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Refugee charity in ‘exceptionally urgent’ hunt for new home
A charity that volunteers have said “gives inspiration to a lost group of neglected, persecuted and traumatised people,” is in urgent need of a new home.
Founded in 2015, in the last year alone Aid Box Community (ABC) has provided support, supplies and sanctuary to 3703 refugees and people seeking asylum, from over 80 countries.
But the organisation’s welcome hub faces closure within six months if it can’t find new premises. While the charity will continue to operate, it will be forced to find temporary solutions to operate its services if a new permanent home is not found.
is needed now More than ever
ABC provide a warm welcome, supplies, befriending opportunities and activities to over 3,000 displaced people each year
Until now, ABC has run its services from a building on Cheltenham Road that hosts its free shop and welcome hub.
However, the lease on the building has come to an end this month and the charity has been unsuccessful in finding a new home.
It has been refused several rental properties, despite being in an “excellent financial position,” having secured three-year’s funding for rent from the National Lottery. ABC says that, on making enquiries as to some properties, they have been deemed “not the right fit.”
The charity has also been rejected by a local church, despite the building remaining empty for over a year.
“Despite our efforts to communicate with the ‘church’, we have been met with inexplicable resistance to our offers,” said founder Imogen McIntosh.
They also say they have made an “attractive offer” on council-owned property and “surprisingly were not chosen.”
Refugees and asylum seekers welcome the opportunity to choose the clothes and household items they feel comfortable with from the ABC free shop
ABC operates a free shop, run by donations, that gives those seeking asylum in Bristol the opportunity to choose and take away clothes, toiletries, household items and food.
One service user said “You take away my pain and give me peace. I can’t provide for my children but when I return home with the clothes, their eyes light up.”
Another praised the dignity of the free shop, saying: “At ABC you get the opportunity to choose…. You can dress as you.”
The charity also runs multiple weekly activity groups, trips and retreats and a befriending program, a signposting service and crisis fund.
On being involved with the activity group, a member of the women’s swimming group said: “We started to live like humans again. We find hope, happiness, acceptance, friendship and confidence. We did not have any relatives or friends in Bristol and ABC became our friends.”
To avoid imminent closure, ABC are asking concerned residents to write a letter of support that they will use to communicate with the council.
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They have received several letters of support already, including from the Dovetail Orchestra and Bridges for Communities, and from Farnaz Parvizi who said: “I have worked with many charities in my profession and…Aid Box is one of the very best.
“It is very responsive to the needs of its clients, with no wastage of funds and resources.
“It is frustrating to hear that despite rhetoric and fine words from the council…the charity was turned down from meeting the requirements of a council-owned property. I cannot envisage a better use of a council property.
“I will certainly be writing to Carla Denyer and our local councillors to hold them to account.”
ABC have provided the spec’s for the new building, in case a member of the public is able to help with their search
ABC have asked for anyone with leads of possible buildings to get in touch with imogen@aidboxcommunity.co.uk
All photos: Aid Box Community
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