“I had been reading about the RefYouMe scheme for quite a while and wanted to join one day. I used my employers ‘Volunteer Day’ to get Friday off to join the September trip.
First thoughts? I am tired! The Refugee Community Kitchen day was really full on. We rolled up our sleeves and mixed, peeled, chopped & washed up to help get over 800 hot meals prepared. I was really struck by the range of ages and nationalities of the volunteers I met in the kitchen who worked so well as a team even on their first day there.
I was apprehensive on the journey to Calais – I think this is natural as I have not done anything like this before – but I thought ‘Just go for it’ and I have made memories for life with what I have done, who I have met and what I have learned about displaced people in Calais.
The key thought that will remain with me is how the refugees I met appeared so positive and resilient despite being stuck here for so long – they have so much hope for a better life. My advice to you, if you are thinking of volunteering, is go and see it with your own eyes, hear their stories – you wont regret it.”
Caroline
Thank you, Caroline, for making a difference in Calais. We are so grateful to you for joining one of our trips and for sharing your experience.
If you’d like to use your company volunteering days to make a difference like Caroline, please do find our upcoming trip dates here.
If you can spare a weekend and the cost of the trip then we will organise everything else to get you to Calais, so you can see for yourself the importance of direct support and giving and the difference you can make.
All donated funds are directed to the grassroots charities on the ground helping refugees in Calais and used for the most urgent requirements and those most desperately in need. If you would rather purchase an item of need please go to our shop and see exactly where you money goes.
