Instead of our usual Christmas party where families come and meet Santa, this year we took Santa to them!

In the week before Christmas, 10 volunteer Santas took out over 500 gifts to 350 people, including 200 children. With the help of 16 other volunteers, they wrapped and delivered all of the gifts and put a smile on so many faces.

For New Year we also organized an online magic show for the children with the help of Jamie from Magic for Smiles!

A total of 284 people enjoyed a wonderful day on Exmouth Beach last weekend, as Bridges undertook its annual trip to see the sea. It was pure joy watching the families have fun playing in the sand, splashing in the sea, sharing homecooked food in large groups, and enjoying the fresh sea air!

Many thanks to the volunteers who came with us and helped make sure things ran smoothly, and also to the organisations and individuals who helped to fund the trip - we couldn't have done it without you!

 Here's what one of the participants, Wafa,  - who only arrived in Bristol a few weeks ago - had to say about the trip:

" I will most remember seeing different cultures having fun on the beach, enjoying time with their kids and chatting together. I really enjoyed the bus trip, seeing the green countryside, the sea view and the beautiful weather.

A trip like this is important because it helps people from different cultures to engage together, accept each other’s differences, and see that wherever we are we can treat each other with dignity. For example, a British girl enjoying the sun with very little clothes on, and a Muslim lady with a swimsuit that covers everything including her hair also enjoying the beach.

It’s great that people new to Bristol, like my family, can meet others who have been in Bristol longer and they can help to answer my questions about study, work, life in Bristol etc…It helps to see there are other refugees in Bristol who have adapted their lives and are having fun and getting to know each other.

Next time it would be great to have some more some sun-shades for shelter, and maybe make a video to help people understand the trip." 

Refugees and asylum seekers are faced with many challenges as they seek to rebuild their lives in the UK, and it can often feel impossible to find the time to simply relax, have fun, and connect with others who have been through similar experiences. Our programme of Refugee Social Events aims to ease this difficulty, giving refugees and asylum seekers the chance to take a break from the challenges of daily life and simply enjoy a fun day out.

April may not be the best month for a trip to Weston beach in terms of the weather, but when you've not left the city all winter, even the half hour coach journey through the countryside, past fields full of lambs and blossoming trees can be refreshing for the soul.

On Sunday 4th February 2018, 85 people from our befriending programme came together for a lunch party at Easton Community Centre in Bristol. 

This summer, we've organised several special events and trips to try give refugees a brief respite from the challenges of daily life, and a chance to connect with others.