The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has highlighted an appeal by Positive Action in Housing to support the Winter Surgery.

Next week, 300 adults and 170 child dependents from refugee and asylum seeking communities - will visit Positive Action in Housing's two-day marathon winter surgery to receive crisis support.

This surgery is in aid of destitute refugee and asylum seeking families and lone individuals, and unaccompanied child refugees who have fled war and persecution, leaving behind loved ones and everything they know.

Positive Action in Housing will be providing crisis support to vulnerable men, women and children from Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria and many other refugee producing countries. You can read stories about some of the people we have helped in our annual impact report.


They will also provide emergency support, bus passes, food items, sleeping bags, hygiene packs, essential winter survival packs, also selection boxes, books and craft packs for children aged 3 to 16 years old.

Their hard working destitution caseworkers will be working to ensure that people get specialist advice, advocacy, signposting and practical support to resolve their legal, housing or financial crisis. We will also be working to provide safe shelter, with the essential needs of food, warmth, sanitation and cleanliness met through our community hosting programme Room for Refugees and Emergency Relief Fund. 

Issuing the appeal, they said: "To provide this appeal, we must raise a further £10,000 by Christmas Day. All funds will go towards directly assisting those in need. The gift aid from this appeal will go towards our Lifeline Service, which assisted 1,501 refugees and asylum seekers towards long term resolution of their housing and legal crisis.

"This appeal is supported by Scottish trade unions, Registered Social Landlords, trade unions, educational bodies, companies, faith groups, charitable trusts and members of the public.

"Please give generously and help make it a warm, welcoming Christmas for refugees in Glasgow.

"Please give generously at CAF, JustGiving or PayPal Giving, or post a cheque to Positive Action in Housing, 98 West George St Glasgow G2 1PJ."

(MH/JG)