The charity helping refugees in Bristol to find a sense of belonging

A charity that works to provide a safe space and sense of belonging for refugees and asylum seekers is expanding its services to meet rising demand.

Against a backdrop of anti-refugee rhetoric in the media, Borderlands work is more important than ever for the practical support it provides, including weekly meals, English classes and exercise classes.

But beyond that, the St Jude’s-based charity works to provide something that many refugees and asylum seekers who come to Bristol miss, a sense of community and belonging.

Bristol24/7 met with members and staff from Borderlands to discuss the charity’s work.

One of the members, Michael, says: “Borderlands provides many services. I started by joining the exercise classes, which helped me to feel less depressed after fleeing the war in my country.

“Borderlands has been a supportive backbone for everyone here in Bristol, especially for those who need help like refugees and asylum seekers.”

Borderlands is expanding its services to meet rising demand

At any one time, there are about 1,500 people seeking asylum in Bristol.

Michael continued: “I think Bristol has a large number of refugees, asylum seekers and people who need help. Having charities like Borderlands helps us to get out of depression and helps people move on. We feel supported and it’s good to have a community here.

“When we came we didn’t know anyone here, we didn’t know the city. Borderlands allowed us to meet new people everyday. The staff are welcoming, you feel like you’re with your family.”

He added: “We left everything behind, our families and our friends. We came here as strangers. Borderlands helps us to feel safe and provides us with connections to other people.”

Caitlin, the interim CEO of Borderlands, said, “I think it’s very important to have welcoming spaces. Refugees and asylum seekers we meet do read the news, they do know how the government is reacting. We want to show that’s not how everyone thinks.”

Caitlin, the interim CEO of Borderlands, said it’s very important to have welcoming spaces

Caitlin continued, “We went to a festival and asked people to write messages of welcome, not one of them said they didn’t want refugees here. We want to change the rhetoric that members are hearing. Some of them ask us; why are we not wanted here? We have to say, of course, not everyone in the UK feels like this. Knowing they can come to a continuously open and welcoming space for advice and community is so important.”

Creating a vital lifeline

Borderlands aims to alleviate outside tensions and stresses on members.

“These people may have been in desperate situations,” Caitlin explained.

!Borderlands offers a space where, temporarily, we hope people can forget their hardship in arriving in the UK. We’re really fighting a battle at the moment. We want to create a space where that isn’t the focus.”

Most members hear about Borderlands through their outreach methods. This includes visiting the hotels where asylum seekers are staying. The charity works in Bristol and South Gloucestershire with hopes to widen its reach over the next few years.

Caitlin said, “We’re trying to reach those who can’t necessarily reach us. We need to make sure we’re reaching those who might feel isolated. We have had people moved to more remote locations, who would be craving that community.”

Borderlands offers members hot, halal meals – as well as a sense of community 

Bristol24/7 spoke with one of the members, Yasmin, about finding the charity.

“I was living in the hotel and they gave us a paper with a list of local charities. Borderlands had something I felt like I was missing, they had the activities I was looking for,” said Yasmin.

Speaking about the yoga classes she attends through Borderlands, Yasmin added:  “For me, the meditation takes away a lot of stress. We are in a new environment, we’ve left our families, this can cause distress. However, after yoga I feel good, more relaxed.”

The charity also offers the opportunity for members to volunteer, gaining skills in the process. Michael helps with IT support, whilst Yasmin also volunteers.

Speaking about this, Yasmin said: “I like to come in and volunteer. It makes me feel productive.”

“When you come to a new place, you can feel lost. You don’t know where to go and who to ask for answers to your questions. At Borderlands, there’s lots of people to guide you. People listen to you, so you no longer feel like a mess. I feel like I’m with my family, there’s a positive energy here. I don’t feel like a stranger in this country when I’m here.”

Michael agreed, adding: “They say what goes around comes back around. We received help, so we want to return that help, it gives us purpose.”

Andy Leake is reporting on Lawrence Hill as part of Bristol24/7’s community reporter scheme, a project which aims to tell stories from areas of Bristol traditionally under-served by the mainstream media.

All photos: Borderlands

Read next: 

• Using food to combat the cost of living crisis and isolation 
• ‘Our streets don’t belong to the far right’ 
• The refugee charities bridging borders in Bristol

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: