Together We Grow

22/02/2024

We bought 31 tickets to see the film Migration at the REEL cinema in Rochdale.
Every child and adult got a bag with a juice, snack and fruit and on departure ever family got a bag of Palestinian dates kindly donated to us by Jenny Lynne.
Everyone seemed to like the film and it was great to see old and new friends.

16/02/2024

We had another lovely day with our local artist Lizzie Lockhart doing an arts and craft workshop at Todmorden College. We first decorated the egg shell and the egg holder. Then we put cotton wool in empty egg shells, then water and crest seeds. After 6 days it should be ready to eat on salads, etc.
We then did some amazing designs with rope, elastic bands, etc - see pictures. If you wonder which country the flags are from they are Kurdish flags.
While doing the art work we had juices, tea and coffee.
Then a walk to the Kindness Cafe where we were all treated to any of their amazing drinks, a pasta bake with garlic bread, green salad and potato salad plus a pudding with cake and ice cream. We had some leftovers to take home.
The Kindness Cafe is normally not open on a Wednesday but they opened just for us (and not the public). Despite us insisting of paying for the food and drinks the Kindness cafe refused to take a penny.
After lunch everyone could do what they wanted: visit the park, see town, walk along the canal or go home by train. As it was raining some decided to visit the library across the road.

12/02/2024

About 80 people came to the the 'The cost of living crises and the climate crises - same solutions?' on Saturday 10th February at Todmorden College.
A young refugee from Iran, Matin, played the piano, Barbara Jones welcomed everyone and told the history of the college, Lowis Charfe from the food bank told about their work and collected £142.70 for the food bank.
We heard Nigel and Roisin speaking before some groupwork followed by tea, coffee and Sri Lankan snacks.
After the break Alan spoke and answered questions.
Thanks to the 13 stalls that came, to Catherine for co-chairing the meeting, to Matin and Theja for the music and the snacks, to all the speakers and to Todmorden College for letting us use their hall.

05/02/2024

At this free event on Saturday there will be 12 stalls, piano playing by a young refugee, snacks for the tea and coffee provided by a refugee from Sri Lanka, a welcome from Barbara Jones, the chair of Todmorden Learning Centre, and a short talk by Lowis Charfe from the food bank.

28/01/2024

Many thanks to Todmorden Orchestra for giving us 15 tickets for the children's concert in Todmorden town hall.
Prior to the concert we took our 15 people to the board room cafe for drinks and food.

28/01/2024

A wonderful yoga collaboration
Three members of Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary - Adele’s Yoga, St. Augustine’s Centre and Together We Grow - have joined forces to pilot a weekly yoga class for people seeking sanctuary in Halifax. The class is held at Calderdale College, delivered by Adele with participants from St. Augustine’s Centre and funded by Together We Grow.
The class has been a huge success so far, with over 20 adults attending and some toddlers too! Participants said: "I felt more calm and still", "My body feels strong", "Relaxing and uplifting".
This is exactly what Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary is about - creating opportunities for our members and supporters to collaborate with each other for the benefit of people seeking sanctuary in Calderdale. Thank you, Adele's Yoga, St. Augustine's Centre, Calderdale College and Together We Grow!

21/11/2023

Dear friends,
In case you want to nominate Together We Grow, our charity that supports refugees and asylum seekers in Calderdale and Rochdale.
It only takes one or two minutes to nominate us and the more nominations we receive the greater chance we have for getting £1000.
Thanks for your help.
Finn
Treasurer of Together We Grow.


We're giving away £120,000 in December

12 Days of Giving is our festive final phase of Movement for Good 2023. In December, we’ll be giving 120 charities £1,000 each over 12 days.

The first draw takes place on December 1st and the last on December 18th with 10 charities drawn every week day. Nominations are open until 23:59 on December 17th 2023.

If you’ve already nominated your favourite charity this year, then you’re already in the draw. If you haven’t nominated yet, getting a cause close to your heart in the running is just a few clicks away.

It’s one nomination per charity per person, so if you have more than one favourite cause, why not try putting them on our map with a nomination?

Nominate a charity for £1,000: https://click.benefactgroup.com/click/ggno-40iin-iv8ws-l2mrr8/
Terms and conditions apply.

Nominate a charity for a 12 Days of Giving, Movement for Good award now.

21/11/2023

Support for Survivors of Torture Activity Fund
STAF
Hosting a quiz with food, African themed stew
- raffle prizes
- bring a team or join in a team
Tomorrow night 22nd November,
8-10pm at the Trades club, Hebden bridge
Come and join in the fun and raise funds for this vital activity

Giving practical support to refugees from torture, as they try to be included in daily [healthy ]activity; including trainers, winter coats, temporary gym membership

19/11/2023

We had a lovely day at Todmorden, starting at the college with an arts and craft workshop with our local artist Lizzie Lockhart. Some amazing things were produced and apologies that not all the creations had pictures taken.
Then after two hours we had lunch prepared by Calder Cares (pies, vegetables, gravy, baked beans and mashed potatoes. BEAT provided cakes for everyone. There was so much food that everyone could take food home.
Fresh fruits, juices, tooth brushes, tooth paste and sanatory products were also given to everyone.
After lunch everyone was given the option of going to the Christmas faire at the Hippodrome theatre, the play area in the park, walk around the town or nature (some of them had never been to Todmorden before).
Many thanks to Marian, Beryl and Laura for being volunteers on the day, to Lizzie Lockhart for the workshop, to Calder Cares for the popular lunch and to Todmorden College for hosting us.

23/08/2023

Yesterday, we took another 50 refugees and asylum seekers on a day trip to Fleetwood by coach. We had the same driver, Kev from Tetley's, as last week and he did a brilliant job.
First we went to Fleetwood Museum and the volunteers there all explained the history of the local fishing town. They really made us feel welcome.
Then off to YMCA where we had our own room for lunch and to store our bags. Some went to the beach and the play area next to the promenade.
At 2pm we could use the indoor swimming pool and the outdoor paddling pool called Splash.
From 3pm we offered ice creams or hot drinks to everyone before leaving at 4pm.
Everyone thanked for a lovely day out and we thanked the museum, YMCA and the cafe. Also thanks to Sandy, Steve and Natalie for helping out on the day. Good to meet new and old families.

15/08/2023

50 refugees and asylum seekers went to Fleetwood on Monday 14th August by a coach.
Despite the rain we all had a great day out. We first went to Fleetwood Museum where local volunteers could guide us around the museum in groups and tell us about the local fishing industry. It is a museum that is worth visiting.
Then we went to the WMCA complex down the road from the museum where we had a room to eat our lunch.
From 2pm to 3:30pm those who wanted to use the indoor swimming pool could do so free of change.
Some also played football on the beach while it was raining while some went for a walk along the promenade.
We finished off with hot drinks and ice creams in the cafe, talking to some of the local residents.
Many thanks to Kev from Tetley's Coaches for driving us there and back. And thanks to Steve, Sandy, Marian and Laura for helping out on the day.

02/08/2023

We are doing two coach trips to Fleetwood, on 14.8 and on 22.8. Fully booked but waiting lists if there are any cancellations. The 22.8. coach got full within 24 hours. Let us just hope the sun shines in Fleetwood on both occasions.
In Fleetwood there is an indoor swimming pool, a paddling pool. a large play area and a cafe apart from the sea but there is also a museum, a promenade for a walk, large cafes nearby. We have chosen those two dates as the tide will be in. If the tide is out there is a long walk to the sea :)

06/07/2023

Our walking group had a lovely walk to Brierley and back to Hebden Bridge, where we had lunch at Leila's Kitchen. The hardworking staff made sure we all got what we wanted and everyone said they liked the food. So thank you to Leila's Kitchen.

Before taking the train back every family got several tomato plants to take home.

Due to the teachers' strike on Wednesday we were 16 people on the walk but not everyone wanted their picture taken.

26/06/2023

The paper birds produced at the Sand in the Eye event organised by St Augustines Centre during Refugee Week got displayed at Artwork. Lauren on the left of the picture is the manager of Artwork and Laura is the chair of Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary.

26/06/2023

The golden boy has done it again! On a regional Yorkshire & Humber competition in York he won gold again! Congratulations

22/06/2023

Thanks to St Augustine's Centre for letting us have a stall at their open day on 20.6. as part of Refugee Week. Great to see so many people there.

22/06/2023

Thank you to Leila's Kitchen for being part of Refugee Week. The pictures are from 21st June.

16/06/2023