10 years have flown by since we were founded on 1st November 2015.
Here’s some of what we’ve achieved…
We recently asked our registered volunteers to estimate how much time they’ve dedicated to supporting RWinR clients and our charitable aims over the last ten years.
In response, we have logged more than 266,000 hours!
Based on a 2018 valuation of in-kind volunteer time used by Richmond Council, this equates to almost £4.7 million worth of free contributions to social integration and community cohesion in Richmond upon Thames.
Over the last decade, we have helped…
660+ refugees and people seeking sanctuary supported from Afghanistan, Albania, Egypt, Kuwait, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Syria, Ukraine, and Yemen.
200+ local hosts on the Richmond Ukraine WhatsApp group (now hosted by Ukrainian Social Club).
130+ weekly information hubs at The Vineyard Community Centre with support from Citizens Advice, Connect to Work and Work Match.
20+ refugees supported to find shared accommodation.
14 private-let homes found for refugee families.
2 homes furnished from scratch through donations.
150+ food parcels delivered since 2020.
8 computers for students.
1 school bursary place obtained.
40+ community events held to promote integration:
21 visits to Kew Gardens and other local attractions.
7 Christmas parties.
5 public meetings on finding accommodation.
4 summer picnics.
3 trips to the theatre.
1 spring party after lockdown.
Other ways we’ve helped so far
Health
- funding treatment for dental emergencies.
- escorting families on dental and hospital appointments.
- arranging supplementary physiotherapy for a torture survivor.
Learning
- providing one-to-one language support for at least one person in each family.
- arranging sessions for children at organised summer holiday activities.
- sourcing school uniforms.
Work
- arranging free legal advice.
- escorting adults to the Citizens Advice Bureau.
- helping adults to complete applications for training.
- funding tools for helping dad return to work.
- funding kit and clothes for hairdressing classes.
Life
- sourcing bikes and buggies for children.
- providing families with vacuum cleaners and a cooker.
- sourcing replacement beds and bunk beds.
- giving Christmas and Eid gifts.
