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Celebrating Refugee Week with stories, poetry and community at the Unitarian Church

7th July 2025NewsEventsTagged ,

As part of Refugee Week 2025, we were invited to take part in a special service on Sunday 22nd June at the Unitarian Church on New Road, Brighton. The theme of this year’s Refugee Week, Community as a Superpower, felt especially fitting as we reflected on faith, belonging, and the shared humanity that connects us all. 

The service, led by Rev Jennifer Sanders, brought together powerful images, moving words, and some of the stories of people who have been personally affected by migration or seeking asylum.  

As part of the service, our Director Alison Kelly spoke to the congregation about the history and impact of Voices in Exile, the challenges facing our service users today, and the growing importance of standing in solidarity with refugees and migrants. She called on us all to challenge anti-migrant rhetoric and celebrate the vital contributions migrants make to our communities, reminding us that Refugee Week is not only a moment of reflection, but a call to action.

A highlight of the morning was the striking photography exhibition, The Faces of Voices in Exile, by Carlos Jasso. Through his photography, Carlos aims to highlight the individuals within the Voices in Exile community – not as numbers, statistics, or outsiders, but as people building new lives, friendships, and identities. The exhibition was a tribute to the richness migrants bring to their new communities, the knowledge they share, and the resilience they embody. By showcasing their portraits, Carlos reminds us that, at our core, we are all human. Regardless of our beliefs, or backgrounds, we are individuals deserving of dignity, respect, and a place to belong. 

We were also deeply moved by a poetry reading from Nematullah (Nemat) Ahangosh, who shared three poems from his collection The Colour of Peace: Perhaps a little worried, Fitting in, and Unleash love?. Each poem reflected lived experiences of migration and the longing for peace, identity, and acceptance. 

Nemat’s poetry book The Color of Peace can be purchased here. 

One person in the congregation shared afterwards: 

“The voices from the service and the pictures really moved me this morning. It was great to be reminded of our common humanity, as our usual daily diet of reporting on refugees has such a negative feel. Thank you for coming and for your work.” 

Thank you to everyone who helped to make this event possible and to everyone who came along.

Volunteer Story: Meet Sunny, our Comms and Social Media Volunteer

17th June 2025NewsEventsTagged ,

To mark Volunteers’ Week 2025, we’re shining a spotlight on one of our brilliant volunteers, Sunny, whose story was also featured on the Community Works website as part of their Volunteers’ Week series. Sunny has been volunteering with Voices for just over a year, bringing energy, creativity and a deep sense of purpose to his role as Social Media Volunteer. In this piece, Sunny shares what drives him, how he got involved with Voices in Exile, and what volunteering means to him.

“I grew up in Beirut, Lebanon, leaving in 2018 to pursue a BA in Music at the University of Sussex. Upon graduating, I took on roles in hospitality and events – then teaching music as a primary school supply teacher. I now work full time at Music in Hospitals and Care, a charity sharing the healing power of live music across care homes, hospitals, and day centres across the UK.

I’m a passionate human rights advocate with a lifelong interest in global politics and humanitarian social affairs. I enjoy volunteering with various groups, playing and writing music, and watching football. I found out about Voices in Exile by taking part in migrants rights protests in Brighton, and eventually through my mother who became Group Facilitator.

I have been working with Voices for a year now as a Social Media Volunteer, where I manage our platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, LinkedIn) by posting regular content and also working with other volunteers to collate content to add to our socials and brand new website. I attend community events when the opportunity comes, to take pictures, gather quotes, and meet people where I can explain the positive work we do in the community. One key aspect of being a social media volunteer is the planning that comes with it – needing to have a content schedule matched with achievable goals – of when and what to post.

One of my highlights in the last year was encouraging the charity to move away from X and onto Bluesky, following other charities in the migrant sector in their move.”

 

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, or LinkedIn to keep up with all the fantastic content that Sunny and the team share! 

Celebrating Volunteer’s Week 2025: Thank you to our volunteers!

2nd June 2025NewsEventsTagged , ,

Volunteer’s Week is a national celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering. It takes place every year during the first week of June and is a chance to recognise, thank and celebrate the impact volunteers have in our communities. 

At Voices in Exile, volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. During this Volunteer’s Week, we want to take a moment to celebrate and say a huge thank you to the incredible individuals who give their time, energy and compassion to support refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants across Sussex and Surrey. 

The range of roles that our volunteers take on  

Volunteers support our work in so many different ways. From working in the food bank to helping with back-office support, admin, marketing, social media and events; from teaching English and running support groups, to mentoring clients and helping with ad-hoc tasks – like putting together flatpack furniture for someone moving into a new home, or accompanying someone to a medical appointment.  

No matter how big or small the task, every act of support makes a real and positive impact. 

20 years of support from volunteers  

This year is particularly special for us, as we mark 20 years since Voices in Exile was founded. We began as a grassroots, volunteer-led organisation – created by people who saw a need and stepped in to help. Without volunteers, Voices in Exile simply wouldn’t exist. That spirit of compassion, solidarity and community still drives us today. 

The integral part that volunteers play: Team perspectives 

As Beth, our Advice and Casework Manager, shares: 

“Volunteers are a vital part of the advice team and bring different skills and experiences. They significantly increase our capacity and reach across the whole of our service and are an invaluable part of the team. We regularly receive positive feedback from people accessing our service about their experience of the support from volunteers.” 

 In our casework team, generalist volunteers play a key role in advocacy – often making a life-changing difference to individuals who may be at risk of homelessness or destitution. Anerley, another of our Caseworkers, explains: 

“Our Generalist Volunteers get involved in advocacy making significant impact to an individual. I think having another person speak with a client offers a different approach… it makes the case more holistic and feels like we cover more areas of support.” 

In our ESOL classes and support groups, volunteers help create welcoming, inclusive spaces where people can build confidence, learn and feel part of a community. As Hayat, our Group Facilitator, says: 

“The volunteers help me to create a sense of community and belonging in the groups… The group members value their presence and look forward to seeing them every week. We’re very lucky to have such dedicated individuals in the groups.” 

Colin, our Food Bank Coordinator, sees the difference volunteers make every single day: 

“I see clients arrive with a worried frown and leave with a big smile, not just because of the food we give them but because our volunteers listen to them and engage with them… They really love working with each other and support each other. I arrive on Monday morning with a smile and leave with a bigger one!” 

Our ESOL Teacher, Tilly, summed it up beautifully: 

“The ESOL classes could not run without you. Thank you all for your time, your dedication, your good humour and your compassion.” 

From everyone at Voices in Exile, thank you. You are a vital part of our team. Your kindness, dedication and belief in a more just and welcoming world makes a real difference. This Volunteer’s Week, we celebrate you and all that you do. 

Launching our first Impact Report and kicking off our 20th anniversary celebrations

28th April 2025NewsEventsTagged ,

On Thursday 10 April, we welcomed friends, partners, and members of the local community to the Fitzherbert Centre in Kemp Town, Brighton for a very special event. It was an evening of celebration, reflection, and new beginnings as we officially launched our first Impact Report, marked the start of our 20th anniversary celebrations, and said a fond farewell to our Director, Mel Steel.

The event brought together a vibrant mix of Voices in Exile staff and volunteers, service users, supporters, fundraisers, and representatives from local organisations working with refugees and migrants. It was a wonderful reminder of the strength and warmth of our community, and the collective commitment to creating a fairer, more welcoming society.

Guests heard speeches from departing Director Mel, Voices Chair Nick Scott-Flynn, and our new Director Alison Kelly. Mel’s speech struck a powerful chord, reflecting on the challenging social and political climate in which we work and why Voices’ mission – promoting justice, dignity, and inclusion for all – is more crucial than ever.

As well as being a moment to look back on our achievements over the past year and the past two decades, the evening was also about looking ahead. With Alison stepping into the role of Director, we are excited for the future and energised to continue growing and strengthening our support for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants at risk across Sussex.

Printed copies of our new Impact Report were available for guests to take away, showcasing the difference our work – and the support of our wider community – has made over the past year. It was a proud moment for everyone involved.

The evening was made even more special by delicious food provided by the Real Junk Food Project.

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this event. Here’s to the next chapter!

Building confidence and community: Jamila’s journey with Voices

28th February 2025NewsTagged ,

At Voices in Exile, we strive to provide a welcoming space where refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants can build skills, gain confidence, and feel settled in their new communities.  

One of the people we have recently supported is Jamila, a single mother from Afghanistan, who arrived in Brighton early last year with her fourteen-year-old son, Farid. Facing isolation, language barriers, and the challenges of adapting to life in a new country, Jamila was referred to Voices in Exile by her resettlement caseworker. Over the past year, she has accessed a range of activities and support services, helping her to settle, develop independence, and look towards the future. 

Jamila’s initial challenges were significant. She struggled with limited access to services and activities, financial constraints, and the emotional toll of past trauma. Depression and loneliness made it difficult for her to engage with others, and she worried about Farid’s education and integration into his new school. 

Through Voices in Exile’s group activities, Jamila was introduced to local events and services. She attended cultural events at the Jubilee Library, dance sessions at Dance Space, and informal conversation groups, helping her feel more engaged with her community. To support Farid’s wellbeing, he was encouraged to join the Global Social Club, where he was able to connect with peers and build friendships in a supportive environment.  

To improve her independence, Jamila attended IT skills training at Jubilee Library, learning how to navigate digital services and develop essential computer skills. Her English also improved through structured language-focused group sessions at Voices in Exile. These sessions included games, role-play, and practical exercises designed to build confidence and familiarity with everyday interactions. 

Beyond practical skills, Jamila engaged in wellbeing activities, including drama, Qi Gong, and art therapy. These sessions helped her manage stress, connect with other group members, and develop a sense of belonging. As her confidence grew, she began participating more actively in group discussions and social interactions. 

A year on, Jamila is an enthusiastic member of our group activities and is eager to continue learning. She hopes to further improve her English, gain new skills, and eventually return to work as a hairdresser so she can support herself and her son independently. 

At Voices in Exile, we believe that no one should have to face these challenges alone. Jamila’s journey is just one example of how access to the right support can empower people to rebuild their lives with confidence and dignity. 

Finding a new passion in supporting others: Rahmat’s story

27th February 2025NewsTagged , ,

Our volunteers play a vital role in supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants as they navigate life in the UK. From language lessons to practical advice, their dedication makes a real difference in helping people build new lives. In this blog, Rahmat, one of our incredible volunteers, shares his journey—from moving to the UK himself to now supporting others in their own resettlement. 

“I’m a retired Finance Director. I am married with two daughters and four grandchildren. I was born in Iran and came to England in 1970 to go to university before training as a Chartered Accountant. We lived and worked in and around London until 1997 when we moved to Brighton, where my wife is from—well, Hove, actually!

The first few years after retirement I was busy travelling, helping with the grandchildren and gardening, but I was increasingly aware of the serious problems migrants faced on arrival in the UK and thought that I might be able to help in some way.  

When I arrived in England, I spoke English and was well supported in many ways and yet I found it quite difficult to settle in a new country on my own, away from friends and family. I could only imagine how much harder it was for new migrants some of whom had arrived here under very difficult circumstances, had little or no English and had minimal resources available to them. That is when I offered to volunteer with ViE. 

I spent the first few weeks at ViE helping with the food bank before I was asked to help an Afghan couple who’d arrived here after many months of hardship via migrant camps in Pakistan. They’d had to leave Afghanistan after the Taliban arrived and the UK forces withdrew from the country. 

After all these years, I still remember some of my mother language, Farsi and the migrant couple spoke Dari, a dialect of Farsi, so it seemed that I might be able to help. My role was mainly to teach them English, act as liaison between them and the Voices in Exile case workers and as an informal translator when required. 

I use free ESOL resources available on the internet to prepare a weekly lesson plan, to help them with English vocabulary, speaking or grammar, but we also find time to discuss their day to day life here, address problems they might have with utilities, the banks, their landlord, etc. for their case worker to deal with, as well as their old lives and family they have left behind in Afghanistan.  

It’s now just over two years since I started working with them and I hope that they are a little better prepared to manage their lives independently.”

A photos of a man, Rahmat, wearing a t shirt, shorts and a cap smiling at the camera

Voices in Exile volunteer, Rahmat