Campaign by Story
The World in Their Hands
As Christmas approaches, and the temperature drops, most of us are fortunate to enjoy the warmth of family and friends in the season we most associate with goodwill and giving.
Yet, as BIRCH knows only too well, the political temperature has turned decidedly colder, and the spirit of goodwill and generosity seems in short supply for individuals and families, who come to the UK in the desperate hope of finding refuge and safety, only to face growing resentment and hostility.
As a charity, BIRCH aims to counter this harsh climate by highlighting the reasons people risk everything to make their way to these shores. They do so because it may be a matter of life and death as they flee murderous conflict and brutal oppression.
This is why the work of BIRCH is absolutely crucial. You can read more about our services for asylum seekers and refugees in BIRCH’s latest Annual Report. In the past year, we supported some 649 sanctuary seekers, but we couldn’t do this without the kindness and compassion of others.
We are therefore asking people to support our Christmas Appeal, which focuses on a specific funding need that BIRCH regards as critical for asylum seekers and refugees – mobile phones.
Answering our call for help
A mobile phone is no longer seen as a luxury. For most of us, it’s become essential to our lives, and for the people BIRCH helps it’s a vital lifeline.
For an asylum seeker or refugee, a mobile phone is a form of digital life support system. It contains vital information and documentation to do with their very identity, as well as asylum applications and appeals, contact with the Home Office, lawyers and support agencies, and other relevant services.
BIRCH, for example, operates a WhatsApp group for young people attending our Youth Hub. It allows us to inform them of activities and events, but it also acts as a vital forum for friendship in combatting the isolation and loneliness they often feel, as well as warning them against potential intimidation, especially now.
And then there’s something that’s so precious to them, indeed, to all of us – contact with family. Many escaping their homeland may be forced to leave their family, or, tragically, become separated and lose contact with each other on their hazardous journey. A mobile phone might offer the only realistic means of finding out where they are and what their fate is, and the possibility of ever seeing them again.
We hope you’ll feel able to support A Call for Help at Christmas Appeal. At a time when they feel under particular threat, we know how grateful those we help would be for your support and for reminding us that humanity really can triumph over hostility.