, that doubles the contributions of members of the public who donate. To make this work we are seeking commitments from individuals and organisations who would be willing to pledge between £100 and £3000 pounds – you are pledging to match the donations from the public up to your agreed sum. The total amount we are looking to raise through pledges is £3000.
If 15 people gave £200 we would meet our target!
Please consider signing up today as a pledger and see your money doubled! Please also promote this via social media and your networks. Complete the online form by clicking this link.
The deadline for pledges is 5pm on Friday 1st September 2017
If you want any more information about pledging please email [email protected]
For more information about Host Derby (and if you want to register as a host) visit www.upbeatcommunities.org/hostderby
There will be a launch event for Host Derby, taking place on Tuesday 5th September (7-9pm) at the Bosnia-Herzegovina Centre. To register to attend please visit https://hostderbylaunch.eventbrite.co.uk