Creating a Culture of Welcome
We are a refugee and migrant-led charity supporting families and individuals from refugee backgrounds across Hastings, Rother and Wealden with our buddy programme, advocacy, financial and emotional support. We campaign, educate and run events for the whole community.
Creating a Culture of Welcome
We are a refugee and migrant-led charity supporting families and individuals from refugee backgrounds across Hastings, Rother and Wealden with our buddy programme, advocacy, financial and emotional support. We campaign, educate and run events for the whole community.
Creating a Culture of Welcome
We are a refugee and migrant-led charity supporting families and individuals from refugee backgrounds across Hastings, Rother and Wealden with our buddy programme, advocacy, financial and emotional support. We campaign, educate and run events for the whole community.
Refugee Week 16-22 June 2025!
Community is a superpower!
Come celebrate Refugee Week with us and our events partners all over the local area. Live music, DJs, food, drinks, pottery and carpentry tasters, among other things. See the full programme on the events page.
Our Mission
We support people seeking sanctuary through friendship, solidarity and action.
Education and Action
We campaign for our community and educate others in how best to support us.
Education and Action
We campaign for our community and educate others in how best to support us.
Education and Action
We campaign for our community and educate others in how best to support us.
Health and Well-being
We improve health, well-being and future outcomes for our community.
Health and Well-being
We improve health, well-being and future outcomes for our community.
Health and Well-being
We improve health, well-being and future outcomes for our community.
Understanding Across Communities
We bring people together to share stories, food and culture.
Understanding Across Communities
We bring people together to share stories, food and culture.
Understanding Across Communities
We bring people together to share stories, food and culture.
Inclusion and Belonging
We create welcoming spaces through buddying, the Dove Café and community events.
Inclusion and Belonging
We create welcoming spaces through buddying, the Dove Café and community events.
Inclusion and Belonging
We create welcoming spaces through buddying, the Dove Café and community events.
How could you help?
At the Refugee Buddy Project we believe that generosity, respect, solidarity and belonging can create meaningful change in our communities.
Donate
Your financial support is a lifeline for our projects and initiatives.
Donate
Your financial support is a lifeline for our projects and initiatives.
Donate
Your financial support is a lifeline for our projects and initiatives.
Buddy
Meet weekly with a new friend who's seeking sanctuary.
Buddy
Meet weekly with a new friend who's seeking sanctuary.
Buddy
Meet weekly with a new friend who's seeking sanctuary.
Collaborate
We work with businesses, the public sector and the creative community.
Collaborate
We work with businesses, the public sector and the creative community.
Collaborate
We work with businesses, the public sector and the creative community.
Join Us!
Join our local events and support our projects and campaigns.
Join Us!
Join our local events and support our projects and campaigns.
Join Us!
Join our local events and support our projects and campaigns.
Projects and Initiatives
Join us to create a culture of welcome in Hastings, St Leonards, Rother and Wealden.
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participants supported so far
“Imagine what it would be like to have someone local who is a friendly face in a sea of strangers and who is prepared to give up a small amount of time to help you practise basic conversation and to navigate those challenges that seem simple when you know how the systems work.”
“Being a Buddy is an absolute honour, knowing that you can help those who have experienced unimaginable trauma and gradually watch them, and their child develop in confidence and independence is an experience that cannot be underestimated.”
"Imagine finding yourself friendless, just you and your child in a strange city in a strange country where you don't speak the language and where you have no idea how to communicate with your child's teacher or your landlord or even where to buy the basics you need to survive.”
“Imagine what it would be like to have someone local who is a friendly face in a sea of strangers and who is prepared to give up a small amount of time to help you practise basic conversation and to navigate those challenges that seem simple when you know how the systems work.”
“Being a Buddy is an absolute honour, knowing that you can help those who have experienced unimaginable trauma and gradually watch them, and their child develop in confidence and independence is an experience that cannot be underestimated.”
"Imagine finding yourself friendless, just you and your child in a strange city in a strange country where you don't speak the language and where you have no idea how to communicate with your child's teacher or your landlord or even where to buy the basics you need to survive.”
“Imagine what it would be like to have someone local who is a friendly face in a sea of strangers and who is prepared to give up a small amount of time to help you practise basic conversation and to navigate those challenges that seem simple when you know how the systems work.”
“Being a Buddy is an absolute honour, knowing that you can help those who have experienced unimaginable trauma and gradually watch them, and their child develop in confidence and independence is an experience that cannot be underestimated.”
"Imagine finding yourself friendless, just you and your child in a strange city in a strange country where you don't speak the language and where you have no idea how to communicate with your child's teacher or your landlord or even where to buy the basics you need to survive.”
“Imagine what it would be like to have someone local who is a friendly face in a sea of strangers and who is prepared to give up a small amount of time to help you practise basic conversation and to navigate those challenges that seem simple when you know how the systems work.”
“Being a Buddy is an absolute honour, knowing that you can help those who have experienced unimaginable trauma and gradually watch them, and their child develop in confidence and independence is an experience that cannot be underestimated.”
"Imagine finding yourself friendless, just you and your child in a strange city in a strange country where you don't speak the language and where you have no idea how to communicate with your child's teacher or your landlord or even where to buy the basics you need to survive.”
“Imagine what it would be like to have someone local who is a friendly face in a sea of strangers and who is prepared to give up a small amount of time to help you practise basic conversation and to navigate those challenges that seem simple when you know how the systems work.”
“Being a Buddy is an absolute honour, knowing that you can help those who have experienced unimaginable trauma and gradually watch them, and their child develop in confidence and independence is an experience that cannot be underestimated.”
"Imagine finding yourself friendless, just you and your child in a strange city in a strange country where you don't speak the language and where you have no idea how to communicate with your child's teacher or your landlord or even where to buy the basics you need to survive.”
“Imagine what it would be like to have someone local who is a friendly face in a sea of strangers and who is prepared to give up a small amount of time to help you practise basic conversation and to navigate those challenges that seem simple when you know how the systems work.”
“Being a Buddy is an absolute honour, knowing that you can help those who have experienced unimaginable trauma and gradually watch them, and their child develop in confidence and independence is an experience that cannot be underestimated.”
"Imagine finding yourself friendless, just you and your child in a strange city in a strange country where you don't speak the language and where you have no idea how to communicate with your child's teacher or your landlord or even where to buy the basics you need to survive.”
“Imagine what it would be like to have someone local who is a friendly face in a sea of strangers and who is prepared to give up a small amount of time to help you practise basic conversation and to navigate those challenges that seem simple when you know how the systems work.”
“Being a Buddy is an absolute honour, knowing that you can help those who have experienced unimaginable trauma and gradually watch them, and their child develop in confidence and independence is an experience that cannot be underestimated.”
"Imagine finding yourself friendless, just you and your child in a strange city in a strange country where you don't speak the language and where you have no idea how to communicate with your child's teacher or your landlord or even where to buy the basics you need to survive.”
“Imagine what it would be like to have someone local who is a friendly face in a sea of strangers and who is prepared to give up a small amount of time to help you practise basic conversation and to navigate those challenges that seem simple when you know how the systems work.”
“Being a Buddy is an absolute honour, knowing that you can help those who have experienced unimaginable trauma and gradually watch them, and their child develop in confidence and independence is an experience that cannot be underestimated.”
"Imagine finding yourself friendless, just you and your child in a strange city in a strange country where you don't speak the language and where you have no idea how to communicate with your child's teacher or your landlord or even where to buy the basics you need to survive.”
“Imagine what it would be like to have someone local who is a friendly face in a sea of strangers and who is prepared to give up a small amount of time to help you practise basic conversation and to navigate those challenges that seem simple when you know how the systems work.”
“Being a Buddy is an absolute honour, knowing that you can help those who have experienced unimaginable trauma and gradually watch them, and their child develop in confidence and independence is an experience that cannot be underestimated.”
"Imagine finding yourself friendless, just you and your child in a strange city in a strange country where you don't speak the language and where you have no idea how to communicate with your child's teacher or your landlord or even where to buy the basics you need to survive.”
“Imagine what it would be like to have someone local who is a friendly face in a sea of strangers and who is prepared to give up a small amount of time to help you practise basic conversation and to navigate those challenges that seem simple when you know how the systems work.”
“Being a Buddy is an absolute honour, knowing that you can help those who have experienced unimaginable trauma and gradually watch them, and their child develop in confidence and independence is an experience that cannot be underestimated.”
"Imagine finding yourself friendless, just you and your child in a strange city in a strange country where you don't speak the language and where you have no idea how to communicate with your child's teacher or your landlord or even where to buy the basics you need to survive.”
“Imagine what it would be like to have someone local who is a friendly face in a sea of strangers and who is prepared to give up a small amount of time to help you practise basic conversation and to navigate those challenges that seem simple when you know how the systems work.”
“Being a Buddy is an absolute honour, knowing that you can help those who have experienced unimaginable trauma and gradually watch them, and their child develop in confidence and independence is an experience that cannot be underestimated.”
"Imagine finding yourself friendless, just you and your child in a strange city in a strange country where you don't speak the language and where you have no idea how to communicate with your child's teacher or your landlord or even where to buy the basics you need to survive.”
“Imagine what it would be like to have someone local who is a friendly face in a sea of strangers and who is prepared to give up a small amount of time to help you practise basic conversation and to navigate those challenges that seem simple when you know how the systems work.”
“Being a Buddy is an absolute honour, knowing that you can help those who have experienced unimaginable trauma and gradually watch them, and their child develop in confidence and independence is an experience that cannot be underestimated.”
"Imagine finding yourself friendless, just you and your child in a strange city in a strange country where you don't speak the language and where you have no idea how to communicate with your child's teacher or your landlord or even where to buy the basics you need to survive.”
Campaigns
Campaigns
Join our great events!
These events not only provide opportunities for fundraising but also serve as platforms to raise awareness and build culture.
Referrals and volunteering
If you would like to make a referral for a person or volunteer with the Refugee Buddy Project, do get in touch with us. Please give us as much detail – and contact details – as possible. We are a small team but will endevour to get back to you within 5 working days.