As we embrace the winter season, we reflect on a year filled with connection, care, and growth at Borderlands. This edition is dedicated to the memory of Aine Burke, a mentor, therapist, and compassionate presence in our community. Aine’s legacy of kindness and support reminds us of the values at the heart of Borderlands: warmth, sharing, dignity, and respect to all. |
As we embrace the winter season, we reflect on a year filled with connection, care, and growth at Borderlands. This edition is dedicated to the memory of Aine Burke, a mentor, therapist, and compassionate presence in our community. Aine’s legacy of kindness and support reminds us of the values at the heart of Borderlands: warmth, sharing, dignity, and respect to all. |
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Dear friend, as I write this little piece, we are soon to celebrate the winter solstice, shortest day of the year and start of winter, and it naturally seems the right time to reflect on one of our core values at Borderlands: warmth. Warmth takes many forms in our space. It is the smile of our welcome centre team, welcoming a newly arrived member; warmth is what you breath when you enter the English classes, and you observe the dedication and care of English teachers. Warm is the food that our amazing talented chefs cook every Tuesday for 60+ people; warm is how the women’ bodies feel after our yoga sessions; warmth is the hug I receive from my fantastic colleagues when entering the office; and finally… warmth is what we want members, staff, visitors, volunteers to feel when they leave Borderlands. May this upcoming year be a year of warmth for you all, your families and your loved ones. I thank you as you continue supporting our work whilst we endeavour to nurture this warmth at Borderlands and in all the work we do. Thank you for keeping walking alongside us! With warmth, sharing, dignity, and respect for all! Merry festive season, Susi, CEO |
Dear friend, as I write this little piece, we are soon to celebrate the winter solstice, shortest day of the year and start of winter, and it naturally seems the right time to reflect on one of our core values at Borderlands: warmth. Warmth takes many forms in our space. It is the smile of our welcome centre team, welcoming a newly arrived member; warmth is what you breath when you enter the English classes, and you observe the dedication and care of English teachers. Warm is the food that our amazing talented chefs cook every Tuesday for 60+ people; warm is how the women’ bodies feel after our yoga sessions; warmth is the hug I receive from my fantastic colleagues when entering the office; and finally… warmth is what we want members, staff, visitors, volunteers to feel when they leave Borderlands. May this upcoming year be a year of warmth for you all, your families and your loved ones. I thank you as you continue supporting our work whilst we endeavour to nurture this warmth at Borderlands and in all the work we do. Thank you for keeping walking alongside us! With warmth, sharing, dignity, and respect for all! Merry festive season, Susi, CEO |
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What´s been happening at Borderlands... |
What´s been happening at Borderlands... |
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| As the colder months set in, our Monday cooking sessions have once again become a warming highlight at the Welcome Centre. These sessions provide an opportunity for members living in hotels, without kitchen facilities, to come together, cook, and share meals inspired by their home countries. It's not just about food—it's about warmth, culture, and creating a sense of belonging within our community. A huge thank you to everyone who donated and helped make these sessions possible! |
As the colder months set in, our Monday cooking sessions have once again become a warming highlight at the Welcome Centre. These sessions provide an opportunity for members living in hotels, without kitchen facilities, to come together, cook, and share meals inspired by their home countries. It's not just about food—it's about warmth, culture, and creating a sense of belonging within our community. A huge thank you to everyone who donated and helped make these sessions possible! |
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Our Wednesday Sewing Group, in partnership with Bridges for Communities, has been hard at work creating beautifully crafted birds for the project "Taking Flight for Christmas." Birds were chosen as a universal symbol of peace, representing personal journeys and migration stories. The tree, sponsored by The Arts Society, has been lovingly decorated with these incredible creations, showcasing the talent and creativity of the women involved in the sewing group. |
Our Wednesday Sewing Group, in partnership with Bridges for Communities, has been hard at work creating beautifully crafted birds for the project "Taking Flight for Christmas." Birds were chosen as a universal symbol of peace, representing personal journeys and migration stories. The tree, sponsored by The Arts Society, has been lovingly decorated with these incredible creations, showcasing the talent and creativity of the women involved in the sewing group. |
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Stitching Together provides welcoming and supportive spaces for refugee and asylum-seeking women in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Through stitching and textiles, participants not only express themselves creatively but also build confidence, improve spoken English, and form lasting friendships. |
Stitching Together provides welcoming and supportive spaces for refugee and asylum-seeking women in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Through stitching and textiles, participants not only express themselves creatively but also build confidence, improve spoken English, and form lasting friendships. |
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Celebrating 7 years of making art with our members! |
Celebrating 7 years of making art with our members! |
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We have now been going for 7 years! Every week we put two long tables together and cover them with a sturdy plastic cloth, then arrange a selection of art materials - pencils, crayons, felt tips, paints, paper. We also place colouring books on other tables for those too shy to come to the Art Table - they are always well used. Sometimes things are quiet, with just a few people coming to the Art Table, sometimes it is really busy, all sorts of people really intent on their drawing or painting - or playing with wooden blocks or plasticine. And on occasions lively conversations develop. The Art Table is particularly valuable for people struggling to express themselves in a new language, as they can express themselves in a non-verbal way through art. |
We have now been going for 7 years! Every week we put two long tables together and cover them with a sturdy plastic cloth, then arrange a selection of art materials - pencils, crayons, felt tips, paints, paper. We also place colouring books on other tables for those too shy to come to the Art Table - they are always well used. Sometimes things are quiet, with just a few people coming to the Art Table, sometimes it is really busy, all sorts of people really intent on their drawing or painting - or playing with wooden blocks or plasticine. And on occasions lively conversations develop. The Art Table is particularly valuable for people struggling to express themselves in a new language, as they can express themselves in a non-verbal way through art. |
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The Art Table can also be a stepping stone to greater involvement in the community. Several people who started their art journey at Borderlands have gone on to form the Bristol Refugee Artists Collective, and now exhibit their work widely. Nabil, who helps to run the Art Table, will be exhibiting his work at the South Bank Centre in London next year. As facilitators of the Art Table, we also have a good time - meeting new people, seeing people develop and gain confidence, and being fascinated by the work that people produce, and the stories they tell. And we join in doing some art ourselves! Chris, Marian and Nabil |
The Art Table can also be a stepping stone to greater involvement in the community. Several people who started their art journey at Borderlands have gone on to form the Bristol Refugee Artists Collective, and now exhibit their work widely. Nabil, who helps to run the Art Table, will be exhibiting his work at the South Bank Centre in London next year. As facilitators of the Art Table, we also have a good time - meeting new people, seeing people develop and gain confidence, and being fascinated by the work that people produce, and the stories they tell. And we join in doing some art ourselves! Chris, Marian and Nabil |
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We also reflect on the beautiful memories created during our forest day trip. |
We also reflect on the beautiful memories created during our forest day trip. |
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Thanks to a generous fundraiser sparked by a group in Bristol, we were able to bring children and families residing in hotels to Westbury Wildlife Park for a day of fun and connection. With a warm lunch cooked by our talented chefs, creative activities, and the chance to explore nature, the families had a truly magical day. |
Thanks to a generous fundraiser sparked by a group in Bristol, we were able to bring children and families residing in hotels to Westbury Wildlife Park for a day of fun and connection. With a warm lunch cooked by our talented chefs, creative activities, and the chance to explore nature, the families had a truly magical day. |
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A special thank you to everyone who contributed to making this day unforgettable!
We’re excited to expand our outreach project in the New Year and warmly welcome Abbe as our new Outreach Officer, alongside Sezab, who will be connecting with members beyond Borderlands. Together, they will bring warmth and support into asylum hotels across the city, focusing on digital inclusion and promoting events and support networks in these spaces. We can’t wait to see this project grow and turn exclusion into belonging. |
A special thank you to everyone who contributed to making this day unforgettable!
We’re excited to expand our outreach project in the New Year and warmly welcome Abbe as our new Outreach Officer, alongside Sezab, who will be connecting with members beyond Borderlands. Together, they will bring warmth and support into asylum hotels across the city, focusing on digital inclusion and promoting events and support networks in these spaces. We can’t wait to see this project grow and turn exclusion into belonging. |
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We are continuously grateful to all the support of our volunteers, donors and partners who make Borderlands projects possible! |
We are continuously grateful to all the support of our volunteers, donors and partners who make Borderlands projects possible! |
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This year, we celebrated our volunteers' incredible hard work and dedication with a festive party filled with delicious food and fun activities. A highlight of the event was our Christmas Tree Challenge, where groups dressed up one team member as a Christmas tree. It was a wonderful occasion to show our appreciation for the invaluable contributions of our volunteers, making this holiday season even brighter. |
This year, we celebrated our volunteers' incredible hard work and dedication with a festive party filled with delicious food and fun activities. A highlight of the event was our Christmas Tree Challenge, where groups dressed up one team member as a Christmas tree. It was a wonderful occasion to show our appreciation for the invaluable contributions of our volunteers, making this holiday season even brighter. |
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Thank you to everyone who helped make this celebration so special! |
Thank you to everyone who helped make this celebration so special! |
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“[My mentor] was one of the first people I really spoke to - she helped me find friends and community. When we speak together it improved my self-confidence. Before meeting, I was scared of people and didn't want to share about my life. After we met, I felt so much more confident speaking to strangers.” |
“[My mentor] was one of the first people I really spoke to - she helped me find friends and community. When we speak together it improved my self-confidence. Before meeting, I was scared of people and didn't want to share about my life. After we met, I felt so much more confident speaking to strangers.” |
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This autumn the mentoring project welcomed back Olivia who returned from maternity leave. We’d like to say a big thank you to Abbe for her contribution to the project! Annora and Olivia have been busy recruiting new mentors and organising training for the new year - we are excited to welcome a new cohort of mentors in January. Alongside recruitment, we have been making visits to key agencies across the city, in a bid to strengthen ties and share our new referral guidelines. In other news, we are proud that our support offering for mentors now includes monthly group supervisions facilitated by Katherine Cox, clinical lead at Trauma Foundation Southwest, as well as regular development training and peer support sessions. We are delighted to have supported 19 mentees this Autumn and we look forward to supporting another eight early next year when we have completed our latest mentor training. |
This autumn the mentoring project welcomed back Olivia who returned from maternity leave. We’d like to say a big thank you to Abbe for her contribution to the project! Annora and Olivia have been busy recruiting new mentors and organising training for the new year - we are excited to welcome a new cohort of mentors in January. Alongside recruitment, we have been making visits to key agencies across the city, in a bid to strengthen ties and share our new referral guidelines. In other news, we are proud that our support offering for mentors now includes monthly group supervisions facilitated by Katherine Cox, clinical lead at Trauma Foundation Southwest, as well as regular development training and peer support sessions. We are delighted to have supported 19 mentees this Autumn and we look forward to supporting another eight early next year when we have completed our latest mentor training. |
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| During the colder months, our amazing team of volunteer teachers brought festive cheer and creativity to the English Project. The season was marked by Christmas-themed lessons that combined fun and learning, featuring quizzes, crafting, presentations, and a joyful celebration. Activities included a lively game of pass the parcel, organized by the wonderful Kate, a hilarious round of ‘pin the nose on Rudolph’ (with some cheeky cheating!), and a highly competitive session of musical chairs. |
During the colder months, our amazing team of volunteer teachers brought festive cheer and creativity to the English Project. The season was marked by Christmas-themed lessons that combined fun and learning, featuring quizzes, crafting, presentations, and a joyful celebration. Activities included a lively game of pass the parcel, organized by the wonderful Kate, a hilarious round of ‘pin the nose on Rudolph’ (with some cheeky cheating!), and a highly competitive session of musical chairs. |
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Carl, one of our devoted volunteer teachers, reflects on his time teaching at Borderlands: "Teaching English at Borderlands over the last two years has given me some of the most memorable and rewarding experiences of my career. There is something very special about being able to help those who genuinely need it, and it is incredibly satisfying to use my skills towards such a valuable end." "The class members, who come from a wide variety of countries, clearly value the opportunity these classes provide, and their appreciation of the work of the volunteers and core staff at Borderlands is palpable. The classes and other activities at Borderlands provide an oasis of safety, security, and friendship. I look forward to teaching each week and have never looked back since I started. It is lovely being part of the organisation and to work amongst and with so many great people. Thank you, Borderlands!" |
Carl, one of our devoted volunteer teachers, reflects on his time teaching at Borderlands: "Teaching English at Borderlands over the last two years has given me some of the most memorable and rewarding experiences of my career. There is something very special about being able to help those who genuinely need it, and it is incredibly satisfying to use my skills towards such a valuable end." "The class members, who come from a wide variety of countries, clearly value the opportunity these classes provide, and their appreciation of the work of the volunteers and core staff at Borderlands is palpable. The classes and other activities at Borderlands provide an oasis of safety, security, and friendship. I look forward to teaching each week and have never looked back since I started. It is lovely being part of the organisation and to work amongst and with so many great people. Thank you, Borderlands!" |
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We extend our deepest thanks to our volunteers, whose time and effort continue to make such a meaningful difference in the lives of our members. Here's to another year of learning, connection, and community! |
We extend our deepest thanks to our volunteers, whose time and effort continue to make such a meaningful difference in the lives of our members. Here's to another year of learning, connection, and community! |
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Poetry Writing Workshop: A Creative Journey |
Poetry Writing Workshop: A Creative Journey |
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| We are thrilled to share that our Reading and Conversation Group participated in a special Poetry Writing Workshop last week. The group had the opportunity to reflect on meaningful objects, places, and memories, crafting unique poems titled "I Am From..." |
We are thrilled to share that our Reading and Conversation Group participated in a special Poetry Writing Workshop last week. The group had the opportunity to reflect on meaningful objects, places, and memories, crafting unique poems titled "I Am From..." |
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It was a beautiful session of self-expression, connection, and creativity. We're excited for future workshops like this, as they continue to offer valuable opportunities for our members to share their stories and create lasting bonds. |
It was a beautiful session of self-expression, connection, and creativity. We're excited for future workshops like this, as they continue to offer valuable opportunities for our members to share their stories and create lasting bonds. |
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Our Creative Women’s Group is a welcoming space where migrant women can connect, share, and explore creative activities in a friendly and supportive environment. |
Our Creative Women’s Group is a welcoming space where migrant women can connect, share, and explore creative activities in a friendly and supportive environment. |
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We hold weekly workshops covering a range of skills, including theatre, dance/movement, music, and visual arts, and participants are encouraged to share their own knowledge and culture through recipes, songs, dances, crafts, and more – a celebration of the group’s incredible diversity. Since September, 26 women from at least 9 countries have joined us. Our team and practitioners represented 5 different countries, reflecting the project’s migrant-led approach. We collaborated with talented Bristol-based artists, including Ania Varez, Sayambrita Mukherjee, and Hiba Elhindi, who led inspiring workshops. A special thank you to Imen, our amazing Workshop Assistant. |
We hold weekly workshops covering a range of skills, including theatre, dance/movement, music, and visual arts, and participants are encouraged to share their own knowledge and culture through recipes, songs, dances, crafts, and more – a celebration of the group’s incredible diversity. Since September, 26 women from at least 9 countries have joined us. Our team and practitioners represented 5 different countries, reflecting the project’s migrant-led approach. We collaborated with talented Bristol-based artists, including Ania Varez, Sayambrita Mukherjee, and Hiba Elhindi, who led inspiring workshops. A special thank you to Imen, our amazing Workshop Assistant. |
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To reach more women, I ran taster sessions in central asylum hotels and community groups, with more planned in January. The project also includes cultural trips, such as free tickets to the theatre, and an upcoming visit to Weston-super-Mare, where we’ll meet another women’s group, take part in a creative workshop, enjoy some free lunch and, weather permitting, a walk along the beach! We have very exciting plans for 2025, including a Creative Leadership Training programme and a community event bringing people together over food and activities, both at Trinity Centre and in partnership with Bristol Refugee Festival. There are lots of ways to get involved! – Carlota Matos, theatre and performance artist and facilitator, working internationally with a focus on social change. |
To reach more women, I ran taster sessions in central asylum hotels and community groups, with more planned in January. The project also includes cultural trips, such as free tickets to the theatre, and an upcoming visit to Weston-super-Mare, where we’ll meet another women’s group, take part in a creative workshop, enjoy some free lunch and, weather permitting, a walk along the beach! We have very exciting plans for 2025, including a Creative Leadership Training programme and a community event bringing people together over food and activities, both at Trinity Centre and in partnership with Bristol Refugee Festival. There are lots of ways to get involved! – Carlota Matos, theatre and performance artist and facilitator, working internationally with a focus on social change. |
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| We are also excited to share our Impact Report for 2023/24 - an overview of Borderlands' activities and accomplishments throughout the last year. This year’s report reflects the positive work we have achieved together—from offering essential services and advocacy to fostering connection and empowerment through our Welcome Centre, Mentoring Project, and Learning Project. We invite you to explore the full report to see the remarkable ways in which our support has helped us make a difference. Together, we continue to create a community of dignity, warmth, and respect for all. |
We are also excited to share our Impact Report for 2023/24 - an overview of Borderlands' activities and accomplishments throughout the last year. This year’s report reflects the positive work we have achieved together—from offering essential services and advocacy to fostering connection and empowerment through our Welcome Centre, Mentoring Project, and Learning Project. We invite you to explore the full report to see the remarkable ways in which our support has helped us make a difference. Together, we continue to create a community of dignity, warmth, and respect for all. |
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We had the wonderful opportunity to visit Canopy & Stars for a 'Lunch and Learn' session. These sessions allow us to connect with local businesses, sharing insights about the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers, as well as spreading awareness about the vital work we do at Borderlands. A huge thank you to the team at Canopy & Stars for their warm hospitality and engagement. It was inspiring to see their interest in learning more about the challenges faced by those seeking sanctuary and their enthusiasm for supporting our mission. |
We had the wonderful opportunity to visit Canopy & Stars for a 'Lunch and Learn' session. These sessions allow us to connect with local businesses, sharing insights about the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers, as well as spreading awareness about the vital work we do at Borderlands. A huge thank you to the team at Canopy & Stars for their warm hospitality and engagement. It was inspiring to see their interest in learning more about the challenges faced by those seeking sanctuary and their enthusiasm for supporting our mission. |
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If your company would like to host a 'Lunch and Learn' session in 2025, please get in touch! Together, we can build stronger connections and raise awareness about the work we do to support dignity, warmth, and respect for all. |
If your company would like to host a 'Lunch and Learn' session in 2025, please get in touch! Together, we can build stronger connections and raise awareness about the work we do to support dignity, warmth, and respect for all. |
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This winter, we bid a fond farewell to Francisco and Caitlin, whose years of dedication have had a lasting impact in shaping the Welcome Centre. Their hard work and commitment to supporting our members have been truly invaluable, and they will be deeply missed. We also say goodbye to Imy, our incredible Learning Project Manager, whose passion and innovation has left a remarkable legacy at Borderlands. We are so grateful for all that they have achieved and the care they have brought to our community. As we reflect on these farewells, we are also excited to embrace new beginnings, we are delighted to welcome Abbe as our new Outreach Officer and look forward to introducing the rest of our new team in the New Year. |
This winter, we bid a fond farewell to Francisco and Caitlin, whose years of dedication have had a lasting impact in shaping the Welcome Centre. Their hard work and commitment to supporting our members have been truly invaluable, and they will be deeply missed. We also say goodbye to Imy, our incredible Learning Project Manager, whose passion and innovation has left a remarkable legacy at Borderlands. We are so grateful for all that they have achieved and the care they have brought to our community. As we reflect on these farewells, we are also excited to embrace new beginnings, we are delighted to welcome Abbe as our new Outreach Officer and look forward to introducing the rest of our new team in the New Year. |
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As we wrap up another year, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to every one of you—our members, volunteers, supporters, and partners—who make the work of Borderlands possible. Together, we’ve shared moments of warmth, resilience, and hope, proving once again the power of community. As we step into the New Year, we are excited to continue building on this momentum, welcoming new opportunities to support and uplift those seeking safety and belonging. We wish you and your loved ones a peaceful and joyful festive season and look forward to walking this journey together in 2024. With warmth, dignity, sharing, and respect,
The Borderlands Team
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As we wrap up another year, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to every one of you—our members, volunteers, supporters, and partners—who make the work of Borderlands possible. Together, we’ve shared moments of warmth, resilience, and hope, proving once again the power of community. As we step into the New Year, we are excited to continue building on this momentum, welcoming new opportunities to support and uplift those seeking safety and belonging. We wish you and your loved ones a peaceful and joyful festive season and look forward to walking this journey together in 2024. With warmth, dignity, sharing, and respect,
The Borderlands Team
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Copyright © 2022 Borderlands (South West) Limited, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
The Assisi Centre, Lawfords Gate, Bristol, BS5 0RE We thank you for your continued support of our work. If you would like to un-subscribe from this mailing list please click the un-subscribe button on this thread |
Copyright © 2022 Borderlands (South West) Limited, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
The Assisi Centre, Lawfords Gate, Bristol, BS5 0RE We thank you for your continued support of our work. If you would like to un-subscribe from this mailing list please click the un-subscribe button on this thread |
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