Hidden away amongst Leicester Square’s architecturally-beautiful West End, cinemas and casinos lies the Notre Dame Refugee Centre, where I experienced one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. We constantly hear of refugees on the news, through the so-called ‘Calais Jungle’ and the Syria and Iraq war, but physically seeing the work this centre does once they arrive to England gave my friends and I an incredible urge to help out ourselves.

Notre Dame itself is a French church located on a small side road off of Leicester Square Garden. They founded the refugee centre, taking refugees of all ages and help them in various ways.

On our visit, we learnt about the many things the centre does, the first being the cafeterias: with breakfast being served in one room and lunch and dinner served in another (with a computer and a banking advisor in the same room), Notre Dame does the lot when it comes to food. But we were shocked to learn where this all comes from: ‘we have no government funding’ one volunteer explained. ‘But saying this, we only spend around £20 on food per week. All our food is donated, mostly through the local Pret a Manger and Nandos.’

But the catering of food isn’t even the half of what they do. Advisors (trained staff and volunteers) provide drop-in sessions (on a first come, first serve basis) for advice on immigration, gaining protection, the asylum process, employment, housing and benefits. They also provide a mental and physical health and counselling service, to help refugees that have been through traumatic experiences, which can be hard to handle.

On top of this, Notre Dame houses creative workshops and tuition services, whether that includes teaching English, learning job interview techniques or general IT skills. We were informed about the general aim to help refugees and asylum-seekers get jobs and educate them. The creative workshops also include art, drama, sewing and yoga. Finally, in the centre, there is a clothing centre (what they call ‘the Harrods of Leicester Square’) where, through donations, they provide refugees with clothes and shoes for all occasions, with a clothes limit per person per month and year, to distribute the garments equally.

Alongside the tour, we learnt about their campaigns, including an annual 10k walk, run or jog in which many people participate, including those of physical disabilities. We also heard how much support these people need: ‘people queue up from 4am, sometimes even 1am in fear of not being able to get a meal for the day, or not receiving advice on what steps to take next. Our breakfast centre opens at 8:30 and our advice centre opens at 11.’

This is why Notre Dame Refugee Centre needs YOUR help. They are upheld by donations, church collections and Trusts and Foundations, but with this much going on, there is a lot that can be done to aid them in the special work they do by myself, you and us, together. You can become a volunteer, promote the centre and donate. For more information, head to their website http://www.notredamerc.org.uk/ . Notre Dame needs your help to aid the refugees who look for guidance and support. Be the change they need.

 

By Monica Giuliani, Ursuline High School Wimbledon