Asha Post-Covid-19 September 2020

It is self-evident that Asha services will be curtailed for the foreseeable future. There has already been a mini lockdown in Stoke and there is every likelihood that there will be more. Meanwhile Asha is taking a cautious approach to opening a limited service.

This is our new reality. Our staff, who have necessarily had their own personal pre-occupations during the recent months, grieve the loss of the Asha ‘community’ which had become a beacon of good fellowship to many men, women and families seeking asylum.

Asha continues to offer:

Remote Support which has been a lifeline for families known to us.  A priority is finding those who are newly arrived or who have not made themselves known to us or us to them.

The Monday food delivery service continues, and we would be glad for more families to join the list.

Food Collection The number collecting food on Thursdays has risen but has not reached the pre-lockdown figure. 

Individual Support Various families and individuals has found their way to Asha and referrals have been received from local authorities and refugee charities.

REOPENING

Asha plans a step by step approach and shortly we hope to let you know what this means in practice.

The Literacy Trust/Stoke Reads have donated a large selection of books with additions from B-Arts and Hanley Library.  Ryn organised four volunteers delivered to ___families.  

Story Quest Ryn, Jackie and Gill have received training from the Literacy Trust to deliver Story Quest, a free initiative funded by Sport England. A Story Quest is an exciting story trail that guides families around local outdoor spaces while they complete physical and written challenges, meet local celebrities, discover fascinating facts and travel through time to uncover local history. Jackie and Gill have made a start with several families. 

 Face Masks Asha is grateful to a Rode Heath Sewing Group who set up a Facebook page requesting the ladies to make a thousand face masks for our users. They achieved a grant total of 906 and they will make more if we need them.

Remembering Dabashish On 6 September last year, Godfrey received the harsh news from Dabashish’s brother that he had been killed. On our and your behalf, Godfrey will tell his family that we are holding him in our hearts and that many people in Stoke who will not forget him.

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