Winter greetings from St Augustine’s

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      Winter Greetings.   Now the nights have closed in, what’s better than coming together for an uplifting film? Join us for ‘We Dare To Dream’ on 9th December… 

Our Skydive was a great success, and we’ve had a very busy Autumn, as you’ll discover below. It’s been full of the good stuff, despite cruel immigration policy  changes, making our work – and our Centre Member’s lives – needlessly tougher.

Thank you in advance for reading on, and for being part of our community of supporters. It makes a big difference.    
Skydive Success!   Two weeks ago, our daredevil trio – Becky, Paul, and Arsalan – leapt from the skies in a heart-pounding skydive adventure at Skydive Hibaldstow.

Your support propelled us to new heights, 15,000ft to be exact. Together, we’ve raised £6,634, smashing our initial target and doubling to an impressive £13,268, thanks to the generosity of the Gartland Family Trust and the Community Foundation for Calderdale.   Paul’s action skydiving photos     Check out extra skydiving photos and videos     Upcoming events.   We Dare To Dream: Film Screening And Live Q&A.     Join us for a very special evening on Saturday 9 December, in partnership with Friends of Hebden Bridge Picture House, for a Q&A screening of ‘We Dare to Dream‘. This inspiring documentary follows members of the Refugee Olympic team in 2020, and is directed by Academy Award-nominated and Bafta winner Waad Al-Kateab (For Sama). We are delighted that Waad will join us after the film for a Q&A.  

📍 Location: Hebden Bridge Picture House Cinema

🗓️ Date and Time: Saturday 9 December, 7pm

🌐 More information    Book your tickets     Christmas Party, and present appeal!     We are planning  a big party for our Centre Members on 14th December, complete with grotto, crafting, films, food, photobooth, live music and most importantly, a new, wrapped present for everyone.

Gifts are coming in, and volunteers from Thomson Reuters and Aviva are ready to get wrapping. It’s not too late to contribute gifts if you’d like to. We are looking for: Good quality day backpacks Sturdy all-weather adult umbrellas Hot water bottles £10 gift vouchers from One4All Present drop off is open Monday – Thursday from the 27 November to 5 December in our Activities building (the large Victorian one, set back from the road, HX1 5PG). If you need any help, or have any questions, please contact our Chief Elf Elsa     Autumn Highlights.   Halifax Lantern Parade.     Children and adults from the St Augustine’s community joined the recent Halifax Christmas Parade, carrying lanterns they’d made in workshops run by Handmade Productions. 

A special thank you to Friends of Hebden Bridge Picture House, Discover Halifax UK, The Piece Hall, and Handmade Productions for making the town centre sparkle. Let the holiday season begin! 🕯️🎄     Calderdale Community Spirit Awards 2023.     What a night at the Calderdale Community Spirit Awards last week, surrounded by the formidable company of our diverse voluntary sector! Though we didn’t clinch the Great & Green award (congrats to North Halifax Partnership), being a finalist was an honour. Migration and climate change are inextricably linked, and we want to play a small part in caring for our precious world and it’s people.

The highlights of the night? Basking in the wealth of voluntary organisations we have in Calderdale, without whom so many people would be a lot less OK. Plus sharing our environmental work with the people there, the cheer when St. Augustine’s was mentioned, and our fabulous second-hand outfits, picked from our Free Shop.     Creative Writing Residential.   “The highlight of the entire residential was when I realised I could write poems. I followed the direction of the mentors and I soon realised I could write what people could feel. I also realised don’t judge a book by its cover. Anyone can write poetry, it comes from the heart and soul.”  George

“It was a wonderful experience. We had space to write, time to write, time to express ourselves. Away from noise and with the nature.”   Hakar
In October, nine of our Centre Members, alongside people from Ukraine, took part in a creative writing retreat at Arvon’s Lumb Bank, in Hebden Bridge. Read our recent blog post showcasing our Centre Members’ thoughts, experiences, and their poetry.

Photo: Arvon
    Read more about the Arvon residential     Black History Month.   Black History Month 2023: Saluting our St Augustine’s Sisters
– Interview with Florence and Eva

“…I have an urge for change. The fighting has made me and shaped me into a warrior. I was determined to use myself as a vessel for the women out there as it’s their right to express themselves in a free world.” Flo

Across St Augustine’s, we celebrated Black History Month throughout October. We are proud to shine a spotlight on two remarkable Black women, Florence and Eva. Both are integral members of the St Augustine’s family, contributing significantly over the years through casework, advice drop-in sessions, the Bike Project repair shop, and the reception desk.

Read their stories and more in the blog below:   Look at our Black History Month blog     World Food Day 2023.   World Food Day 2023: The Welcome Café
– a blog by staff member Jake Clarke

“I’m here because St Augustine’s needs chefs and I love to cook. It makes me feel free”. Vernette

‘We have the taste of Africa, Lebanon, and Syria here. A taste of everything…In Nigeria, we eat jollof rice with lots of vegetable oil. I’m a rice lover.” – Rachael

On World Food Day, we celebrated our Welcome Café and the people who bring it to life. The café is, and always has been at the heart of our centre. In 2023 so far, we have served 9,031 hot meals to 544 different people. 

Read more about our kitchen team’s thoughts,  stories, and some global food inspiration:   Explore the World Food Day blog