VIDEO: Give the gift of opportunity to refugees this Christmas

Swindon’s flagship charity for asylum seekers and refugees, The Harbour Project, is launching its Christmas fundraising campaign today with a special film appeal.

Sharing the harrowing stories of those who have risked everything to flee persecution, the film aims to raise enough money to provide the gift of life-changing opportunities this Christmas.

Harbour stands for kindness, friendliness and compassion towards all who come through its doors. The Harbour Project is open to everyone, regardless of race or religion, and believes that everyone has a right to be treated equally and respectfully.

One of the charity’s visitors – as the asylum seekers and refugees are known – explained: “Harbour is based on love, it’s based on mercy, it’s based on giving you all you can, making you live beyond your dreams."

At the heart of the project is the drop-in centre. Every weekday, up to 80 people use this service. For visitors living on only £5.26 a day, it’s important to have somewhere free where they can meet friends and get support. Most importantly, it offers a warm welcome, friendship and a safe haven.

This warmth is crucial to people who have been through incredible trauma. Another visitor says: “There’s something about the atmosphere, the people, and just the kind of place it is.

“It’s for people who are at the bottom, they don’t know where to turn; then, they walk in there and suddenly there’s hope, where there wasn’t any hope before.”

Alongside the warm welcome, Harbour offers help in education, employment, housing, welfare benefits and consumer issues. It also provides basic skills such as English, cookery and sewing classes, as well as activities like football, art and keep-fit groups.

Without practical support, some of the visitors could end up hungry or sick, not knowing how to make the best of their income or find medical help.

Without the social circle that Harbour provides, it’s likely that traumatised people could become extremely lonely, isolated, and suffer mental health problems.

Without help to learn English and negotiate the local area, it’s also likely that many would struggle to integrate.

But by raising enough money to support the charity this Christmas, the opportunities Harbour provides can become the gift that keeps on giving as visitors grow together into the local community.

You can make a huge difference to the life of someone who has been through terrible trauma. Through your gift, you can support the daily drop-in session where friendly faces and a cup of tea make all the difference. Your donation can help them to learn English and make friends. Most importantly, you can give them back hope.

There are many ways you can help to make a Christmas wish come true this festive period. It’s very easy to make a one-off donation or to set up a regular gift to Harbour by visiting http://harbourproject.org.uk/christmaswish.

Alternatively, Harbour is currently selling tickets to its annual Curry Night on Monday 4 December. For a night full of laughter and wonderful food at the Jewel in the Crown, buy your ticket at www.harbourproject.org.uk.

And, if you’re still searching for a special Christmas card to send this year, Harbour is selling packs designed by a new refugee to support the fundraising campaign. Cards are available from Los Gatos restaurant in Swindon’s Old Town, or The Harbour Project on 01793 611 682.