Volunteering Experiences: Meet Georgia

Georgia has been volunteering at the Refugee Cafe for nearly two years, helping to create a space that's as much about warmth and connection as it is about practical support. Here's what she had to say.

1. What do you do as a volunteer at St John’s?
   I volunteer for the Refugee Cafe, which meets fortnightly. We provide clothing for women, men, babies and young children, household items, and basic food essentials. All are welcome, but most of our guests are women, many of them mothers. We have met newborn babies and watched them grow, which is, of course, bittersweet, understanding the parents’ frustration in wanting to restart their lives in safety and dignity. 

   We arrive early (some are better at this than me!) to sort out the donations that have come in, prepare the food parcels, set out tables and chairs, and make tea and coffee to nurture a social space, not just a practical one. We meet and greet everyone – I have been trying really hard to learn our guests’ names – and take requests for items they may need, as well as pass on information or offer advice if we can. 
   
   

2. Why do you enjoy volunteering?
   I like helping people and meeting those of a different background from mine. In a time when we are so divided, it is always good to be reminded of what we share and to look beyond our own lives. This also extends to the other volunteers: a welcoming and interesting group of people that I would not otherwise have met, as I follow no faith and am therefore not a churchgoer. I am inspired by the amount of time they lend to others and the amazing sense of community that St John’s fosters.
   
   

3. What keeps you coming back? What do you find rewarding?
   Getting to know our guests better, finding the commonalities, laughing together, even when language skills (both ways) are sometimes challenged. On school holidays, we see the kids growing up fast and hear updates on their studies, impressed by their quick assimilation into London life. 

   The cafe gives me perspective and reminds me of the importance of humanity and empathy. All our lives could be upended in a heartbeat, and you hope there would be someone at least to offer a smile, a word of comfort, or solidarity.
   
   

4. What’s one memorable moment or highlight from volunteering this past year?
   Just a couple of weeks ago, I could see that one of our regular guests, a young woman, was visibly upset. Despite a complete language barrier, we managed to communicate with a translation app. She told me her application had just been refused and asked how she could continue her English studies. I am a passionate advocate of language skills and think it is crucial that refugees – particularly women – learn English well, so they can become independent and informed, and of course benefit from friendships multi-culturally. I introduced her to some of the other women I have known since I started volunteering, almost 2 years ago. They gave her the information and resources she needed, and to see the huge smile of relief on her face was truly heartwarming.

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Feeling inspired?

There’s a place for you at St John’s.

Whether you want to roll up your sleeves, share a skill, or show up for someone, there's a place for you at St John's. As Georgia's story shows, you don't have to be a churchgoer to be part of something meaningful here. Just a willingness to connect, to listen, and to be part of a community that looks out for one another.

Drop us a line at office@sjun.org.uk. We'd love to meet you.