KHAR newsletter #4 -
A monthly newsletter from Kings Heath Action for Refugees, a registered charity in England and Wales (1200013).
Welcome to the KHAR newsletter
Well the rain came but one of the wettest Julys on record couldn’t hold us back, or dampen our KHARnival spirit!
For the first time ever, we had to move KHARnival indoors and thanks to the Chamberlain Highbury Trust we were able to take advantage of the beautiful surroundings of Highbury Hall and its grounds.
It was a wonderful day filled with music, song, yoga, craft, theatre, exceptional food and of course glitter! You helped us raise an incredible £1449.08 and we will be donating that to Birmingham Community Hosting Network (BIRCH) for their summer holiday activity with asylum seeking families in the city. (see other refugee action).
August is KHAR’s quiet rest period, but don’t let that fool you we’re very busy behind the scenes. We have some exciting fundraising events for you coming this autumn that we’re cooking up including a new partnership with local independent The Heath Bookshop and working once again with Kings Heath Community Cinema Screen B14 so watch this space…..
All KHARnival photos by Kate Jackson
Where you can find us next
We have several markets in the coming months.
Kings Heath Artisan Market, York Road, Sunday 13 August, 10am-4pm
Stirchley Community Market, Saturday 16 September, 10am-3pm
Kings Heath Artisan Market, York Road, Sunday 10 September, 10am-4pm
Future Days Festival, The Crossing, Digbeth, Saturday 7 October, 4pm - 11:30pm
See you there!
At the Flapper Market in June.
Future Days Festival
Earlier this year we were approached by the team at Future Days Festival - an alternative music one day festival held right here in Birmingham.
The asked us if we’d like to become their official charity partner and we jumped at the chance to get involved and meet a whole new audience for KHAR, plus working in partnership with a local festival? A no brainer!
What does this mean, well, in addition to being able buy a ticket with an added charity donation, we’ll also be there in person fundraising for our winter packs and selling our wonderful merch too, so buy a ticket and come and enjoy some live music and say hi!
Ways you can support us
Volunteer with us - we appreciate all support, from helping staff market stalls, attending our events with asylum seekers through to more organisational support.
Please get in touch via email if you’d like to chat about how you might be able to help.
What’s in the news
Sadly despite huge opposition from Peers, NGOs and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights last month the Illegal Migration Bill passed through parliament and will become law.
“This bill sets a worrying precedent for dismantling asylum-related obligations that other countries, including in Europe, may be tempted to follow, with a potentially adverse effect on the international refugee and human rights protection system as a whole,” said the UN high commissioner for human rights, Volker Türk, as he urged the UK government to renew its commitment to human rights by reversing the law.
This week it has been announced that Fire Brigades Union are writing to the Home Office to highlight that the Bibby Stockholm, the giant barge that is proposed to become home to over 500 asylum seekers is a “potential deathtrap” akin to a floating Grenfell. Not only is this plan incredibly inhumane considering many asylum seekers arriving in the UK by sea under extremely traumatic circumstances will now be housed on floating detention centres, but it costly and desperately unsafe.
This has to stop - Safety is a Human Right!
Other refugee action
Birmingham Community Hosting Network is a volunteer led charity (Charity Number: 1151763) working to harness the enthusiasm of local people to offer friendship and hospitality to people.
Birch network’s main purpose is to offer support and friendship to people seeking sanctuary, who are on the periphery of society. We focus on three main groups: migrants with no recourse to public funds who are experiencing destitution, young separated refugees, and finally newly arrived asylum seekers living in temporary accommodation.
We are a volunteer led charity that harnesses the hospitality of the local community with a view to making Birmingham become a welcoming city of sanctuary to migrants. Our volunteer network aims to relieve destitution and increase the resilience and well being of our beneficiaries.
This summer Birch supported by Bring it on Brum are running summer holiday activity for asylum seeking families living in temporary hotel accommodation, activities include: sports, arts and crafts, burrito making, healthy eating sessions and more. Kings Heath Action for Refugees are proud to be funding additional lunches and travel for more families to attend.
Thank you for reading
ps. Here’s a link to our online shop for all merchandise - thanks for your support!