We’re all fae somewhere: Merchants House announces £5,000 grant for Refuweegee

Refuweegee is a community-led charity that gives people a way to welcome and embrace those newest to arrive. They strive to ensure that people who have been forced to flee their homes arrive in Scotland to a warm welcome and some of the things that will help them to feel more at home here.

Selina Hales, Chief Executive, said “People make connections over food – whether that is our volunteer drivers chatting with people at their door as they deliver food parcels, or people coming together to eat lunch from our community kitchen, food brings us together and gives us a chance to speak to people and build relationships.  Thank you so much for your support – this will reach so many people, nourishing stomachs and souls.”

Preparing a meal in the kitchen

Fresh food packages ready to be delivered

Selina set up Refuweegee to provide a warm welcome to forcibly displaced people arriving in Glasgow. Since 2015, the charity has provided over 10,000 community-built, personal welcome packs and emergency support packs to people all over Glasgow and across Scotland.

Responding to news of the funding, Selena told us more about her day: “We had 37 people in for lunch today; coconut and butternut squash soup made by Awa, one of our volunteers.  Awa prepared a huge vat of soup and it all disappeared in a flurry as lots of people arrived for lunch.  The need for warm, home-made food and the chance to sit together, and commune with others is constant.  Thank you so much for understanding the value of our community kitchen, and for good distribution. Today we also received an emergency request for food from a mum with three children.  One of volunteers is packing a rucksack and will deliver it to the family tonight. Being able to feed people is the first step to giving them some dignity.  Thank you so much for supporting this aspect of our work.”

Find out more about our grants on our website. If you would like to support us in making a difference to the lives of people across Glasgow and the West of Scotland, why not consider becoming a member?