The Hope Service is an NHS mental health team. We support refugees and asylum seekers, including many arrivals from Afghanistan who, as a result of their traumatic experiences, have developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We are now starting to meet people who are arriving from Ukraine, whose losses are also immense.

In addition to therapy, we offer regular walks for men and for women, facilitated by staff and which provide an opportunity to explore different parks and green spaces around Bristol and S.Glos. We also work with local partners like Bristol Mind to provide an opportunity to play football. Being outdoors can be really beneficial to physical and mental health and can also provide a space to connect with others and build confidence.

Our walking groups and the football sessions have had brilliant feedback from service users who are often extremely isolated. People literally start smiling again and can be distracted for a little while from the really difficult memories they bring with them.

Unfortunately, many service users don’t have trainers but have the shoes or sandals they arrived in and don’t have money to buy them, so this fundraising initiative aims to raise money for us to buy shoes. We would be extremely grateful for your support - for further information please contact awp.HopeServiceTeam@nhs.net