Mildert for Refugees
est. 2022
Director Introduction
I am Will Horrell, third-year History student and Project Director for Mildert for Refugees this year. I like football, music and listening to podcasts. Being part of MFR is deeply meaningful to me—it gives students the chance to connect with and support members of our local community while learning so much about their lives. It has definitely been the most rewarding and eye-opening activity I have done during my time at Durham.
Overview
We run weekly volunteer-led sessions to support displaced communities across Durham.
Motivation
Our work aims to help refugees by creating spaces of warmth, trust and community in a time of displacement and uncertainty for many. Areas across Durham are inhabited by refugee communities that are navigating the challenges of resettlement, and we aim to walk alongside them in this journey by creating a welcoming community within which they can feel genuinely supported, seen and heard.
What We Do
We host weekly 2-hour sessions during Epiphany Term where volunteers can talk to and engage with refugee communities. These sessions are designed to be interactive and engaging for all age groups. We do arts and crafts with the children and share a cup of tea with the parents, chatting to them about their experiences as refugees living in Durham and being away from their home country.
Outcome
Our support for displaced communities is greatly valued by our regular participants. For those who come to our sessions, the programme offers an opportunity for joy, connection and a supportive environment in unfamiliar circumstances. For our volunteers, it is a great opportunity to grow in empathy and understanding while contributing meaningfully to the local community, helping them to broaden their horizons.