Friends Of The Drop In - Sunderland

Friends of the Drop-In for Asylum Seekers and Refugees (FODI) is a registered charity in Sunderland, run by volunteers.

What is Friends of the Drop-In [FODI] ?
FODI is a registered charity which aims to support asylum seekers and refugees who are living in Sunderland and the surrounding area. We have no paid officers – all members of the organisation are volunteers.
The objects of the Charity are:
(1) To preserve and protect the physical and mental health of those seeking asylum /granted refugee status and their dependants, through providing a drop-in and associated activities.
(2) The provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life of those asylum seekers and refugees who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances
(3) The promotion of social inclusion for the public benefit among people who are refugees and asylum seekers who are socially excluded on the grounds of their social and economic position, by providing social and recreational facilities and events involving the local community.

What does Friends of the Drop-In [FODI] do?
We run a weekly ‘drop-in’ at St Mary’s Church Hall in Bridge Street Sunderland where we provide tea, coffee, light refreshments and snacks, as well as general support and access to leisure activities. We also distribute donated items – clothes, childrens toys etc.
We run English classes for beginners and more advanced learners.
We provide opportunities for individuals to take part in sporting activities linking with organisations such as ICOS (International Community of Sunderland) and YAV (Young Asian Voices).
We organise outings and visits to places of interest in the local area.
We participate in awareness raising activities; we have contributed to Refugee Week, Black History Month, City of Sanctuary, Sunderland College Equality and Diversity Week and Holocaust Memorial Day events. We also give presentations where invited and have been to colleges, schools and Age UK.
We plan to offer a more wide-ranging series of activities in the medium future including a knitting group, cycling group, African drumming group, cooking workshop, video project and all-nations singing group.
We attend local meetings at VCAS and other relevant agencies to represent the views of FODI and its members.
Where we are
We have an office at Bridge House which we use for meetings, training and other activities.
Weekly drop-in is every Wednesday at St Mary's Church Hall on Bridge Street.