Always on
This project successfully funded on 20th November 2025, you can still support them with a donation.
Community minibus for people seeking sanctuary
Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
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Aim
Help Us Buy a Minibus – enabling asylum-seeking families to get active in 2026 & participate in Exeter International Café and other events!
Since 2023, Outreach Southwest and the Exeter International Café have welcomed over 1,000 residents from 30+ countries with warmth, connection, and hope.
Families and single women staying in a local hotel (7 miles from Exeter) have joined us for walks, crafts, games, and cultural exchanges – but poor transport connections leaves many isolated and struggling, especially in winter.
The hotel’s remote location—adjacent to a motorway and lacking safe walking routes, has led to prolonged periods of inactivity, isolation, and low morale among residents. Additionally, residents have complained that the food sourced by central government can be lacking in nutrition and unhealthy. Recent protests at the hotel have also meant that some residents feel less secure taking public transport.
A second-hand minibus would be a lifeline, giving residents greater access to community events and activities, and to participate in sports and recreation, while benefiting from much-needed outdoor fresh air, away from the hotel.
There are some amazing community organisations in the Exeter area offering excellent, free opportunities for physical activity, social engagement, and cultural enrichment. To give just a few examples:
- Inclusive Exeter runs badminton, martial arts, and sports competitions
- EX5 Alive offers children’s activities and play areas
- Active Devon facilitates yoga classes, hikes, and bike groups.
- Killerton House is keen to involve residents in ecological and nature-based projects outdoors.
- Dartmoor National Park offers free hiking trips.
- A local climbing centre provides free climbing sessions for asylum seekers.
With 50 dedicated volunteers and strong partnerships (including Refugee Support Devon), we’ve seen how shared meals, crafts, sports and conversations foster belonging and wellbeing.
Your gift will:
- Help purchase a reliable second-hand minibus in 2025.
- Ensure the café continues into 2026 and is able to extend it's outreach, providing more support for residents and internationals in and around Exeter.
- Offer asylum seekers hope, friendship, and the opportunity to get active, supporting their physical wellbeing and mental health.
(Recently arrived asylum seekers enjoying a walk along the Exeter riverside, summer 2025.)
Our target is £22,000, which we are hoping to raise through a series of small grants, gifts from local churches and generous individuals. Can you help? Any extra gifts will go to support the international cafe outreach throughout Exeter and the southwest in 2026.
💙 Every donation counts – big or small.
🌍 Together we can build a season of generosity, kindness, and transformed lives.
One bus, countless journeys—can you help us make it happen?
Thank you!
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Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made