Student Action for Refugees - STAR’s Christmas Magic: A Time for Giving

22 December 2023

It’s been a hectic few months for STAR as we’ve welcomed 32 student groups to our network. They have all been busy volunteering, educating, and campaigning for a more welcoming society for refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. This work is crucial, now more than ever, because refugee policies and government rhetoric are becoming increasingly hostile and less compassionate.

Our fantastic STAR groups have also been busy launching their volunteering projects to give people seeking sanctuary a warm welcome in their local communities and organising loads of events to ensure their fellow students understand why the right to refugee protection is so vital, the current treatment of people in the UK, and what needs to change.

So far this year, we’ve been actively opposing the cruel Rwanda scheme and prison-like accommodation like the Bibby Stockholm barge, battling against the UK’s anti-refugee laws, and advocating for improved access to higher education. Fortunately, despite the hostility and division promoted by some politicians and the press, every day, we witness tens of thousands of ordinary people across the country, like our amazing student activists, stepping up to stand in solidarity with individuals seeking sanctuary in our communities.

With Christmas just around the corner, look at what they’ve already done to spread festive cheer, positivity, and kindness this holiday season. Here are just a few of the great things STAR members have been up to!

Warwick STAR: Wrapping presents and writing Xmas cards

Warwick STAR got together to share some festive generosity with those at their volunteering project. They said, “This Winter, we collected gifts to give to refugees and asylum seekers at our Conversation Clubs. We couldn’t believe how generous students were, providing many presents for us to wrap at our Christmas social. This is the second year we’ve run a gift collection for refugees, and so we hope Warwick STAR can keep this fun and festive tradition going for years to come!”

WARWICK Christmas Gift Collection Conversation Club 2

WARWICK Christmas Gift Collection Conversation Club 5

Copy of WARWICK Christmas Gift Collection Conversation Club 11

WARWICK Christmas Gift Collection Conversation Club 7

Gloucestershire STAR: STAR Gift Tree

Gloucestershire STAR students made their fundraising to help local charities support people through the winter extra festive this year: “For our winter fundraiser this year, we’re asking people to give a little extra warmth to displaced people with our STAR Gift Tree! We’ve decorated Christmas trees around our campuses with gift tags that indicate how donations will contribute to essentials during the chilly months.

We’ve been asking friends, family and colleagues to give what they can and have currently raised £265. We’re on our way to our target of £750, but we would love to spread the word and encourage others to think about giving an extra gift this winter. The link to our JustGiving page can be found in our bio if you’d like to help out.

All funds raised will be split between Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees (CWR) (our local partner) and Refugee Community Kitchen’s Winter Appeal. CWR does amazing work with people seeking asylum in the local community, and RCK is working tirelessly in Calais and Dunkirk to provide warm meals with dignity.”

Christmas Crafting

The festive season is also a chance to get creative!

Edinburgh STAR ended the year with some festive candle painting, while Cambridge STAR held a ‘STARry Night’s evening of music and crafts, raising £70 for STAR National!

Goldsmiths STAR held a Christmas gifts sale, sharing some creations from creatives from refugee and asylum-seeker backgrounds that are part of their partner organisation, Plateful Cafe!

Plymouth STAR also got creative this term, holding a Tote Bag Painting Fundraiser in their SU, which looked like a busy success!

PLYMOUTH Tote Bag Painting Art Craft Fundraiser

Fundraising Secretary of Plymouth, Ayzaa, baked 48 cupcakes for their Bake Sale too- how great do they look?

That wraps up another term of fantastic work from our amazing STAR groups!

We love supporting our groups with all they do to make the UK a more welcoming place for refugees. As the festive season is a time for giving, then please support us so we can continue to do this!

Have a lovely festive season everyone, and a Happy New Year!