Registered Charity Number 1013841
News Stories Archive
Christmas Party: 3rd December 2011
On Saturday 3rd December we held our annual Christmas Party for our clients and their children at Piper Hall. The day had a wonderful festive atmosphere and we were joined by 120 of our clients who enjoyed food, music and entertainment from The Bubbles Crew for the children. It was a very special day!
RAK would like to thank everyone who volunteered their time to make this event possible for our clients. A particular thank you goes out to the ACS Cobham Cub Scout Pack 184 for donating such generous and beautfiul presents for the children attending. RAK would also like to thank Lebanese Valley restaurant in Kingston for donating a meal for five as part of our raffle.
Women's group: November 2011
This term Refugee Action Kingston has seen the opening of our first Women’s Group at Piper Hall. Sessions are held once a month and so far have included landscape painting, sewing and yoga all delivered to us in kind generosity by external agencies and individuals. These sessions have been incredibly well received by our clients who have shown a huge interest in attending future sessions. We are currently in the process of scheduling for next term’s sessions and we are very excited for the future of this group.
RAK would like to thank the Big Lottery for funding this scheme as part of the Bright Futures Project, as well as the following voluntary facilitators: Clair Yates, Toni Izzard, Marilyn Mason and Shyma Al-Taay.
Citizenship Course Trip to London: 21st July 2011
30 refugees and aslylum seekers particpated in a nine week 'Introduction to Citizenship' course, covering a wide range of subjects ranging from UK history and law to festivals and health, whilst improving English language skills. The course culminated in a trip to London, visitng the Victoria and Albert Museum for a specially tailored tour, as well as the House of Parliament and the South Bank. The weather was kind and it was a wonderful experience for learners, volunteers and staff alike!
RAK would like to thnk the following funders: The Big Lottery Fund and ESSO.
Children's Health Day: 27th June 2011
Refugee Action Kingston (RAK) hosted a children’s health day event in partnership with NHS Kingston. This was held in response to both requests from parents, as well as issues identified by the health advocacy worker at RAK.
Information sessions were held on immunisation (NHS Community Nurse), positive parenting (Kingston Family Services), local children’s centre services (Norbiton Children’s Centre) and the promotion of healthy lunchboxes (Kingston NHS Community Food Project). In addition, a community dental hygienist delivered an interactive session for children on good oral hygiene practice as well as providing information for parents.
Importantly, interpreters were available to ensure participants were able to understand the key information. Although this was the first event of its kind, the event was well attended and the feedback from parents and guardians incredibly positive, with acknowledgements that the information was vital and requests for similar events in the future.
RAK would like to thank all those who contributed to the success of the event, including the following funders: NHS Kingston, the Big Lottery Fund and Children in Need.
Refugee Week Umbrella Parade: 19th June 2011
On Sunday, June 19th 2011, Refugee Action Kingston participated in the Annual Refugee Week Umbrella Parade inLondon, to celebrate the protection of refugees over the last 60 years. The Parade was organised by the Refugee Council and Amnesty International, and included participants from the British Red Cross, STAR Student Action for Refugees, and many others. Everyone was given a brightly coloured umbrella from the UNHRC, the UN Refugee Agency, with the umbrellas representing shelter, and the colours celebrating diversity.
The Parade went along the River Thames and over the Hungerford Bridge to the South Bank, where the Celebrating Sanctuary Festival was commemorating the contribution of refugees to the UK through music, dance and literature. It was a lovely afternoon, especially with the band joining in on the parade, and the response was positive from the public, especially with the attention-grabbing umbrellas!
Written by Randi Luster (parade participant and RAK volunteer).
