This past Sunday, STAR had the privilege of partnering with BUGS and charity Young Roots to run a Walk-a-Thon in support of refugee and asylum seeking youth. For many young refugees and asylum seekers in the UK, adjusting to a new life is a massive challenge.
Many youths arrive in the UK without their families and are left with minimal support to navigate refugee laws, adjust to a new culture and language, and make a living for themselves. Moreover, many wish to access higher education and build a better life for themselves, but due to high tuition fees, language barriers, and complicated legislation, this can be a very difficult process. This is why, in honor of World Access to Higher Education Day, we decided to raise funds for Young Roots, which works to support young refugees and asylum seekers– both in terms of adjustment and wellbeing, and building a brighter future for themselves. They provide English language mentoring, intensive one-to-one casework, legal advice, therapeutic services, and activities aimed to leadership and wellbeing, as well as adjust to British culture. In 2022, they were able to support 873 refugees and asylum seekers, and we hope that our donation will help them continue to do so.
On the day of the walk, it was gray and chilly, but we still had a great turn out. We met outside the university library and followed a scenic skyline trail down to the city center, up to Alexandra Park, and back to uni. The entire walk lasted around five hours, but was split into three legs so people could take breaks and leave as they wished. After our first leg, we had a longer refreshment break at the Locksbrook Inn pub in town, where we could all rest and get a hot drink. We took this time to also educate attendees about refugee policy in the UK and Young Roots’s cause. Before and after the walk, we circulated a donation page where people could either donate directly or get sponsors to pledge a certain amount for every kilometer walked. In total, the walk lasted 18 kilometers and we raised 185 pounds for Young Roots. We are so grateful to everyone who came to the walk, donated, and helped to make this event happen!
And a big congratulations to Poetica Wang who is Novembers Volunteer of the Month because her contribution and organisation of Bath STAR and BUGS fundraising walk-a-thon.