Keys to the Door - Unlock Hope
Our CEO, Anna, introduces our 'Keys to the Door' fundraising campaign on what is our 21st Birthday.
It’s an absolute joy as CEO of Open Door North East to tell you that we are 21! Over the past two decades, we’ve been dedicated to supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and other vulnerable migrants, helping them find durable routes out of destitution and homelessness. As we reflect on our journey, we’re excited to introduce our special birthday campaign, ‘Keys to the Door, Unlock Hope’, aimed at raising funds for those facing the harsh realities of homelessness and destitution.
Since our formation in 2003, Open Door North East (ODNE) has reached many milestones that have strengthened our community. From our first home for female asylum seekers at risk of homelessness to North East RISE in 2022, which supported over 400 individuals and their families with housing, employment, and integration across the Tees Valley. Our journey has been filled with moments of joy, progress, and hope that refugees will be truly safe and welcomed in the UK. However, recent years have been challenging. The pandemic, global instability and wars, and an increasingly hostile political environment for refugees in the UK have caused many of our service users to struggle with poor mental health and profound fears for their future safety. We continue to hope and pray for the UK to provide the welcome and stability that is so needed.
Over the years, our services have included drop-in spaces, enterprise schemes such as Sew2Work, English classes, friendship, meals, days out, work clubs, lots of housing, and life-transforming support and casework, impacting thousands of lives. We are so grateful to Jubilee Church Teesside, who founded the work of ODNE by responding to the needs of those seeking asylum, bringing them the Good News of Jesus, and meeting their practical needs. From Jubilee, ODNE grew into a charity that continues to love and support people seeking sanctuary in the Tees Valley. Last year we supported more than 1000 individuals seeking safety in the UK.
Our service users, volunteers, and staff have countless stories that illustrate the profound impact of ODNE’s work. Take ‘N’ from Sudan, who arrived in the UK with nothing, not even a spare change of clothes. With our support, he has now found stable housing, learned English, gained genuine friendship, and is working full-time in a job that provides for him and his family. Or consider ‘J’, a volunteer whose life has been enriched by the friendships and experiences gained through working with ODNE. These stories are a testament to the power of community and compassion, literally hope unlocked.
The 'Keys to the Door, Unlock Hope' fundraising campaign is all about addressing the urgent problem of homelessness faced by the people we support. The campaign's name symbolises the empowerment and stability that comes with having a place to call home. Refugees may have been homeless for many months or even years as they fled their home country, survived the instability and fragility of asylum accommodation in the UK, and now face a scarcity of good-quality housing as new refugees. Data analysed by the Refugee Council found that 12,630 households in England faced homelessness after eviction from asylum accommodation in the two years to the end of September 2023. This represents a 239% increase over the last two years! These numbers are not just statistics; they represent individuals and families in desperate need of support.
Our hope is that together we can lift some of the burden placed on refugees and invite you to contribute to the ‘Keys to the Door, Unlock Hope’ campaign. Your donations can make a tangible difference. You can choose to make a one-time donation or set up a recurring contribution. For example, £40 can provide a person, who is not able to access other forms of financial support, in an ODNE home, the dignity of buying their weekly food, toiletries, clothing, and topping up their mobile phone.
We have a series of events lined up, including a celebratory Open Day in September, so watch this space! These events are fantastic opportunities to get involved, have fun, and make a difference. We encourage individuals and communities to participate and support our cause.
We invite you to join the ‘Keys to the Door, Unlock Hope’ campaign. Your support is crucial. Whether you make a donation, plan your own fundraising event - like Katy and Mary, who are walking the length of the River Tees (find out more here), or spread the word, every action counts. Visit our donation page here, and follow us on social media to stay updated.
We are so grateful to all our supporters and friends – past, present, and future. Your generosity and commitment have been the cornerstone of our support for refugees. Together, we have made a difference, and together, we will continue to build a safer, kinder, more welcoming community for those who have lost so much.
With your support, we can unlock hope and ensure that everyone seeking sanctuary finds a place to call home.
Thank you for being a part of our journey and for your support,
Anna