• ON Sunday the Santé Refugee Mental Health Project’s annual meeting heard one of our service users tell of his horrific experiences in Europe and how he crossed the English Channel by kayak.

One of our befrienders spoke of her experience volunteering in a Greek refugee camp and reference was made of our Black Lives Matter event in July where we discussed discrimination from the point of view of an asylum seeker and British institutions.

Lack of immigration advice hasn’t put off one of our service users who aims to represent herself at an imminent tribunal. Very brave. We’ll be there to advocate for and support her in the courtroom.

Homelessness is increasing and many referrals are arriving from the “Routes off the Streets” agency and we’re left finding home office-approved hotels. It isn’t ideal, especially as the funding ends in January.

Our project has been at last awarded a grant from the National Lottery and with this we offer workshops on isolation and communication during Covid-19 lockdown.

The NHS still send us refugee referrals but refuse to pay for our service, so we have set up a charging system for large agencies so that we remain sustainable.

Social work departments and voluntary agencies request speakers for their staff meetings so we regularly oblige by explaining what we do and offering referral paths.

Many young graduates come to us as volunteers and French speakers are especially welcome. We maintain a non-discriminatory operations policy. Volunteers and referrals are welcome.

Contact: santeproject44@gmail.com. Telephone 020 7482 290.

RUTH APPLETON
Project Co-ordinator
www.santeproject.org.uk