News and Events
In-school counselling programme featured on
BBC Radio Oxford
BBC Radio Oxford invited us back in November 2020 to talk about our in-school counselling programme, which is funded by Children In Need. The project supports young refugees in Oxford to help them build their confidence, make friends and adjust to life in the UK more effectively. As with our other services, this has had to continue remotely - but continues to be a vital resource. You can listen back to the interview with our psychotherapist, Dr. Judith Rassmann, who talks about her work with young people, here:
With thanks to Dan Facey for permission to share this recording.
November 2020
October 2020
Congratulations and thank you to our six virtual Oxford Half Marathon runners!
No one could have anticipated the challenges that have arisen in 2020. Many events have been cancelled or postponed, or had to evolve with the changes in the ways we live and work.
In spite of the official race being cancelled, six runners volunteered to run their own independent virtual Half Marathons in aid of Refugee Resource, raising just over £3,500. All funds generated will go towards our work supporting refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants to recover their mental health and build new lives.
Fundraising initiatives like this provide a small charity like ours a HUGE amount of hope at a very difficult time. Do you have an idea or activity you'd like to run to help raise funds for our work? Email us at communications@refugeeresource.org. Or perhaps you're ready to set up your very own fundraising page on Just Giving? Follow the link & click 'fundraise for us'
From all of us at Refugee Resource, thank you for your support.
June 2020
Refugee Week 2020
"Imagine Oxfordshire" with Refugee Resource
On Thursday 18 June 2020, we held an online webinar to mark Refugee Week, where we shared insights from our staff, volunteers, clients and supporters about refugee experiences in Oxfordshire. We also shared creative submissions related to this year’s theme of ‘imagine’ - including artwork, stories and poetry. Watch a recording of the video below or via our YouTube channel.
To skip to particular features, please note these times:
8:05 – ‘Journey of a Refugee’, presented by long-term Refugee Resource (RR) counsellor, Sushila Dhall – an eye-opening account of refugee journeys and the power of kindness
39:10 – artworks by members of the RR Women’s Group
43:08 – poetry by members of the RR Women’s Group; read by Lubna and Mariam, and reflections from Dilber
1:03:32 – artwork submitted by supporters of all ages, including writing by a Syrian refugee in Oxford and a poem by RR counsellor, Alan Buckley
1:12:40 – discussion with Oxford Masters student and Palestinian stateless refugee, Basma Doukhi
July 2020
Supporting Distressed Clients: Training Webinar for Frontline Staff and Volunteers
Wednesday 8th July 2020, 9.30am to 12.30pm
Refugee Resource is hosting an online webinar to enhance knowledge, skills and abilities required to support distressed refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants. To find out more, please see the attached event information sheet.
For more information and to enrol via email, please contact Rod Diaz at roddiaz@refugeeresource.org or call 07946 565836
From all of us at Refugee Resource, thank you for your support.
March 2020
Information about Coronavirus
As the situation and official guidance for Coronavirus (COVID-19) develops, we want to make sure that our staff, volunteers and clients have the right information to help guide any action they might need to take or plans to put in place. The most important thing is people’s health and well-being, and we want to ensure that we help our local community be prepared and informed.
Where to go for official information and guidance:
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Things you can try to help your wellbeing if you are anxious or worried about coronavirus
We are here to help, so please reach out if you need support. Our counselling team can be contacted on 01865 403282.
Remember, there are simple things you can do to protect yourself and others:
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Wash your hands with soap and water often - you should do this for at least 20 seconds
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Always wash your hands when you get home or into work
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Use hand sanitiser gel IF soap and water are not available
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Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
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Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
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Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
Refugee Resource Annual Report 2018/19
We have published our Annual Report for 2018/19. Last year was very busy at Refugee Resource with more and more demand for our services. In our last financial year, we supported over 350 clients from across 43 nationalities: 99 people receiving counselling and psychotherapy; 56 women actively engaged with the weekly women's group; 31 people who have been supported by a mentor; and 105 clients received advice and advocacy support.
Women's Service create FGM film
The Women's Service, between April 2018 and September 2019, held nine FGM workshops on a wide range of topics including the physical and mental health impacts of FGM, accessing medical and community support, safeguarding, partnership working between communities and professionals, and advocacy and campaigning. The women involved felt that they had gained vital knowledge and awareness around FGM and all reported increased confidence in talking about it to their families, friends and the wider community.
After the final session, WEA facilitated the making of a film with interviews with the Women’s Service Coordinator and many of the participants.
Refugee Resource 21st Anniversary Concert hosted by the Radcliffe Orchestra
The Radcliffe Orchestra hosted their final performance of 2019 in support and celebration of Refugee Resource’s 20th Anniversary on Saturday 9th November in Tingewick Hall at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.
The event provided a fantastic opportunity to find out more about refugees, meet staff and volunteers, and even buy some beautiful crafts and recipe books made by members of our women's service - as well as hear a beautiful selection of classical music performed by the Orchestra. We are so grateful to have been invited to represent Refugee Resource and raise awareness of, and funds for, our work. Thank you to everybody who joined us and showed their support!
15 runners brave the rain at Oxford Half Marathon
We had 15 runners take part in the Oxford Half Marathon on 13th October 2019, raising much-needed funds for Refugee Resource.
Runners who took part included a client, a counselling supervisor and a volunteer! We are so grateful to them for all of their hard work in training, running (in very rainy conditions!) and fundraising on our behalf. We are also grateful to everyone who came out and cheered for them - thank you!
You can still sponsor our refugee client at https://justgiving.com/campaign/RRoxfordhalfmarathon
