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Four wings Global Project CIC
London, Greater London, United Kingdom
Aim
To support refugees and asylum seekers who live in London and struggle with social isolation and loneliness
Who we are
Four Wings Global Project CIC is a cultural and community centre which supports refugees and asylum seekers with integration into host communities.
I am a political activist and work with refugee communities. I have two experiences working in Sudan and Egypt. As a journalist travelling to refugee camps in these countries, we prepared a space for them in these camps to support their mental health and wellbeing.
Due to our work, both myself and my family were targeted by government and security services. We managed to escape and seek refuge in the UK and we wish to help others to start new, fresh and fulfilling lives away from the pain and persecution that we have experienced and so many others.
What we are trying to do
Opening a World Food Cafe to the public
We’ll operate on a daily basis and once a month serve food from a specific global region of a community member, and celebrate that community through a cultural event.
(An example of a cultural cafe in Lebanon)
Through a mixture of voluntary work and employment where appropriate we can offer vulnerable people the chance to find the confidence, training and experience they need to develop their skills and improve the opportunities available to them.
Our first site will be in Lambeth, South London. The ambition is to open these cafes and cultural spaces all across London to unite the public and better integrate our communities.
(Example of a refugee food festival at a school in France)
Why this is so important
- When the refugees and asylum seekers arrive in these host countries, people can be afraid of them. They don’t know anything about them or understand them
- This can lead to cultural misunderstanding and the social isolation of vulnerable people
- This project allows us to share cultural information about all the new refugees and asylum seekers who are now living amongst them
- By trying to help local communities understand the culture and backgrounds of those arriving in the UK, we can better integrate them and ultimately improve their transition into life in the UK.
- Knowledge and skills will empower those arriving here to create positive and fulfilling lives for themselves, which in turn will maximise the contribution they can make to society here.
How will we make this happen?
When we have a coffee shop and cultural space we can generate multiple sources of income from:
- Live music and events
- Cultural exhibitions
- Food & Drinks
- Storytelling activities and workshops
- Therapy services and health advice
Something to remember
Refugees need our care and support, they are often like in the case of my home country of Sudan, fleeing for their lives to escape war. People arrive in the UK and other host countries greatly traumatised by their experience which makes it even harder for them to integrate and find peace and stability in their new home.
This project successfully funded on 28th July 2023