Cambridge University Student Action for Refugees

Projects

If you are interested in taking part in any of the following, please e-mail us at custar-committeesrcf.ucam.org!

Befriending

STAR volunteers pair up with a local refugee whom they meet on a regular basis, in order to give them support with adjusting to life in Cambridge. This is a valuable way to help refugees practise their English and become more integrated, whilst enabling you to get to know someone on a more personal level. It can involve anything from chatting, reading the newspaper together, going to the museum to helping them with college work, depending on what takes your fancy.

Oakington visits

STAR volunteers have recently begun visiting refugees at Oakington Detention Centre. The detention centre is situated approximately half an hour outside Cambridge (accessible by bus) and houses roughly 350 detainees. Visiting is co-ordinated through Oakington Friends Groups who provide two compulsory training sessions for volunteers. Visitors are assigned a refugee whom they visit on a regular basis, preferably once a week. It is possible to visit in pairs if preferred. As detainees are isolated from the outside world, volunteers provide much solace in times of loneliness and distress and it is generally found that this is an extremely worthwhile thing to do.

School workshops

Working with the Harambee centre, we are taking workshops to local schools, in order to raise awareness of refugee issues and bust media myths. Both fun and interesting for the kids and us! The most recent workshop was to Comberton Village School where three classes were given to year 10 students as part of their Citizenship day.

Refugee week

The Refugee Week is a UK-wide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK, and encourages a better understanding between communities. Refugee Week 2008 is taking place from 16th to 22th June. STAR are planning to put on events in Cambridge including a day trip for local Refugees around the University, in order to give them an opportunity to see the sights! Activities will include lunch in Kings, tours of the colleges and punting.

Conversation Classes

Cambridge STAR has recently set up a weekly English conversation class for local refugees. It is an informal get together of volunteers and refugees. The group takes place on Saturdays during Termtime at 3pm in the Cafe Project (22 Jesus Lane). Feel free to come along whenever you like!