In the midst of war, poverty and suffering, there is always a glimmer of hope that comes from communities and individuals helping to aid those in dire need. For refugees especially, their community is a worldwide one, comprised of all those around the world who are doing their bit to help. A charity called “Refugee Action Kingston” based, unsurprisingly, in Kingston Upon Thames has been helping refugees and asylum seekers find a home and a supportive community in this London suburb. Their mission is to “Support, advise, and empower refugees and asylum seekers towards building fulfilled and independent lives through skills development, advice, counselling, and assistance in access to services and employment” in a bid to be able to “welcome and enable refugees in Kingston to become valued members of our community”.
To live out their ethos and reach their goal, they support refugees in Kingston through many different activities, depending on the person’s individual needs; these services include weekly English classes, advice, advocacy, counselling, support in gaining education and employment, clothes sales and even a summer play scheme and youth project (to help the 52% of refugees that are under the age of 18). As shown by the varied and diverse group of services, they are there to help all refugees, no matter their state of education, wealth, employment or age because they can see how each and every refugee is different and they cannot all be classed into and stereotyped as one group. All these services are there to give refugees a better quality of life in Kingston, and better opportunities via furthering their education, helping the to gain jobs and even looking after their children. Furthermore, the language lessons could prove invaluable to a refugee who may have felt ostracised in a place they did not know the language of- language skills can help many to feel integrated and a part of the community in Kingston. Many of these activities take place in the “centre for community resilience and engagement” which could be regarded as the main hub of the life changing work they do. Apart from the more “practical” classes, art and dance classes are a few of the many leisure activities to help refugees and asylum seekers enjoy a rounded, enjoyable life.
As a community, residents of Kingston have and continue to come together to support this charity and the amazing work they do. Through charity fun runs, cake sales and most recently a 25th anniversary dinner and gala, the community have shown their support in wanting to help those displaced by war, famine, poverty and all matter of terrible things. Charities such as RAK really help to bring out the community’s spirit of giving and helping those less fortunate than ourselves. It is through this spirit than we don’t only just bond as a community but help to widen and envelop those displaced in the caring community we ourselves are part of- leaving an unimaginable mark on those helped by the magnanimity of the community.
