Hey there!

My name is Natasha, I am a 4th year medical student at King's College London and I am going onto my 7th year working with STAR (Student Action for Refugees)! I first came across STAR, in 2013, at a house party during freshers week in Cardiff. Like most people, I knew very little about the lives of people seeking refugee protection here in the UK. That all changed when I went to Cardiff STAR's weekly drop-in session. The noise was overwhelming. Ping pong balls bounced across the room, many people sat or stood, talking, singing, shouting, laughing as they cradled cups of tea and coffee, some pointed at computer screens, either showing someone their CV, family photos or a YouTube video. It was mayhem, the delicious welcoming kind that reminds me of a massive family reunion.

I was soon invited into the rhythm of storytelling, sharing hot drinks and teaching English as I signed up to be a member of Cardiff STAR (a member of the STAR charity). In my second year I was elected to be vice president and then president in my third year. The Cardiff STAR community revolved around a weekly English Conversation Club, campaigning for Equal Access (scholarships) for asylum seekers at Cardiff University (we were successful yay!), sharing food, listening to each other, providing support and advice, celebrating each other at events like Refugee Rhythms, Peace Feasts, trips to the beach, and museums. 

I left Cardiff and came to London in 2017. Last year, I worked for the STAR charity as the Student Network Assistant helping other STAR groups across the country campaign and create community with people seeking refugee protection. STAR was started 25 years ago as a society at the University of Nottingham to help refugees in the local area. This academic year, STAR is celebrating 25 years of welcoming refugees and asylum seekers. I'm running the Vitality London Half Marathon with four other STAR members from across the UK. Our team name is Star Crossed Runners and we're aiming to raise a total of £2,500 for Student Action for Refugees. 

STAR is a national charity of  27,000 students welcoming refugees to the UK. Together we 

• Volunteer at local refugee projects
• Campaign to improve the lives of refugees 
• Educate people about refugees and asylum

STAR is made up of 50 groups at universities and colleges across the UK and a national team which coordinates and supports the groups. Help STAR to continue this work by donating what you can!

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page!