To our wonderful RefYouMe community,
The first six months of 2025 seem to have whizzed by. If I had to sum up what they've looked like for us in just a few words, I’d choose something like this: never-ending support, plenty of smiles despite the hardships, and giant saucepans! More on this later...
It’s been noticeable this year that many charities and NGOs in Calais are struggling. Financial difficulties are hitting everyone, meaning that running costs are rising, but donations aren’t. It’s hard to witness.
With that said, I hope we can continue to support our partners in all different ways throughout the rest of 2025. After all, it may be sunny now, but winter has a habit of sneaking up on us quickly. NGOs on the ground in Calais will need even more support when it gets cooler.
During times like these, spreading education and hope is one of the most powerful things we can do. That's why I'm really pleased to have joined some truly inspirational talks around Bath and Bristol over the last few months.
A talk that has really stuck with me was hosted by Bath Welcomes Refugees alongside the International Rescue Committee. We heard from an accountant who shared his story of moving from Syria to Bath, and what it means to gain support from your local community.
We were also invited to Clockwise, a co-working office space in Bristol, to share how employee volunteer days can be used to make a difference! Last November, two colleagues who work within Clockwise used their paid volunteering time off to volunteer in Calais, so they shared their first-hand experiences too.
Our number one achievement of the year so far is, of course, getting boots on the ground. We’ve been on three volunteering trips to date, bringing along 16 new people – from students to doctors, baristas to artists, teaching assistants to cabin crew members, and retirees. This mix of backgrounds proves that you don’t need any particular skillset or job experience to make a difference in Calais.
What’s also amazing about introducing new people to RefYouMe is the ripple effect that follows. When people see just how valuable their time and support is, many of them go home and spread the word. The community keeps growing, which means we’re able to keep providing more support to our partner NGOs.
On this note, I also want to say a big thank you to all the volunteers from Bath Welcomes Refugees who have joined our volunteering trips this year. This has brought our two communities even closer together, doubling the impact we’re able to make.
Community is the main reason that we’re hosting our first ever REF-UNION later this summer. If you’d like to come and connect (or reunite!) with your fellow volunteers, we’ll be getting together on Thursday 18th September at Hall & Woodhouse, Bath. You can find all the details you’ll need here.
I want to end by saying this: many of us are lucky to live safe and healthy lives here in the UK. For those of us who can, let’s turn our gratitude into support for the men, women, and children whose lives are in turmoil. There are so many ways for to make a difference, and RefYouMe is here to help.
Thank you, everyone.
Emma
PS
I’ve always had this weird desire to climb inside one of the huge saucepans at the Refugee Community Kitchen...After all, they highlight the scale at which the team prepare hot meals. I finally plucked up the courage to confess my odd wish – so here it is!
Please note: All the pans were thoroughly washed after the photograph!!
If you can spare a weekend and the cost of the trip then we will organise everything else to get you to Calais, so you can see for yourself the importance of direct support and giving and the difference you can make.
All donated funds are directed to the grassroots charities on the ground helping refugees in Calais and used for the most urgent requirements and those most desperately in need. If you would rather purchase an item of need please go to our shop and see exactly where you money goes.
