ICOS (International Community Organisation of Sunderland)

23/10/2026

Help ICOS Sunderland raise money to support ICOS

23/10/2026

What has been going on in our ICOS Community?

Since the last newsletter we have:

• Dealt with 50 queries, ranging from housing support (including support with council tax) and Universal Credit and PIP support and support surrounding employability (accessing employment, CV support and training).
• Our one to one activities have engaged with 3 new clients, from countries such as Afghanistan, Eritrea and Somalia.
• Organised a number of activities, improving social inclusion, wellbeing, intercultural understanding, and helping the environment in the local area. Including 4 environmental activities, including clean ups and maintenance activities, centered on Backhouse Park, Sunderland, and the wider Tunstall and Humbledon ward area.
• Provided 11 families with material support or external referrals to access free clothing and food, and external grants, as well as energy and food vouchers and free sim card.


We are grateful to our funders!

Community Foundation North East

The National Lottery Community Fund

Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales

Leeds Building Society Foundation

Garfield Weston Foundation

22/10/2026

Calling all Sunderland businesses 🌳

Looking for a meaningful way to give back to the community you serve?
Adopt a tree in Backhouse Park for £200 and leave a legacy that grows: 🌳
Choose one of five native species, a full year of care, with a free replacement if the tree doesn't survive its first year
A certificate with you business's name to share with your team and customers
A tree for your team, your customers or your company's anniversary in the heart of our city.

We are also happy to welcome you for staff volunteering days!

Want to talk about adopting as a business? Send us a message on [email protected] , or adopt directly here:

https://icos.org.uk/product/adopt-a-tree/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=adopt_a_tree_2026&utm_content=c10_business_legacy

21/10/2026

Our staff members Julia, Ghaydaa, together with Agnieszka (a former staff member and now a volunteer and a Project Steering Group member for ICOS Women) attended the IMPACTED and IMPACTFUL – FINDAWAY CONFERENCE 2026 last Friday.

A great opportunity for fighting domestic abuse and networking with likeminded people!

WWIN Specialist Domestic Abuse Services

Findaway

21/10/2026

Only 10 days until the Skydive! show us your support by donating through the link and sharing this campaign with your friends and family!

Help ICOS Sunderland raise money to support ICOS

21/10/2026

🌿 Join the Pieroginie Collective for an Evening of Creativity! 🎨✨

Looking for a welcoming space to relax, connect and get creative? Come along to our next Pieroginie Collective Creative Workshop!

🗓 Friday 6th of November 2026
🕠 5:30pm
📍 St Michael's Community Centre, SR2 9JT

Together we'll enjoy an evening focused on creativity, wellbeing and community, including:
🌸 Guided meditation
🎨 Creative activities
🌱 Building our community garden
🥗 Sharing a delicious community feast

The workshop will be led by the wonderful artist Sabina Sallis, creating a warm and inclusive space where everyone is welcome—whether you're joining us for the first time or have been part of the journey from the beginning.

This is a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, learn new skills, spend time in nature and be part of a growing community of women supporting one another.

💜 Free to attend. We can't wait to see you there! 💜

20/10/2026

🌿🌱 ST MICHAEL’S COMMUNITY GARDEN COLLECTIVE 🌱🌿

💚 Come and grow with us! 🙋‍♀️

Join us at St Michael’s Community Centre for a lovely gardening session where we will plant together, share ideas and make our community garden a beautiful place for everyone to enjoy. 🌻

Whether you love gardening or are just starting out, everyone is welcome! 👩‍🌾🌼

🌱 Let’s plant, learn and grow together!
💡 Share your ideas and help us create a garden full of life, colour and community spirit.

🚌 🚝 Travel expenses covered ❗️
We can reimburse the cost of your public transport ticket for attending our gardening session. Please keep your ticket and bring it with you to the session 🎟️🙋‍♀️

📆 Thursday - 22nd October
⏰ 9:30am - 12:30
📍 St Michael’s Community Centre
SR2 9JT

🌿 All families are welcome!

Come along, get involved and let’s make our community garden something special together. 💚

Please send email to:
[email protected]

20/10/2026

7,000 feet. Two brave volunteers. One cause.

Joasia and Marlena are taking on an incredible challenge with SkyHigh Skydiving Peterlee to raise funds for ICOS!

But this leap is about more than jumping out of a plane. It’s about helping people overcome challenges, access the support they need, feel welcome, and build stronger connections within our community.

Will you help us make their leap count?

Every donation, no matter how much, can help ICOS continue making a difference in people's lives.

Donate today and support our volunteers on their journey

Can't donate right now? Sharing this post can make a difference too!
Please spread the word and help us reach our fundraising goal.
A huge thank you to Joasia and Marlena for taking on this challenge for ICOS, and to everyone who supports us!

Help ICOS Sunderland raise money to support ICOS

19/10/2026

Some gifts last a moment. A tree keeps growing.

Who would you dedicate a tree to?
👶 A new baby or grandchild
💍 A wedding or anniversary
🎂 A birthday or special milestone
🎓 A graduation or achievement
🕊️ In the memory of someone you love and miss
🌿 Yourself – a promise to make a difference

Your e-certificate carries your name or the name of the person you're honouring.
Your big tree will be taken care of for a year by our experienced team and replaced if damaged.

Tell us in the comments who you'd plant a tree for 👇
Adopt a sapling for £15 or a big tree for £200.

18/10/2026

https://www.antislavery.org/forced-labour-quiz/

Can you identify which everyday items are linked to forced labour? The answers may surprise you.

Anti-Slavery International | Forced Labour Quiz