Shropshire Supports Refugees (SSR) is an organisation that provides a wide range of services, goods, support, and advice to the refugee community across Shropshire. Their mission is to ensure those seeking sanctuary in Shropshire feel supported and cared for, receiving comprehensive support to prevent exploitation and facilitate community integration.
Additionally, SSR plays an essential role in educating the local community about refugees and migrants, garnering community support and influencing national policies through their CEO’s talks on resettlement, aiming to change people’s perceptions regarding refugees and asylum seekers.
Currently, SSR supports over 1,300 refugees and asylum seekers from many different nationalities, from Ukrainians to Hongkongers, including Syrian and Afghan families. In 2023, they supported their service users with over 148 hours of therapy sessions, 600 hours of English lessons and over 100 advice and training sessions, additionally, they also ran over 100 activities and 100 advice and training sessions.
The Support hub
Located in the heart of Shrewsbury, SSR’s support hub is a welcoming space for refugees and asylum seekers. Currently, they are also assisting asylum seekers in three hotels. Many of the individuals SSR supports have endured trauma due to war or persecution, which continues to affect their mental and physical health.
Toiletries donations from The Hygiene Bank (THB) are vital in supporting the health, dignity, and wellbeing of the refugees. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has further strained the limited resources of these individuals, making it difficult for them to allocate disposable income towards essential items. The Hygiene Bank’s contributions help alleviate this burden, allowing refugees to focus on critical aspects of their lives, such as finding housing and paying bills.
Access to toiletries helps refugees maintain their dignity and self-esteem. Feeling clean and presentable brings a sense of normalcy and comfort in challenging and unfamiliar environments. Items such as moisturizers and hand creams, considered essential by many, are often luxury items for refugees who cannot afford them. For those from warmer climates, the UK’s colder weather can be harsh on their skin, and having these products can really make such a difference to their overall well-being.
SSR told us that the women they support are in desperate need of basic toiletries and cosmetics (including hair care products -hair dye and styling products, make up, skincare, and body washes and deodorants) as often these are not within their budgets. The items provided by The Hygiene Bank allow them to have the enjoyment of these products without having to worry about the financial impact they may have on them. Similarly, men highly appreciate items like aftershave, post-shave balms, skin care and face washes, which are usually really well received as these items are the ones that are forfeited when money becomes tight.
Inspiring Change
An SSR service user from Afghanistan shared her experience with us. As a former beautician, she found UK cosmetics much more expensive than in her home country. Receiving beauty and hygiene products from The Hygiene Bank has inspired her to consider starting her own beauty business in the UK. She plans to improve her English so she can set up her own business offering threading, eyebrow and eyelash tint and henna artwork.
