Napier Friends

02/09/2026

It’s really satisfying to follow the journey of the secondhand bikes donated to us, from being serviced by our brilliant volunteer bike mechanic, to reaching a new happy owner!

Bikes are one of our most requested items, dispersal housing is often in remote areas and a bike can really make the difference in helping someone feel more connected to the community and attend English lessons or support sessions.

We always supply a lock and helmet and guidance on road safety.

21/08/2026

Games are just so great for connecting people aren’t they?!

Things are getting super competitive at our Thursdays Together sessions 👀

Current favs are: Ok Play, Blockus, Dobble and Jenga. These games are all very accessible and require little English, although in the case of Dobble, vocabulary may be extended to include some interesting and obscure words 😅🦓🌵⚓️🔒🎼🫟☯️

What do you think would be a fun new game for us to try next

07/08/2026

04/07/2026

Fleeing civil war and growing up in a refugee camp to then captaining a World Cup sqaud.

Germany and Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger, whose family fled Sierra Leone's civil war, is among those campaigning for a change in global attitudes around refugees.

22/06/2026

Refugee Week is now over for another year and our local community has been brought together by conferences, festivals, picnics, lunches, music and sport.

We contemplated the theme of courage, how it is sometimes huge and extraordinary but more often found in the everyday, in finding the strength to keep going, facing the unknown or in the small but crucial act of reaching out to offer a welcome.

Big thanks to all involved!

15/06/2026

Refugee week is here..

The theme this year is courage and we meet and work with people with buckets of it!

It also takes courage to stand up for minorities and to challenge lazy assumptions that are casually said to us as we go about our daily lives.

So thank you to all of our community for being an ally and for your continued solidarity.

05/06/2026

Come and join us on Friday 19th June at Docker Brewery for a feast of Ethiopian flavours in celebration of Refugee Week. Tickets are free to reserve and pay what you can on the day. We hope to see you there!! 🙏🙏🙏

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/refugee-week-ethiopian-pop-up-tickets-1990518809342

01/06/2026

We are on the hunt for a baby monitor for a refugee family that we are working with please.

24/04/2026

We're launching a new project and we're very excited. 🙌🏻

Please see link in bio to support with fundraising, 20 pledges is all thats needed! (£2 minimum).

Thanks always Napier Friends 🧡

22/04/2026

🌍 Launching “Cooking and Community” – Help Us Make It Happen! 🍲💛

We’re excited to share the launch of our new crowdfunder: Cooking and Community – a project dedicated to building a supportive, welcoming space for refugees, asylum seekers, and the wider community here in Ashford.

Our vision is simple but powerful: bringing people together through food, creativity, and shared experiences. Through twice-weekly sessions, we’ll create opportunities for individuals and families to connect, learn, and grow.

✨ What we’ll offer:

Cooking and sharing meals from around the world

Learning how to prepare affordable, budget-friendly meals in the UK

Creative activities like crafting and arts

Informal English learning and support with everyday life in the UK

A safe, friendly space to build confidence, resilience, and new friendships

This project is about more than just activities—it’s about belonging. It’s about improving wellbeing, reducing isolation, and creating a strong, connected community where everyone feels valued.

💬 But we can’t do it alone.

Your support will help us provide materials, food, and a safe space for these sessions to take place.

👉 Please consider donating and sharing our crowdfunder to help us bring this project to life. Every contribution, big or small, makes a real difference.

Together, we can build something meaningful—one meal, one conversation, one connection at a time. 💛

Building a supportive community for refugees and the wider community in Ashford. Connection, integration and increased wellbeing through cooking, crafting, learning English, and social activities.