Welcome to the Friday News!
Together, we’re building safety, belonging and dignity for refugees and people seeking asylum across the South West, and last month alone you helped us to deliver:
77 therapy sessions with 22 clients - a 57% increase as we expand across Bristol, Somerset and Devon
8 trauma training courses to partner organisations across the region
73 supervision sessions supporting staff and volunteers across 22 organisations
“I hope that every refugee in the UK would be able to access this service.” - Client supported through asylum process
TFSW responds to an ever-shifting landscape
It has been a busy and at times turbulent start to the year. From responding to proposed earned settlement changes, joining thousands on the streets of London together against the far-right, to signing a joint statement on harmful media reporting, the TFSW team has been responding to an ever-shifting landscape.
When do boundaries help, hinder or become an obstacle? New thinking from Dr Katherine Cox on boundaries in refugee and asylum work. This training explores how we negotiate and define boundaries across roles and settings, and why they matter. You can find out more and book online.
Interpreters' health and wellbeing. We've been reflecting on this unique and challenging role, in light of a newly recommended read from our team and what our NHS-funded Devon programme has taught us about attitudes towards interpreters. You can read more here.
Soul to Sole
Did you know that Wales supports around 5% of people seeking asylum in the UK? Today, Katherine sets off from this nation of sanctuary on stage three of Soul to Sole!
Leaving Knighton on the Welsh border, she'll travel 182 miles up through the beautiful landscapes of Shropshire and the Peak District, before finishing in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire.
Katherine has already covered a whopping 400 miles through Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and South Wales. A third of the way through her 1,280-mile walk from Land's End to John O'Groats, raising funds for free, long-term trauma therapy- ensuring no one is left to struggle alone.
Get Involved
We have two exciting volunteering opportunities:
Represent TFSW at this year’s Celebrating Sanctuary day in Bristol
Want to be at the heart of the action this Refugee week? We are looking for volunteers to join us in Queen’s Square, Bristol on the 21st of June.
Help us imagine our 25th Anniversary Celebrations
We are seeking imaginative and energetic volunteers to help us plan and deliver our 25th anniversary programme in 2026. If you are interested in event planning, we would love to hear from you.
Thank you for being part of our community. In uncertain times, your support helps us keep showing up, with compassion, dignity and hope, for those who need it most.
With gratitude,
Katherine, Nicola and Ellie
A Post-Card from our Winter Gathering - what we’re learning, building and future plans!