01/01/2025
Happy New Year!
I hope that all those celebrating Christmas had a peaceful and relaxing break, and on behalf of everyone here at HMC, may I wish you all a very happy new year.
There is much to reflect on from 2024- and it’s been all change. Despite restrictive immigration measures and a summer of far-right violence that temporarily disrupted our operations, I’ve been inspired by the incredible solidarity shown by our community. From a counter-demonstration outside our doors to being chosen by the Speaker of Hackney Council, Sheila Suso-Runge as one of her ‘Spearker’s Charities’ for 2024-2025, the support has been truly heartwarming.
As the year went by, we continued to receive regular news of much loved small charities and local organisations closing their doors, as the cost of living crisis continued to bite with a sharp decline in funding for UK charities and funding organisations across the board. Before the summer was out, HMC had launched a Crowdfunder to secure our future. In September, we held our first HMC Supper Club in, attended by over 40 people, and enjoyed an uplifting night of solidarity and celebration with a delicious menu created by two of our long standing volunteers, Esther and Eni. Also in September, we enjoyed a “Night of Music & Poetry” at the Jago in Dalston to raise funds for our Crowdfunder, with performances from local poets, including a beautiful and moving performance by the very same culinary whizz, Esther. In October, we celebrated the incredible success of our Crowdfunder after the strength of support for HMC saw a jaw-dropping £108,000 raised. Thank you too to all of you, and there were many, who donated, and thank you to every person who handed out fliers, sold raffle tickets, put on an event for us or shared our link with friends and family. A special mention for Esther (a different Esther this time) and her partner and friends, who volunteered to cycle from London to Dover for HMC a few seconds after hearing about the Crowdfunder and pulled it off against the odds. And, last but not least, to HMC’s fantastic staff, particularly Laura and Megan, who worked tirelessly to pull off the most successful Crowdfunder we’ve ever seen.
In the two months since our Crowdfunder closed, we have been hard at work- looking to shore up HMC against the challenges we anticipate in the coming years, keeping up with a spurt of speed in Home Office decision making this Autumn and designing and implementing a 1-1 E-Visa support service, with the support of Welcome Hackney in Dalston CLR James Library. All this whilst continuing to support hundreds of visitors with vital immigration, housing and welfare advice and, in our community space, delivering holistic support and wellbeing activities. HMC launched a Winter Appeal in November and scheduled further exciting events in December and January, in order to raise funds to meet the immediate needs of migrants facing street homelessness and destitution over the winter period. With 2025 fast approaching, the changes brought in this December have been welcome; Bibby Stockholm was finally closed, the deadline for e-visas was postponed, the Government announced an extension to the move-on period for refugees (allowing 56 days to find housing instead of the previous abysmal 28 days) and confirmed that migrant children will be included in the Child Poverty Strategy.
I am immensely proud of what we have achieved at HMC this year, despite the challenges, and I am grateful to our dedicated and passionate community of supporters, including our excellent team of staff, volunteers and trustees, who give so much to make sure HMC keeps its doors open. HMC has felt the solidarity of our community this year and we in turn work to provide community and solidarity for asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants who continue to need it in what remains an isolating, hostile and punitive environment for so many. I look forward to 2025, to continue to grow our wonderful community and stand in solidarity with migrants, to together endure whatever next year has to throw at us.
Wishing you all a happy and peaceful new year, and thank you for your ongoing support.
Best wishes,
Becky
Chief Executive
