Would you like to volunteer to help refugees?
Our local charity, Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) is appealing for volunteers in 2019.
Iolanda Chirico, AFRIL’s founder and currently their foodbank co-ordinator, says: “Can you spare a few hours per week to help with the following: events, marketing, fundraising, finance and much more? Commitment is flexible and everything counts!”
AFRIL is one of SELHuG’s chosen charities along with the Uganda Humanist Schools Trust. It is dedicated to helping refugees asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants gain the skills, knowledge and support they need to take control of their lives and make a contribution to society.
AFRIL started in 2006 and now works with an average of 150 clients per week from over 40 different nationalities.
The charity offers:
- Free advice service to help with housing, benefits, education
- Supplementary School – The Rainbow Club – for children aged between 4 and 11 which runs on Saturdays and is staffed by qualified teachers and assistants. The curriculum is tailored to individual needs and enables children to participate more successfully in mainstream education; we teach English, Maths, Art, Music and Sport.
- ESOL classes for adults in partnership with St Margaret Church, Blackheath. A crèche is provided so that young parents can attend and be reassured that their children are cared for;
- Helping Hands Foodbank in partnership with St Peters Church, Lee Saturdays 10-12; offering food, toiletries and clothes to 20 destitute asylum-seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants. Light refreshment, sewing and art activities are provided.
Iolanda says: “You will work in a team and make a huge difference to people’s lives!”
If you are interested, please contact Iolanda at: iolanda@afril.org.uk
Website: www.afril.org.uk, Tel: 0208 2974111
You can follow AFRIL on Facebook and Twitter
