About us We are a group of volunteers whobefriend and support asylum seekers and refugees in the Southampton area. Find out more about how we work, our partners and supporters. | Get involved There are so many ways you can help!You can train as a visitor, organise events, help raise money and awareness or simply make an online donation. | About asylum Want to learn more about the issues?Meet some of the asylum seekers we’ve supported, and get the facts about asylum seekers and refugees. |
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SWVG events
SWVG usually has events throughout the year, such as fundraising opportunities, talks and workshops. Sorry, but events are fewer because of restrictions from COID 19. Our events page lists events past and future.
Experiences
THE JOURNEY FROM ERITREA TO THE UK
This moving short film North Star Fading is based on the testimonies of three Eritrean women who made the journey from Eritrea to the UK between 2006 – 2012 overland through Ethiopia, Sudan, Libya, the Mediterranean, Europe and to the UK. Two of the women were sent back to Eritrea after failed asylum cases and one of the women made the journey again and was successfully granted asylum in the UK on her second attempt.
The film stitches together illustrations to produce a ‘continuous zoom’ effect that draws audiences in to their extreme, relentless journey.
LEARN ABOUT IMMIGRATION
You may want to read this excellent briefing on immigration from the BBC, January 2020
Stories and Analysis from Refugee Action
- NAO report a wake-up call for Home Office, organisations say 03/07/2020Organisations providing refugee support say the Home Office must make systemic changes to the way it supports people seeking asylum, following criticism from the National... The post NAO report a wake-up call for Home Office, organisations say appeared first on Refugee Action.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a serious threat to refugees and asylum seekers.
The vast majority of refugees live in poorer countries. Many are living in overcrowded settlements that are the perfect breeding ground for the virus, and have little or no health information. UNHCR is training healthcare workers and providing hygiene supplies. They urgently need help. If you can, please give to protect vulnerable refugee families across the globe.
SWVG activities under coronavirus
SWVG has closed all face-to-face events. Our volunteers are doing all they can to support people without breaking Government instructions.
Please give
Help us to improve the lives of asylum seekers in the Southampton area and support those that are destitute. SWVG is run by volunteers; very little money is spent on overheads.
Words from someone seeking asylum
SWVG, no words are enough describe what you are to me. You're my best friend. You're my family. You gave me hope when I had no hope. You gave me strength to go on in this trying moment. All your visitors are awesome.
Words from a visitor
The strength of clients is humbling: their resourcefulness, courage coming here and not being welcomed or believed. There is a sense of personal responsibility and respect and not letting each other down.
Find out more
You can read our 2020 Brochure that outlines the work SWVG has been doing over the previous year here.
For full details of our work, see our Charity Commission pages here.
Petitions
SWVG invites you to add your name to these petitions.