News and Stories
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
FUNDRAISING SKYDIVE – ALL DONATIONS DOUBLED!
3 of our brave staff - Becky, Paul, and Arsalan - will be leaping out of a plane from 15,000ft in the air in this first-ever fundraiser skydive for St Augustine's. 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
Name Me Lawand: Film Screening
Name Me Lawand 'Name Me Lawand' tells the powerful story of a young, deaf Kurdish refugee who finds solace in Derby and learns to communicate via BSL at the Royal... 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
Refugee Week 2023: Compassion Goes LARGE
Main image by Sand In Your Eye Compassion Goes LARGE On Thursday, June 15th, in support of Refugee Week 2023, we made an extraordinary statement to demonstrate our solidarity with... Read more
Refugee Week 2023: Birds of Compassion
Birds of Compassion Hello. Join us and make a bird (or two!) for this wonderful Refugee Week project. We will be displaying your bird of compassion alongside hundreds of others at Artworks from... Read more
Sudan – making a difference together
Mohammed, one of our Centre Members and hugely valued volunteers, lives in Halifax with his family. Here he writes about the devastating conflict in Sudan, and how you can support... Read more
A Helping Hand: building friendships and confidence together
Did you know that we run a befriending programme? It’s called A Helping Hand and it offers refugees and people seeking asylum one-to-one support to help them settle in Calderdale... Read more
Arrived: You are free to dance. You are free to smile
Nelson, a former Centre Member and volunteer at St Augustine’s has been collaborating with sound artist, Alice Gilmour. Alice has just released a new track called Arrived, which features Nelson... Read more
Being greener – how we’re putting sustainability and climate justice at the heart of what we do
Our Co-Chair Jess shares how St Augustine's Centre is putting sustainability and climate justice at the heart of what we do. This month there’s been high excitement at the centre as... Read more
Partnership with Halifax Star goes from strength to strength
Over 50 of our centre members have been going to Wednesday evening boxing sessions at Halifax Star Boxing Club. Run by current professional heavyweight boxer Josh Sandland and ex-boxer... Read more
Support our latest fundraising stars – Rose, Sabbah, Javad and Patrick
This April, four of our supporters will be lacing up their boots and trainers ready to embark on a physical challenge to raise money for St Augustine's. Rose, Sabbah & Javad Rose Wheeler... Read more
Your generous support helps us to exceed our Aviva fundraising target
At the end of last year we launched a fundraising campaign with the Aviva Community Fund. Donations up to the value of £250 were matched by Aviva to help us tackle... Read more
My experience volunteering with refugees in Northern France
Our Co-Chair Andrew recently spent two weeks volunteering with Care4Calais and meeting refugees in northern France with his partner Jennifer Mason. Here is his account of the experience. Image above:... Read more