Hello there, 

Along with 60 other writers I will be reading at Komedia, Brighton on 11th December in a 10 hour poetry relay to raise funds for The Refugee Council and a local charity School Bus Project. 

I spent time volunteering in Calais in March of this year and have experienced just how much support is needed in every part of the process of ensuring those fleeing from horrific situations of every type are able to rebuild their lives.

 It's easy to think of 'refugees' as an amorphous group who need our sympathy. This could not be further from reality. These are 10s of thousands of individuals from the most diverse of places and situations, of every age, with all the different needs of any group of people. Organisations like Refugee Council, along with many others are involved in the vastly complex work of helping to advise, support and empower those set adrift by our global upheavals. 

Here is what the Brighton School Bus Project is about:

No matter who you are,
how old you are,
or where in the world you are,
we believe with all our hearts
that education isn't a privilege,
but a fundamental human right.
So if war, conflict or oppression
mean that home is no longer home
and people are forced to flee it,
risking everything,
desperate for safety,
consigned to a camp,
reliant on others,
we believe more than ever
that access to education mustn't be denied.
We uphold this right.
We fight for it.
We enable it.
Unconstrained by bricks and mortar,
unconcerned by age limits,
our classrooms are open to everyone.
More than just algebra and verbs,
this is relearning life in another language;
to pay for a loaf of bread,
to speak to a doctor about your child,
to make a new friend,
to write a CV,
to apply for asylum so that life can begin again.
This is education that helps you take back control
and regain a sense of self,
so that you can say to someone
in their own tongue,
so they'll understand that you mean it:
I WILL STAND ON MY OWN TWO FEET AGAIN.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you for anything you can give and come down on the 11th if you can, I will be reading at 20.41, 

Love Sophia xx