News and Stories
From Dusk Till Dawn: My 112-Mile Dunwich Dynamo Ride for St Augustine’s Centre
Hi – I’m Jess and I’m one of the co-chairs of Trustees here at St Augustine’s.I am writing this blog sitting on a train on my way back from Suffolk... Read more
Olympic Inspirations: Isha’s Swimming Journey
The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics have just begun, showcasing talent, events, and stories from around the world. Among the most moving are those of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, which... Read more
At 82, Dick Robinson’s just can’t stop walking for St Augustine’s!
THE ALL TOGETHER CHALLENGEThe All Together 24 Challenge is an ambitious initiative to collectively travel 24,907 miles—the circumference of the Earth— and to raise £24,000 in 2024. We are already... Read more
Hakar’s Call for Peace: Advocating for Conflict Resolution in Palestine and Beyond
As the violence in Gaza and the West Bank continues with little or no meaningful challenge, the enormity of human suffering is hard to comprehend. Wars and conflicts in Ukraine,... Read more
United Through Football During the EURO Championships: Arsalan’s Journey with St Augustine’s FC
It has been a summer of football with the EURO 2024 Championships taking place in Germany. I am sure the vast majority of us have watched England slumber their way... Read more
Embracing Pride Month: My Story
Landing in a new country and starting from scratch is a tough decision, especially when you leave behind a life filled with achievements and accomplishments. You arrive with feelings of... Read more
Exploring The Yorkshire Dales: A Weekend of Solace
21 of our Centre Members recently attended a weekend residential near Grassington, a lovely village in the Yorkshire Dales, which became a sanctuary of experiences, friendship, and personal growth. Besara, Mahin, and Anisa were among... Read more
Inspiring Voices: Celebrating International Women’s Day
Happy International Women's Day! Today, we join the global celebration of the achievements of women worldwide. Two-thirds of our staff are women and over 40% of those we support are women and girls.... Read more
Sharing Stories of Yoga
St Augustine's Centre Members have been focusing on their breathing, mindfulness and bodily awareness whilst being guided through weekly Yoga Sessions with Adele from Adele's Yoga, taking place at Calderdale... Read more
Finding Sanctuary in Table Tennis
Since August '23, our weekly table tennis sessions, held in collaboration with Halifax Table Tennis Club and hosted at their venue, have welcomed 67 Centre Members - all seeking sanctuary... Read more
St Augustine’s Skydive Fundraiser Success
Soaring Triumph: St. Augustine's Skydive Success Join us in revisiting our recent skydive fundraising adventure! Becky, Paul, and Arsalan took the plunge on a clear Friday afternoon at Skydive Hibaldstow,... Read more
Creative Writing Residential: Arvon’s Lumb Bank
Unleashing Creativity: A Week of Writing at Arvon's Lumb Bank In October, nine of our centre members, alongside artists from Ukraine enjoyed a week of creative expression at Arvon's Lumb Bank, Hebden Bridge; this... Read more
Celebrating National Befriending Week 2023
National Befriending Week 2023 is here, and it's time to celebrate and strengthen the essential work of befriending organisations across the UK. This year's theme, "Befriending is Support," highlights the... Read more
A Call for a Ceasefire & Humanitarian response in the Middle East: Letter to the UK Government and Labour Leadership
LETTER SENT TO THE UK GOVERNMENT (13th November 2023) Dear Prime Minister, We are twelve Trustees who govern a Halifax (West Yorkshire) community centre which specialises in supporting people fleeing war and persecution. This letter... Read more
A minute’s silence for the Palestine-Israel conflict
Last weekend, our Walk & Talk group explored Ogden Water Nature Reserve, on a 5-mile journey along the reservoir, onto the wild hills, and through the winding woods. During the... Read more
World Food Day 2023: The Welcome Café
Every year on October 16th, the world comes together to observe World Food Day. The day aims to raise awareness about global hunger and the need for food security. Our 'Welcome Café serves... Read more
Black History Month 2023: Saluting our St Augustine’s Sisters
As we commemorate Black History Month in 2023, we shine a spotlight on two remarkable Black women, Florence and Eva, who have not only triumphed over the hurdles posed by the... Read more
Exploring the Yorkshire Dales: A Weekend of Adventure and Bonding
Recently, a group of centre members embarked on a journey to the picturesque Yorkshire Dales. Amidst the countryside landscape, the group engaged in an array of activities. From hiking to engaging in arts... Read more
Climate (Im)Mobilities: The Current Global Era of Migration
The Story of September 2023 As Storm Daniel ravaged the northeastern part of Libya, there stood two ageing, ignored, and decayed dams, both built in the 1970s, ready to burst.... Read more
The disastrous new 7-day move on notice change: Can you become a host?
Urgent Appeal for Hosts as Homelessness Among Refugees Surges Recent government policy changes have sent shockwaves through the refugee support community, as newly-recognised refugees now face an alarming reduction in... Read more
Our Director Sara Robinson gives a round up on recent immigration news
It’s sometimes hard to believe how quickly the deplorable use of the word ‘illegals’ has become common place within our media and government, as if people fleeing war and persecution... Read more
Refugee Week 2023: Open Day
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of our 2023 Open Day, dedicated to Refugee Week and World Refugee Day. Despite the... Read more