NEWS

Meeting Point has remained open every week in 2020, supporting refugees and asylum seekers throughout the pandemic.

It’s been a tough year for us all but for those in society who already started the crisis marginalised and disadvantaged, it has been even harder.

We are wanting to make this Christmas special in some way for everyone and so are launching our Christmas appeal with that in mind.

Please consider gifting the following items for us to distribute:

New winter warmers: Socks/ gloves/ scarves

Toiletries gift sets

Cash: Our Hardship Fund provides destitute asylum seekers and refugees with essential cash provision. Donate financially to Meeting Point and 100% funds will go to them, not on general project costs.

To donate, please visit the donate page.

Thank you so much

Mondays at Meeting Point continue to take place from Christ Church in Armley. A safe and socially distanced drop-in takes place, distributing food, clothing, toiletries, household items and a take away hot meal. Temperatures are checked on arrival and masks are required when inside the church building.

All refugees and asylum seekers are welcome to attend from 3pm

We are accepting donations of food, clothing, toiletries and household items. These can be dropped off on Mondays any time from 10am, but please let us know in advance if you are planning to attend.

There are no other Meeting Point activities taking place from Christ Church on any other days of the week. When it is safe to recommence with small group activitites we will do so and keep you updated here and on our face book page.

Thank you from us all! The Meeting Point team x

As we slowly transition out of full lockdown here is a brief update on activities at Meeting Point.

Christ Church has started to reopen for limited services and activities and it will be nice to have the building back in fuller use again.

In terms of Meeting Point activities, things are not going to change dramatically at the moment. We have already begun allowing more beneficiaries in at a time to the socially distanced drop-in, as well as beginning to give out some clothing and household goods. Everything is done safely and in accordance with government guidelines and we are trying to retain some kind of normality and continuity for beneficiaires.

Deliveries are gradually being reduced. We are encouraging single people to attend in person to collect their food parcels etc but appreciate it is difficult for families with the children not at school and so are continuing delivering to families for the month of August, before reassessing again.

We are beginning to consider the possibility of some small group work starting in September – English classes being the most obvious to start with, though of course the working arrangements of them will have to change somewhat. Other small group activities are likely to be more possible as the weeks go on and we will continue to keep you updated on any developments.

Huge thanks again to everyone who has supported during this difficult time so far. Your help, support and encouragement has kept us going!

They may be in lockdown but that doesn’t stop the Meeting Point Women’s Group connecting and supporting each other remotely. Many are also using their crafting and knitting skills to keep busy and help lower anxiety. Together, we will get through this difficult time.

Some comments from group members:

‘I am knitting my way through my anxiety. It helps a lot, thanks’

‘I made some laundry bags for NHS staff for during lockdown with the help from Meeting Point, thanks team, you helped me not get stress, but you keep me busy’

‘Some people deserve more than just a thank you – the Meeting Point team! You have a special place in our hearts. Thanks for everything! You made my day fabulous’

‘In this time of lockdown I have made these blankets – be encouraged ladies!’

We distributed and delivered 63 food parcels and 100 hot meals yesterday, feeding 114 people! Thankyou everyone!

One lady sent us a message saying: ‘Thank you so much for the food. I was so happy happy when I found the lamb. I started working on it for dinner and enjoyed dinner then went to bed early. Thank you so much with the food. Keep blessed with all the others who make it happen. You make me keep going for sure – not easy in this difficult time’