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Christmas Fair and Market – 23 November 2024
Christmas Fair and Market – 21 November 2024
Catholic charities encouraged to lead the way on World Day for Migrants and Refugees
A great article well worth reading, highlighting our work and the work of sister charities.
https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/48064
Catholic charities World Day for Migrants and Refugees PO’D 22 Sept 2023
Ukraine Crisis Update
Page updated 23 June 2022
Happy Refugee Week!
Various shared resources, information, links etc have been collated onto the 10GM page which we thought would be of benefit: http://10gm.org.uk/arrivalsresources1.html.
For all queries about the Wirral Ukraine programme, please email homesforukrainians@wirral.gov.uk or contact Stella Edwards on 0151 691 8697. This email address can be passed to any refugees, sponsors or potential sponsors that would like more information.
Caritas Diocese of Shrewsbury strongly condemns the attack by Russia in Ukraine and brutal aggression towards the Ukrainian people. We deplore the consistent attacks on civilian lives and infrastructure. Such acts of aggression endanger international stability and peace and bring international law into disrepute.
Caritas Shrewsbury are receiving regular updates on how best to help as part of the international Caritas Internationalis network and from the Caritas Social Action Network for England and Wales.
What can you do to support those in need?
Aid agencies have found themselves overwhelmed by donations in kind and so are now specifically asking for financial donations only. You can help by:
Donating to the Greater Manchester Community Response Fund
Caritas Shrewsbury are proud to be working with a coalition of fantastic VCFSE organisations from across Greater Manchester to launch the Greater Manchester Community Response Fund.
You can donate via: Greater Manchester Community Response Fund: Ukraine Crisis – JustGiving
Donating through CAFOD and the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Appeal
The DEC have launched an appeal for humanitarian support. The UK Government will match any donations collected through members of the DEC like Catholic Agency, Cafod, who are a part of this group. Your donation could also be eligible for Gift Aid.
To donate, please visit: https://cafod.org.uk/Give/Donate-to-Emergencies/Ukraine-Humanitarian-Appeal.
Homes for Ukraine – Hosting Ukrainian refugees
Welcoming and providing access to safe accommodation is really important for people forced to their home and take refuge in another country. On 14th March the UK Government announced a scheme to provide homes to people from Ukraine.
Before you commit to sponsoring, it is very important that you think carefully about what this will mean to you and your family.
A person or family fleeing Ukraine will be living with you for a minimum of 6 months, needing access to a safe place to stay. You might be in a position to offer a self-contained property or a room in your home.
You should consider what having someone to stay for this length of time might mean to you and your family. It’s a huge commitment to make and may have implications on your tenancy, council tax, home insurance or mortgage arrangements. You’ll need to make sure you research this carefully before applying.
We recommend that you think about the role of sponsor and research the support in your area. Would other parishioners or neighbours be able to assist? Are you able to manage potential issues around language barriers? You may be expected to be able to offer support to access services such as registering with a doctor or setting up a bank account as well as more specialist support.
People fleeing from Ukraine have very recently experienced intense trauma. They have fled their homes, livelihoods and likely left family members behind in a situation of extreme uncertainty and danger. You should be prepared for the possibility of the refugee(s) you are hosting experiencing psychological trauma which may require medical attention.
There may also be language and cultural barriers – some of which may be immediately obvious, others may take time to learn and get to know. At this stage, it is not clear what/if concrete English language support will be available in local communities.
Security checks will be necessary for hosts and for those being referred to the UK. If you do offer accommodation, the Local Authority will be responsible for checking it is safe.
Everyone applying to the UK Government to sponsor a person or family will need to name the people they would like to welcome. In partnership with other agencies, Caritas Shrewsbury are exploring the safest and best way to refer parishioners and those willing to offer their home. We will confirm this in the next few days.
If you would like to express an interest in hosting Ukrainian refugees, please email: info@caritasshrewsbury.org.uk.
Clergy and religious should contact Caritas Shrewsbury, before registering, in order that Caritas can co-ordinate support from the Diocesan Safeguarding Commission and Property Team to ensure the property is safe to welcome people. Please email: info@caritasshrewsbury.org.uk.
If you find that this programme is not suitable for you, there may be other ways that you could help including supporting a host.
If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, please email: info@caritasshrewsbury.org.uk.
Provide language support as a translator
Are you a Ukrainian or Russian speaker? Safe resettlement and integration of refugees seeking conflict depends on access to people who can translate fluently into English. If you are skilled in the main languages spoken in Ukraine, please register as a volunteer translator by contacting info@caritasshrewsbury.org.uk.
Donate to Caritas Shrewsbury to support our ongoing local work
As the social action and social justice agency of the Diocese, Caritas Shrewsbury was set up specifically to carry out local social action work While our work is not international, subject to the UK Government relaxation of visa restrictions, we intend to play a role in welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating Ukrainians and those affected by the war to our community.
For this reason, we intend to continue with our own plans for Lenten giving this year. Funds raised will support our local capability to assist people and communities. It is understandable though that there may be a different focus in your mind right now.
Write to your local MP
Through your MP you can press the British government to ensure sanctions are in place on the Russian government and its associates. You can advocate on behalf of Ukrainian people seeking refuge in the UK. In particular please join us in supporting the Together With Refugees campaign which is presently expressing concern about the Government’s Nationality and Borders Bill. This bill is going through Parliament and would further restrict the ability of Ukrainians and those fleeing conflict in other countries such as Afghanistan from seeking sanctuary here in the UK: https://togetherwithrefugees.org.uk/.
To get in touch with your local MP via email, or post to their constituency address, visit https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/ for their details.
Pray for Ukraine
Please continue to keep the people of Ukraine in your prayers along with our brothers and sisters in the wider international Caritas relief effort. The following prayer has been adapted, with thanks to CAFOD.
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine, for all who are affected by war and conflict, for all who are suffering or afraid, that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders, that the Holy Spirit will bring them compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for all our Caritas colleagues who are assisting people who are in most need in the Ukraine, on the borders and in the neighbouring countries.
We pray for the world that in this moment of crisis, we may reach out in meaningful solidarity to our brothers and sisters in need.
Help us to walk in your ways so that peace and justice become a reality for the people of Ukraine and for all the world.
We make our prayer through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Assistance for those leaving Ukraine
People emailing looking for assistance on their journey to the UK can be directed to the Home Office factsheet and helpline: https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2022/02/25/home-office-action-on-ukraine/.
Good Shepherd Donations from across the Diocese
We recently received £843.50 donation from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Upton, Wirral, for the Good Shepherd Appeal. This amazing amount was raised by the children taking part in a number of activities including; Easter egg raffle to win hampers of eggs the staff had brought in, a come to school in your own clothes day for a donation (this is always a winner) to name but a few of the activities they could participate in.
We’ve received £719.80 donation from St Bede’s Catholic Primary School in Weaverham Cheshire, for the Good Shepherd Appeal. This fantastic amount was raised by the children taking part in a number of activities including; Easter egg raffle, Chingo, Guess the name of the Easter Bunnies and also guess the number of sweets in the jar to name but a few of the activities they could participate in.
We also recently received £519.00 donation from St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School. This wonderful amount was raised by the children taking part in a number of activities including; Purple Wednesday were students were asked to wear an item of purple clothing, signifying the pain and suffering of the crucifixion and secondly the colour purple is associated with royalty and celebrates Christ’s resurrection and sovereignty, pancake flip challenge, photo competition ‘Lent through a Lens’ to name but a few of the activities they could participate in.
This money will be put to good use, helping those less fortunate in our community. Once again a BIG thank you to the children, staff and parents for their support.
Nobody cares because nobody listens
These are the final words of a powerful presentation given by the SENsitive Group to candidates standing for Greater Manchester Mayor, demanding better support for children with special educational needs (SEN). This was part of a broader Assembly organised by Greater Manchester Citizen’s, a coalition of faith and community organisations across Greater Manchester. Almost 550 people Zoomed in on the night, over 100 from Caritas Shrewsbury.
Carla, a mother of 6 and member of the SENsitive Group that Caritas support, spoke about her 4-year battle to have her youngest son, who is nonverbal, diagnosed. The process made her question her own instincts as a mother and she asked “can you imagine looking into the eyes of your child and not knowing whether he crying because he is hungry or hurting?” Even though her son has now been diagnosed with autism, she is still trying to secure the support he desperately needs.
Shannon another member of the group, who has 2 autistic children, spoke about the impact the pandemic has had. The family lived in a first floor flat with no garden but had to self-isolate and Shannon questioned why families with SEN children are not prioritised within housing allocation.
The candidates heard the story of Leah, a 22-year old woman living in homeless accommodation, whose story shows what happens when the needs of the child are not addressed. Leah is still waiting for her diagnosis but has spent her whole life hiding away, due to severe social anxiety, where even going to the shops is virtually impossible. While many people flagged up concerns about Leah during her painful school days, no one acted. This is why Leah feels looking back on her life, “that nobody cares because nobody listens.”
Sharon, a member of the new Caritas Young Voices group, brought the candidates attention to a parliamentary report, which highlighted that 4 in 5 children, over 1 million nationwide, will not secure the support their needs merit. This will impact future wellbeing, education and life chances.
The SENsitive Group invited election candidates to work with them to:
- Make EHCP assessments & support simpler, faster and more accessible
- Bring the main SEN agencies together to hear families experiences and work on solutions to improve services
- To provide resources to support the voluntary sector so they can form a network of support across Manchester
- To employ SEN case workers to help families navigate the system
Candidates, all visibly moved by the stories, responded positively. The key task for the SENsitive group is to hold the winning candidate accountably after the election for promises made on the night. If you would like more information, or are interested in supporting this work, please email: gerry.flanagan@caritasshrewsbury.org.uk
The Caritas Home Spring Nature Project
Newly built nest boxes, bug boxes for children to paint and colour, wild flower seeds to plant, bird feeders and nature identity charts – a package of goodies to help families and individuals connect with nature in their own gardens and balconies! This is to help get spring off to a flying start!
The Caritas Home Spring Nature Project will provide enjoyment and activities for children with SEND who are part of the SENsitive Group, as well as developing mindfulness for men involved in the Mend Minds Group.
On hearing about the project, 6 primary schools in Wythenshawe are now interested in becoming involved! Thank you to Buzz, Manchester Health and Wellbeing Service for funding this project. Despite the rumours, spring is still coming!
Are You Eligible for Free Mobile Data During the Crisis?
Schools and councils can use the below website to request free mobile data increases for families who don’t have broadband at home and can’t afford extra data for devices. Three, Smarty, Virgin Mobile, EE, Tesco Mobile & Sky Mobile are all taking part in the scheme.
https://get-help-with-tech.education.gov.uk/about-increasing-mobile-data
Caritas at Christmas 2020
Thank you to all our supporters and https://www.cheadle-jun.stockport.sch.uk/ for their generous donations towards our Caritas at Christmas appeal. This support means we have been able to provide Christmas Hampers, toys and gifts to the people in need within the Diocese. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.
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