In honour of Refugee Week we are raising funds to support unaccompanied asylum children with an exciting opportunity to travel to London for a day. Refugee Week is a UK-wide celebration, focusing on cultural and educational activities that celebrates the contribution of refugees to the UK and promotes better understanding of why people seek sanctuary. Refugee Week takes place every year in the week surrounding World Refugee Day on the 20 June.

Gloucestershire has a growing number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children who are in need of support. All of these children have experienced significant trauma in their birth countries and during their journeys to the UK; most are battling with mental and/or physical health needs and they have all been separated from their families. Some are unable to make any form of contact with loved ones back home.

Accompanied by a Social Worker and support staff, children will travel to London by train, and visit the Natural History Museum, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge and the London Eye. Positive experiences such as this give these young people a temporary release from the daily challenges that they face and allows them to feel a sense of inclusion.

This trip also aims to support the young people in building their lives here in the UK. It will focus on understanding how to use public transport, navigating through a new city, developing their understanding of history, British values and culture, as well as developing friendships with other young people who can relate to their experiences.

The trip is planned to take place on 22nd June 2023 and the cost to travel to London is £65 per child. There are currently 28 young people who wish to attend and so we are raising funds in the hope it can go some way in helping this trip to become a reality.