Local Group Mapping

List of Local Groups

Local communities across Devon have become increasingly aware of the refugee crisis, and as a result have come together to respond positively. A number of local support groups have begun to pop up, the majority of which collect clothes, nappies, blankets, and food, in order to donate them locally to families recently resettled in the UK.

These groups help to make new families feel part of the community they have arrived in, and are a crucial support line for many. Please take a look at the list of current groups active in Devon (as you can see we have many!) and the wider regions to see if you are able to contribute anything towards their cause.

 

 

  • Refugee Aid #RAFT: Taunton.
    • A hardworking local group that is happy to collect any donations from the public in order to be sent to local and international refugee families. They collect items dependent on the time of year (medicine and warm clothes for winter), and are open to receive donations four days a week.
    • Telephone: 07545895768
    • Opening Hours: Tuesday. Wednesday, Thursday, & Saturday 10.00am – 3.00pm.
    • Location: Auction House, Canal Road, Taunton, TA11PN.
    • Website: https://www.refugeeaidfromtaunton.org
    • Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/RefugeeAidFromTaunton/

 

  • Beyond Boarder Totnes (BBT):
    • A non-profit community project, based in Totnes, that brings local people and asylum seekers under the umbrella of well-being to establish a cultural dialogue and to help refugees and asylum seekers to build emotional resilience, overcome social isolation. They collaboratively work alongside other organisations, such as, British Red Cross and RSD.
    • BBT arrange UK workshops with events that show reality of situations and challenges particular groups will face on arrival. In contrast to those groups who are particular raising awareness of conditions across the boarder. They are also raising and collecting items to ship across boarders for when refugee/ asylum seekers arrives. These include blankets, food, camping equipment and so on.
    • Website: http://beyondborderstotnes.org.uk/
    • Contact: info@beyondborderstotnes.org.uk

 

  • Integr8: Totnes.
    • A non-profit community development organisation that empowers refugees and asylum seekers, helping them to integrate into the communities they arrive into and start a purposeful life and work experience.
    • Website: integr8uk.org
    • Contact: Saif Ali (info@integr8uk.org).

 

  • Newton Crisis Aid:
    • A Facebook community group for the Newton Abbot area providing aid and support to people in crisis wherever they are. The group works hard to support asylum seekers and refugees, and involves their local community in donations and fundraisers.
    • Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/923462197721827/

 

  • North Devon Sanctuary for Refugees: Barnstaple, Bideford, Merton, Okehampton, Chagford, Westward Ho!, Ilfracombe, Lynton, Abbotsham, Bickington, and Bude.
    • A Facebook community group for the North Devon area supporting and promoting better conditions for refugees. They work hard to educate others, organise collections and donations, and offer practical support whenever needed. No donated items are wasted as anything not required by refugees are given to support the local homeless community.
    • Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1641979666042474/

 

  • Refugee Solidarity East Devon:
    • A Facebook community group for the East Devon area used to provide up-to-date information and discussion on the refugee crisis. They work alongside Ottery Refugee Response Group, Refugee Aid (Taunton) and Totnes & Exeter Refugee Solidarity, through which they make donations of clothes, food, and other vital items.
    • Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/552544174910429/

 

  • Ottery Refugee Response Group:
    • An active local group which collects much needed donations, and aims to identify local landlords willing to rent out their properties for refugees.
    • Contact: Melanie Argent (hectorargent@hotmail.com).
    • Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/184081181932917/

 

  • Refugee Solidarity Devon & Cornwall:

 

  • Totnes and Exeter Refugee Solidarity:
    • Originally set up to aid the refugees of Calais in 2015, this is a community Facebook group that now has a broader focus on sharing relevant information, signposting others, and receiving donations of money and goods for refugees from the general public.
    • Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/539673722850260/

 

  • Ashburton Refugee Support Network:
    • A community Facebook group set up in response to the current refugee crisis in the Middle East and Europe. The group takes part in lobbying local/national governments, raising awareness, and engaging with refugees.
    • Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/993111407387739/?fref=ts

 

  • Refugee Family Support: Paignton.
    • A community organisation based in Paignton which aims to collect slings and carriers for the children of refugees arriving in the Greek islands and beyond. They also collect other forms of aid and accept donations.
    • Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/refugeefamilysupport/timeline

 

 

  • Torbay Kos Kindness:
    • A community organisation aiming to help refugees arriving on the Greek Islands, specifically in Kos. They take donations and collections of various items, recently focusing on school bags for children on Kos with financial difficulties.
    • Facebook Link:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/koskindnesstorbay/

 

  • Plymouth Open Hearts Open Borders:
    • Run solely by volunteers, Open Hearts Open Borders raises funds both locally and internationally, runs awareness events, supports integration of refugees, and develops community projects.
    • Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/openheartsopenborders/?fref=ts
    • Contact: Faraday Fearnside (Tel: 07912294122).

 

Please note: This is not an exhaustive list of groups and organisations. Please research in your local area too if not already mentioned above!

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.