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“How can one person make a real difference?” This is the question Shropshire local Amanda Jones asked herself while watching the war in Syria unfold on her tele. Driven to do something, she rallied a bunch of her friends and began collecting goods to help those affected.
Now six years later, Amanda is the founder of Shropshire Supports Refugees, a fully holistic resettlement service empowering displaced families. We caught up with Amanda to discover how the will of one person has impacted hundreds of lives and what’s next for the charity.
Can you tell us how Shropshire Supports Refugees started and how the charity has grown?
In the summer of 2015, I was at home with my young two-year-old watching the TV in horror as I saw the events in Syria unfold. I felt that I needed to do something, so I gathered some friends together, bought a secondhand caravan, filled it with aid and drove down to Calais to help.
When I came back, I felt traumatised but determined not to give up finding ways to help. Luckily for me, the local authority contacted me and asked me if I would like to support the refugees coming into Shropshire by collecting goods for them and their children, and I did that with relish.
Thirty of my friends got together and started helping the families as they arrived. We focused heavily on making people feel welcome. We created welcome hampers full of Shropshire produce and goods and set about staying in touch with them to see what they needed. From there, our charity grew into a fully holistic resettlement service with 60 volunteers that have helped resettle 700 people in the past six years.
Who or what inspires you?
I’m inspired by people who want to change the world. I admire people like Angelina Jolie who use their position and fame to raise awareness and highlight the refugee crisis. People like Vandana Shiva who have spent four decades campaigning against globalisation and food production in the world. I support any person that wants to fight for justice, equality and freedom for the masses.
What is the endgame for Shropshire Supports Refugees?
The ultimate endgame for me would be to not have our charity exist at all. Our charity was born out of war and tragedy, and I would like to see an end to this.
In the meantime, I would like to continue helping refugees settle into the area. I intend to focus on empowering young people to see a new future that doesn’t involve war and destruction.
What is the fondest memory you have of your charity?
I have so many good memories, but every time I get to spend quality time with these brave and resilient people it fills my heart with joy.
One memorable moment was on Ukrainian Independence Day when the hub was full of people celebrating their culture and country, and when they started singing the national anthem, my heart exploded.
Other highlights have been watching the Syrian children running and playing on the hills in Shropshire when we’ve taken them out for a lovely picnic in the sunshine.
What three pieces of advice do you have for people wanting to start a charity?
- Always visualise your end result with a positive mindset. Expect the best from people and raise the flag for everyone around who wants to join in with your calls. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice.
- Be informed by your client base and be prepared to change everything at the drop of a hat!
- Lead from your heart and trust your gut.
Amanda and her team continue to help refugees settle into their new environment and rebuild their lives. If you’d like to find out more about their incredible work or how you can get involved, visit their website.
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