Coronavirus Solidarity Fund
During the Coronavirus crisis, everyone is at risk, but people with insecure immigration status are particularly in need of help right now. Many don’t qualify for government help, and are missing out on local voluntary initiatives.
One of the key principles of These Walls Must Fall is that the voices and views of people directly affected by detention must be at the centre of campaigning. Organisers, based at Right to Remain, are supporting groups of experts-by-experience to learn, develop, teach, share and use skills to lead local campaigning.
Right now, during the Covid-19 crisis, this all has to be done remotely. Most of the experts-by-experience campaigners are barred from working. Many live on asylum support of just £5 a day. Some have no money at all, surviving through friends and charities.
To stay in touch online, to keep organising and campaigning, people need money for data packages, phone credit and a smartphone or laptop.
Lockdown Sessions
During the crisis, we have run regular Lockdown Sessions, live-streamed online music events raising funds for community projects supporting at-risk migrants. This includes getting food, hygiene products, medicine and legal advice services to people in lockdown. Over six weekend sessions, we raised almost £9,000!
Projects we have raised money for during the crisis...
BOAZ Trust, Manchester
The Boaz Trust works to end destitution amongst asylum seekers and refugees in Greater Manchester by providing safe accommodation and holistic support. People seeking asylum have fled persecution and insecurity, but all too often they can end up homeless and destitute here in the UK. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the need for support and solidarity is even greater.
Lesbian Asylum Support Sheffield
LASS is a support group for lesbian, bisexual, trans and queer women who are seeking asylum or are refugees. It was set up and is run by LBTQ+ asylum seekers and volunteers. LBTQ+ people are less likely to have access to support services under Covid-19, and LASS received no regular funding, so these donations will keep people in touch at this vital time.
These Walls Must Fall campaigners
Migrant campaigners with direct experience of immigration detention. Funds will help to keep them connected, training, organising and leading the campaign to end detention. Donations have already paid for phone credit, broadband connections and laptops for those in need of help.
Thank you from African Rainbow Family!
Open Kitchen, Sheffield
An established weekly community event to provide food, support, and a place to meet for destitute asylum seekers, refugees, those in need in the wider community. Now delivering to people during lockdown.
Sheffield Flourish
Sheffield Flourish is a mental health charity rooted in Sheffield and owned by the community, supporting our community to share their stories, get involved in activities, and flourish.
Sheffield City of Sanctuary
Sheffield City of Sanctuary needs donations to help run the Virtual Sanctuary, to organise delivery of food and medicine, to provide radios and laptops to keep people informed and connected, and to deliver other essential work.
St Augustine's Centre, Halifax
St Augustine's are continuing to support over 600 individuals and families across Calderdale, including refugees, asylum seekers, EU migrants and other vulnerable people.
Liverpool Migrant Solidarity Network
A collective of people working together to resist the hostile environment that migrants face in our city & beyond. This campaign is raising money to offer some much needed support to those who the current system is failing.
Migrant Action
Migrant Action is providing support and assistance to vulnerable migrants disproportionately affected by the pandemic and the lockdown.
Bristol Refugee Rights
BRR is continuing vital advice services by phone, and providing tech aid for asylum seekers and refugees facing destitution, homelessness and isolation during Covid-19.
African Rainbow Family
African Rainbow Family supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender intersexual and queer (LGBTIQ) people of African heritage and the wider Black Asian Minority Ethnic groups.
Migrant Artists Mutual Aid
The volunteers at MaMa are collecting and distributing essential food and hygiene items to isolated at-risk people across Liverpool.