September 10th: WANTED: empty properties near town centre.
We understand that housing has been found for 2 Afghan families in the MVDC area, and that these families will be arriving soon. MVDC are in urgent need to more empty properties to welcome more refugees: they do not want to negatively affect the needs of people already on waiting list for housing, and are therefore looking for private landlords and landladies to rent properties out to them (the Council), which is what central government requires in order to fund the resettlement of a family. We would like to do everything we can to help on that front: please ask far and wide, talk to your school, your church, your colleagues, your friends. The basic requirements imposed by the government are: self contained, equipped with water/gas/electricity, and NEAR TOWN CENTRE. The rates are roughly LHA rates, but negotiable, and there are no agency fees. If you can help: please contact us urgently or contact the Council team directly: volunteersupport@reigate-banstead.gov.uk
September 7th: Special 'high speed' collection of toiletries
We are collecting toiletries until Thursday 9th 6pm. Here is the information: Are you ready for super-speed collection #2? Type: Toiletries only. Destination: families finishing quarantine near Gatwick airport. Recipient: West Sussex Council. Deadline: Thursday 9th, 5pm. If we are fast as lightning, it seems that these donations will reach the families just in time before they move. Drop off points: Anytime Fitness Dorking (RH4 1RY), and Anytime Fitness Leatherhead (KT22 7AX) from 10am to 6pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Here is the list:
(more) washbags.
shampoo
conditioner
body wash
deodorant
soap
toothbrushes
toothpaste
flannels
disposable razors
shaving foam
nail clippers
nail files
hygiene pads
hair removal cream
lipsalve (I'm not sure what that is)
if at all possible: makeup/ moisturiser
We will add the toiletries that had already been donated in the past 3 weeks. Soooo.... let's do the best we can in this very short window of time. Thanks very much in advance for your help.
Update on 27th August 2021: Afghan crisis response
We are currently preparing a community response to the unfolding refugee crisis. Here is what we can already share with you now: 1/ We will be holding a virtual meeting on 9th September at 7:30pm to share with you the information we have as well as the response we are planning. If you would like to attend, please email us . 2/ Collections are limited for the time being: we cannot collect clothes just yet, but you can donate the following: - toiletries: tooth brushes, tooth paste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, etc. - baby nappies, wipes, formula, soothers, bottles - functioning smart phones, tablets, laptops with their chargers. Those items can be dropped at: Anytime Fitness Dorking (Unit 3, 285 - 293 High Street Dorking, South East, RH4 1RL) and Anytime Fitness Leatherhead (11-15 North Street, Leatherhead, South East, KT22 7AX). We will increase the number of needed items when we know more about where the donations will go. If you would like to offer help towards: storing, sorting, transporting, please email us and we will put you in touch with our collection coordinator. 3/ We have started a fundraiser on the platform Just Giving. Here is the link: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dorkingrefugeesupportafghancrisis The money collected will go towards supporting refugees arriving and settling in the area, through buying needed items that cannot be donated, towards ESOL resources, etc. 4/ If you are interested in helping our ESOL team, either through teaching or through friendly English practice on zoom with the refugees, please email us. 5/ If you are a landlord/landlady with a property to rent, please get in touch: the MVDC council is urgently searching for empty flats and houses to rent in the area, so as to welcome the first refugees arriving through the Government's resettlement scheme for Afghan translator allies of the UK troops. So you would be renting out to MVDC, not directly to the families. Email us for more information. 6/ If you are interested in housing an under 18 refugee under a fostering or supported lodging scheme (run by Surrey County Council), please come forward and we will sign post you towards the relevant persons. 7/ If you have a spare room and would be interested in hosting an adult refugee or asylum seeker, this can be done through the charity Refugees at Home. See also our page on hosting 8/ If you are a local company or business interested in hiring refugees resettling locally, either part time or full time, or for internships/work experience, please get in touch with us.