Dear friends,
Christmas is fast approaching – and we are once again organising our annual appeal for destitute women and children in theAll African Women’s Group (AAWG).[1] This is the self-help group of women asylum seekers based with us at the Crossroads Women’s Centre. Like every year, the charity which runs the Centre will be administering the appeal.
Since our first appeal in 2005, we have continued to be overcome by everyone’s generosity, including donations from many who have very little themselves. People go out of their way to give to women who are surviving on even less.
This year, unfortunately, the situation remains unbearable. Women who are extremely vulnerable are still being inappropriately housed in “asylum hotels” – often slum standard accommodation. Some have only £8 a week to live on – impossible at any time but especially with the cost-of-living crisis. Breastfeeding mothers and mothers with young children are particularly affected. Food is supposed to be provided but is often inedible and baby food is frequently out of date. Women don’t have any facilities to cook and cannot access the food they are used to, which impacts on their and their children’s health and wellbeing. Several women describe living in cold and mouldy flats, suffering skin complaints and breathing problems; others report coping with rodent infestations. They find it difficult to get the staff to take their complaints seriously, or to get appropriate medical help from local GP services.
Women have not stayed silent. They have challenged and sometimes won against these brutal conditions. [2] They have resisted dispersal out of London where they would be away from our support. They have spoken out about the horrendous sexist and racist treatment by the hotel staff. Many of their experiences are confirmed in a recent OpenDemocracy report: Scabies, Sexual Harassment Racism: Inside the UK’s Asylum Hotels.[3] Working with Women Against Rape, AAWG members provided invaluable evidence in a successful challenge against the government’s underfunding of legal aid.[4]
We have seen an increase in the number of single mothers who have fled rape, domestic violence and homophobia coming to AAWG for help after trying unsuccessfully to get appropriate support from official agencies. Traumatised by their experiences some end up living with people who prey on them in various ways.
Women describe how having just a little money of their own for the short Xmas period would provide a reprieve that would help them to find somewhere better to live. That is why our appeal is so important to them and their children.
We work closely with the All African Women’s Group to distribute the money. All that we raise goes directly to women and their families. Not a penny is deducted for administration.
Last year we were able to give small one-off payments to over 28 women, 21 of whom were mothers which resulted in 27 children having little extras and enjoying their Xmas.
Women put the donations to good use, for example, to cover essentials like food or heating or warm clothes for their children. As one mother commented.
“It was the first time since we have been in the UK that we celebrated like everyone else and had a traditional Xmas dinner with all the trimmings – it made such a difference to my daughters. Without people’s generous support our families would have had a pretty miserable time.”
Anything you can donate, no matter how small, will be most gratefully received.
Thank you and best wishes for a peaceful Xmas,
Niki Adams, Legal Action for Women.
HOW TO DONATE:
Through Crossroads Women’s Christmas Appeal:
www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/ChristmasAsylumAppeal2024
If you are a taxpayer the value of your donation is increased by 20% at no extra cost to yourself if you add Gift Aid to your donation.
By cheque, payable to Crossroads Women – please specify that you are donating in response to the Christmas Appeal and post the cheque to:
Crossroads Women’s Centre, 25 Wolsey Mews, NW5 2DX.
If you wish to pay another way, please get in touch. Tel: 020 7482 2496
[1] https://aawg.blog/
[2] https://www.instagram.com/p/C3FZlXpihTz/
[3] https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/asylum-hotels-sexual-harassment-racism/
[4]https://www.duncanlewis.co.uk/immigration_news/Lord_Chancellor_Commits_to_November_Decision_on_Legal_Aid_Rate_Increase_for_Immigration_and_Asylum_in_response_to_claim_brought_by_Duncan_Lewis_(27_September_2024).html