WYDAN (West Yorkshire Destitute Asylum Network) will be running their Winter Night Shelter for Destitute Asylum Seekers again from December, hosted by churches and other faith/community groups across Leeds. The shelter was run as a pilot last winter (January to April), with over 400 volunteers recruited and trained and 13 host organisations providing 417 nights of accommodation.
Many churches said the project had helped to bring their communities together. One said, “During the week our guests became our friends and we were moved by their plight, endurance and their gratitude.” And another: “The local church provided beds and catering; the local mosque and Sikh community supplied food on separate occasions. It greatly contributes to inter-faith relations.”
People seeking refugee protection are often at risk of homelessness and poverty because they have no recourse to public funds and no right to work. The guests at the shelter, many of whom would have had to sleep on the streets, were deeply impacted by the welcome they received, the opportunity to make new friends and to give back to their generous hosts. One said, “It has given me hope. Meeting people and having really interesting conversations I have learned so much. It has helped me psychologically and I feel so much better.”
Support would be greatly appreciated in the following areas:
Hosting – WYDAN are still looking for new host churches, info here.
Volunteering – eg welcome and look after guests, provide food/activities. More here.
Supporting financially – please see here.
For more information contact Katrina Burton. A full report on last year’s shelter is available here.
Could your spare room change someone’s life?
Foster4leeds are recruiting people in Leeds who could offer a home for unaccompanied asylum seeking children (boys,16-17 years), through their Rent a Room scheme. If you can help please call foster4leeds on 0113 378 3538, or email them.