US still aids asylum seekers while drop-in centres shut
THE UNITED Synagogue’s Chesed department has come up with new ways to assist asylum seekers during the pandemic, given the temporary closure of the drop-in centres at its Hendon and Woodford Forest shuls.
Asylum seekers were offered food, vouchers, befriending and mentoring at the centres.
In their absence, they are receiving customised packs of essentials put together by volunteers.
Sent out weekly, they contain toiletries, nappies, clothing, toys, books, bedding and more. Families have also been provided with kitchen equipment, laptops and large baby items such as cots and baths. The Tesco vouchers they received at the drop-in centres are now posted to them.
Items for the packs are supplied to US Chesed by Goods for Good. There have also been donations from US members.
Hannah Gerson from US Chesed said: “Although we have not been able to run ‘in person’ drop-in centres due to the most recent lockdown, the families we help are still in desperate need of support. So it is crucial that we have been able to provide these packs.
“A huge thank you to our volunteers who help us to put the packs together and deliver them to the families, as well as to our befriending team who speak to our guests regularly.
“As the lockdown restrictions are starting to ease, we are looking forward to opening our centres in a Covidsafe manner in the upcoming weeks.”