Clothes for the destitute

A Red Cross project in Cardiff that provides clothing for destitute asylum seekers is celebrating success after helping more than 200 people in the last six months.

The asylum seekers’ clothing project, which launched in 2001, helps newly arrived asylum seekers to access emergency supplies of clothing. It is based at Trinity Methodist Church in Cardiff.

Lisa Kenny, senior services manager, said: “The people we meet typically arrive in the UK having endured difficult travelling experiences. Often they are wearing damaged and inappropriate clothing for the British climate.

“They are referred to us by asylum seeker support agencies and we then provide them with clothing, shoes and bedding."

However, the benefits don't stop there. Lisa continued: "Our clients often get to know the volunteers and hear about other useful Red Cross services, such as international tracing and message.”

	The people we meet typically arrive in the UK wearing damaged and inappropriate clothing for the British climate. Lisa Kenny, senior services manager

Encouragingly, two former clients have now become volunteers themselves. One of these, Ahmed*, first visited the project with his family in July. Over the next few months, he visited the project regularly and got to know the volunteers. 

Ahmed remembers: "I asked them how they started volunteering themselves and that's when I heard about becoming a first aid volunteer.”

After successfully completing a training course, Ahmed is now a member of the Cardiff first aid group and often provides cover at public events in the area. 

He said: "I'd never done first aid before, so it's been great to learn some new skills and cover big events in Cardiff.”

(*Name has been changed.)