The Refugee Buddy Project: Hastings, Rother & Wealden

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The Refugee Buddy Project: Hastings, Rother & Wealden

Offering advice, advocacy and support, plus connecting people seeking refuge with volunteer buddies.

21/08/2026

We caught up with Khadija to hear more about her work and her involvement with Stitch for Change 🧵

Khadija has been part of the project since we started, taking part in workshops and creating work alongside our local community.

spoke to Khadija about her experience and what being part of Stitch for Change has meant to her.

We were so proud to feature Khadija’s work as part of our most recent .dlwp show.

A huge thank you to everyone who came along to support the project, and to , and for helping make it happen.

And… plans are already afoot for Stitch for Change 2027 👀 Watch this space.

18/08/2026

We took part in MASS@DLWP and showed a selection of Stitch For Change works made by our local community. We wanted to feature the work in of Kadija Ottei who has taken part in workshops since we started this project. Kadija talked about her work with people and was delighted to show Julia Hilton around the show. Thank you to everyone who came along to see the show and support our project. A big thank you to Erin Lewis 🌿♻️🧚‍♀️ and for curating. And another huge thank you to ZEROH for inviting us to take part.
Plans are a foot for Stitch for Change 2027. Watch this space.
📸📷📸 Andrrw Grainger

16/08/2026

played live last night to a new audience. Every time they play live, the experience is different and more and more joyous. It’s takes a special person to bring out the best of creativity in people and Ed Baxter does this and ever time they play live they do so to bring to your attention the work of The Refugee Buddy Project. Thank you to all involved!

13/08/2026

takes place this weekend and we are delighted to be taking part in 3 fantastic collaborations.
On Saturday evening will perform live FLATLAND FreeEntry with donations welcome.
An exhibition of the work by The Young Creatives Collective, a partnership with Peter Marlow Foundation and De La Warr Pavilion at Bexhill train station. On display on the Saturday 15th 10-5pm and Sunday 16th, 10-2pm.
On Sunday only, Stitch For Change is taking part in MASS@DLWP where we join some of the areas most talented artists in a huge show and take over of the De La Warr Pavillion by ZEROH
We will be hanging out in Bexhill this weekend. Come and join us.
Thank Erin Lewis 🌿♻️🧚‍♀️ for curating Stitch for Change at MASS featuring the work of Kadija Oreo.
Thank too to Shannon Ghannam from The Peter Marlow Foundation for our ongoing collaboration with The Young Creatives Collective.

07/08/2026

We have several collaborations happening over the weekend Art Weekender. Over the Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th. We are exhibiting selected Stitch for Change pieces featuring Kadija Ottei's work. Get yourselves to The De La Warr Pavilion as we are joined by some amazing local artists as Danandneil Zeroh take over for the weekend.
On Saturday 7.30pm of Liberty Big Band play live at Flatlands Projects. If you havent yet experienced this you are in for a treat. Its frew but donations welcome.

05/08/2026

Building safety, solidarity, and cross-cultural trust—together! 🕊️✨

We had a fantastic, action-packed meeting at the Dove Café with Deputy Leader Cllr Julia Hilton, Mayor Cllr Paula Warne, Cllr Solly Solamito, Cllr Becca Horn, Cllr Amanda Jobson, and Cllr Yunis Smith!

After Hastings Borough Council unanimously voted in March to formally recognise our work, we met to discuss supporting the Do No Harm council pledge and our ambitions to scale up our Safe Havens initiative across Hastings and St Leonards. We're excited that big things are on the horizon from this partnership.

Together, we’re making sure our local businesses, community spaces, and civic centres are places of genuine welcome, safety, and support for everyone. ✊🌐

Stay tuned for exciting updates as we gear up for our upcoming crowdfunder.

Want to help us grow the Safe Havens network? Link in bio to support become an early backer to local business, organisation or become involved as a local resident! 🔗

31/07/2026

It was an honour to welcome HRH Prince William to Hastings and to have the opportunity to share the story of The Refugee Buddy Project and the work we do to build communities of welcome across Hastings and St Leonards.

Our CEO, Rossana, was delighted to present His Royal Highness with a small Refugee Buddy Project goody bag, including our Volunteer Handbook, information about our Safe Havens initiative, our *Recipes of Courage* Food Festival map, our Community Conversations booklet, and Refugee Buddy Project T-shirts for both the Prince and the Princess of Wales.

It was a truly memorable day, and we're grateful for the opportunity to highlight the importance of welcoming and supporting people rebuilding their lives in our community.

Read more via the link in our bio 🔗

26/06/2026

This is what happens when Lara and Khadiga were matched through buddying 🤍

💬 "I have gained a huge cultural understanding of Sudan and through her words and stories have felt the hardship, grief and loss of her having to flee her home country. I have also got to know her family and really I couldn't think of a more enriching experience than to be a Buddy."

Over the past six months, Lara and Khadiga’s buddying relationship has grown through shared meals, laughter, strong black coffee, English learning, and sewing together at Stitch for Change, alongside a deeper cultural exchange that has shaped their friendship.

💬 "I honestly feel incredibly blessed to have my Buddy in my life. We have been buddies for 6 months now and I feel super happy to continue."

This is buddying in practice: real connection, mutual learning, and friendship that continues to grow.

Find out more about The Refugee Buddy Project and how to get involved via the link below 🔗
https://www.therefugeebuddyproject.org.uk/

24/06/2026

Dove Cafe is closed today, Wednesday and Thursday. Too hot 🥵
Open again on Friday and Saturday!

Address

39A High Street
Hastings
TN34 3ER

Website

https://www.therefugeebuddyproject.org.uk/

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