Befriending May Draw to a Close

For some newly arrived asylum seekers and refugees in the city, the befriending project at ARKH (Asylum Seekers and Refugees of Kingston upon Hull) has been a great boost to help build towards integration between different community groups. Over the past year and a half, the project has worked with refugee women and young people from over 10 different countries, aiming specifically to combat isolation and to increase confidence so that the person can integrate and participate more fully in the local community.

Befrienders are volunteers who offer support though friendship; introducing the local culture, area, and services. There has been a very positive response from both the local community in Hull, and also many from the large population of students that are also residing in the city, resulting in a wide range of volunteers who bring different skills and experiences. The project began in November 2006 through funding from the Home Office Challenge Fund. Since then, the project has grown from strength to strength. There have been over 40 volunteer-client matches to date. Every pair has their own story to tell.

Refugees have been taken on trips to the Humber Bridge, Sewerby Hall and the beach, as well as enjoying places closer to home such as The Deep, East Park, museums, cinema and ice-skating.

Volunteers have been vital for emotional support and have played an important role in helping to develop and build confidence in the English language. However, all the good work may have to come to an end shortly as the funding will cease at the end of March 2008. ARKH will be pulling out all the stops in order to make that this project, which has touched so many people's lives, both locals and refugees, is able to carry on. Contact: Gloria Ho (ARKH Befriending Project Coordinator) 22-23 Albion Street, Hull. HU1 3TG Office number: 214178 Fax number: 212149 Mobile: 07748965714 Email: Gloria_arkh@yahoo.com

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