WTRRP is awarded grant for nappies and wipes from the Watford Mayor’s Small Grant Fund

Back in August 2019 we applied to the Watford Mayor’s Small Grant Fund for a grant to purchase nappies and wipes.  These are provided as part of our food bank but unlike the food , nappies and wipes… Read More

A Christmas message from our Chairman

As 2019 draws to a close, we reflect on what’s been a particularly busy year for the charity and give thanks to everyone who makes our work possible. Our client base has grown considerably – we now support… Read More

Summer activities for youngsters

The long summer months can be a struggle for some families who barely manage to feed their children during the school year and may not have any money spare to pay for day trips.  Dorothy and Mel worked… Read More

Dorothy Knightley – a sad loss

We are immensely sad to inform you of the death of Dorothy Knightley, Trustee and Secretary of WTRRP, in the early morning of Friday 26 July. Dorothy passed away in Watford General Hospital as a result of widespread… Read More

Building the WTRRP Grants team

When I first joined WTRRP in the summer of 2018, Marie-Jo and Dorothy told me that one of the biggest problems facing the charity is that we don’t have enough funding or any paid staff to help us… Read More

Garden party in Cheslyn Gardens

It’s 9am on Sunday 23 June and I have just arrived back in the UK, seriously jet lagged! Would I be up to spending the afternoon at the annual garden party? Was there a danger I would fall… Read More

‘The more you give the happier you feel’: Amira’s story

Amira* came to the UK with her husband and children for work four years ago. Since arriving here it has become unsafe for her and her family to return home. Below, Amira describes the challenges she faced in… Read More

A heartfelt thank you from Isla and Alamini

In our spring newsletter, we announced that thanks to our generous supporters, we exceeded our target of raising £6,198 to support Leave to Remain applications for clients Isla and Alamini and their three children. A total of £10,303… Read More

Cheering on Watford FC

On Saturday the 27th of April, twenty of our youngsters and six volunteers were thrilled to be given free tickets to watch Watford play Wolves at Vicarage Road. While the match and the outcome were a far cry… Read More

2019 AGM Roundup

by Nicola Santamaria, Women’s Group Coordinator The 2019 Annual General Meeting was, as always, both interesting and enjoyable.  The meeting began with the formal proceedings; all of the charity’s trustees and committee members were re-elected and two important… Read More

‘It has brought my dignity back’: John’s story

People seeking asylum in the UK are only able to apply for the right to work after they have been waiting for a decision on their asylum claim for over a year. Even then, the few people who… Read More

Urgent Appeal

This is an urgent appeal for help for Isla and Alamini and their three children. UPDATEWe have reached our target! But the work goes on. Please make a donation!We can now fund urgent applications for Leave to Remain… Read More

You are invited…

to our Annual Garden Party at Cheslyn Gardens  Sunday 23rd June 20192.30pm – 4.30pm Cheslyn GardensNascot Wood RdWD17 4SL Do come and enjoy a ‘get-together’ for clients, supporters and volunteers with refreshments & cream teas, and a beautiful… Read More

2018 Annual Report

Donations and Gift Aid

The Partnership relies entirely on donations from individuals and organisations such as local churches for its income. For donations from individuals, the Gift Aid scheme allows us to reclaim tax, which means your donations will be worth 25%… Read More

My first WTRRP family party

As a new volunteer, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I offered my help at the September party. It was a wet and dismal day, but as soon as I walked into the sports hall at Edge… Read More

Learning from Africa

Across UK and the rest of Europe, asylum policies are failing refugees and migrants. Now is a good time to look towards Africa, and Uganda in particular, for a different perspective. Uganda is currently accommodating 1.4 million refugees… Read More

Putting down roots – our new office at St Mary’s Cloister

WTRRP’s clients are growing in number (now more than 100 families) while the number of volunteers remains steady at 80. Operating remotely from volunteers’ homes and liaising with clients elsewhere has become increasingly challenging, so the need for… Read More

In conversation with Ajoba

Ajoba (not her real name) has been a client of WTRRP ever since she arrived in the Watford area in 2012. She originally comes from Ghana and she and her partner have four children, all boys. She rarely… Read More

A day in the life of a volunteer at the drop-in centre

Opening up We are lucky to have such a calm space available to us at St John’s Church on Sutton Road (our thanks always to Father David). The kettle goes on and the drop-in is officially open! Tuesday… Read More

An unforgettable time at Lee Valley Water Centre!

Since London hosted the Olympic and Paralympic games in 2012, Lee Valley Regional Authority has been making sure the Olympic legacy lives on and benefits communities in and around London through their Community Access Fund (CAF). This summer… Read More

We’re in the news!

The Watford Observer, September 2018 –  The invaluable work of a foodbank and a refugee group  

Misleading public statements!

Our political climate has allowed inaccurate statements to be broadcast with often partisan sources rushing to push their own agendas. Some statements have had a profound political impact, shaping campaigns and influencing votes.  Here are just a few… Read More

More food needed urgently – Can you help?

Food donations are down and the shelves at Watford Foodbank are looking bare. And now the summer holidays are upon us – often the hardest time for families as children are fed all their meals at home. We… Read More

Helping clients find their way through the legal maze

Our clients come to the ‘Drop-in centre’ at St John’s Church for many different reasons. Perhaps the biggest challenge they face is the process of making an application to the Home Office for ‘leave to remain’. The complexity… Read More

Another WTRRP garden party in perfect weather!

This year’s annual garden party at Cheslyn Gardens was memorable in so many ways. The weather was perfect for a day out and we made the most of it! Once again we had the support of those connected… Read More

Introducing our new Treasurer

At the March AGM, Paul Shaw formally became our new Treasurer and also a Trustee. Paul was a partner in the accountancy firm Myers Clark for many years, and even before retirement, held the position of voluntary Treasurer… Read More

The Grand Pudding Quiz

Almost 70 people took part in the Grand Pudding Quiz at Corpus Christi Church Hall, Tring on Saturday 16th June. The event was organised by the Justice & Peace Group, affiliated to Churches Together in Tring, with proceeds… Read More

A massive thank you

A massive thank you to Councillor Andrew Scarth, who raised £3000 for WTRRP during his year as Chairman of Three Rivers District Council (2016-2017). Each year, the Council Chair chooses local charities to support throughout their term, and … Read More

Navigating in the dark

Dave Smith, Founder of the Boaz Trust and speaker at our AGM shares his story: I first started working with asylum seekers in December 1999 while at Mustard Tree in Manchester – a charity I’d set up to… Read More