Marking Volunteer Day with our biggest Brum distribution yet

We just had our biggest and most amazing distribution in Birmingham! More people showed up than ever before and there were also many recent arrivals who were able to get some warm clothing for the first time since coming to the UK. The general mood was incredibly positive and supportive, with several refugees happily helping us set things up and carry heavy boxes all day.

Thanks to your generous donations we were able to take 14 large boxes full to the brim with warm coats, jumpers, scarves, gloves, trousers and shoes. After just a couple of hours most of it was gone – there was so much need for proper warmth at the hotel.

One of the most touching parts of the day was that two refugees, from Syria and Iran, recognised our volunteer Ged Meechan from his earlier contributions to the refugee community in Birmingham via the Red Cross. What a special way this was to mark #InternationalVolunteerDay.

It’s lovely to know our volunteers are doing such memorable work and we are so proud of them for always going above and beyond to help others. If we didn’t need his support in Birmingham, we know Ged would happily be in Calais right now braving the cold to help people there – that is just the type of volunteer we are lucky to have.

Our next plan is to organise conversational English lessons in the hotel because so many residents are desperate to practise in person. And once Covid regulations allow it, we’re thinking of hosting a games night and other activities to keep things lively and fun. The boredom from staying cooped up in a hotel all day isn’t good for anyone’s mental health.

To volunteer in the UK go to care4calais.org/uk