Although the media often focuses on the politics of migration, they hardly ever focus on the people that are on the move, and their individual needs. Teenagers at the Calais border endure unimaginable hardship, struggling for survival in dire conditions. They face harsh weather, overcrowded makeshift camps, and constant uncertainty.

We are a grassroots organisation founded in November 2023. We use the principles of youth work and psychosocial support to address a critical lack in specialised provision for displaced teenagers at the French-British border.

In an environment where teenagers are facing such adversity, our sessions aim to address some of their psychological and social needs, build resilience and promote social cohesion. We plan and facilitate community and recreational activities and safe, youth-focussed spaces to promote general wellbeing and mitigate some of the vast trauma young people have experienced at the France-UK border and beyond.

Previous sessions have included woodwork and gardening projects, abstract art workshops, songwriting, stop-motion animation, collaborative sculpture, sewing, screen-printing, spa afternoons, enterprise week, baking contests, street art workshops… The list goes on!

To date we have worked with 782 teenagers across 163 sessions. But we won't stop there! This year, we are trying to build capacity and secure our financial future to ensure we can continue to provide this vital provision for teenagers who need it most.

Any amount you are able to give goes directly to providing safe, creative spaces for teenagers on the move in northern France. As a grassroots organisation, our overhead costs are very low, meaning your money will have a much more palpable impact for the young people we support.

For more info go to our website - https://www.youthkaleidoscope.org/