WHITLEY BAY ROTARY CLUB GOES ‘WALKING WITH’ IN WALLSEND
The Whitley Bay Rotary Club has recently been ‘Walking With’ in North Tyneside - a relief centre for supporting refugees and asylum seekers. The centre has now been running for over twenty years and has been a registered charity since 2014.
Recently, President Rod Clark and rotary members were invited to look round the new premises at Church House on Hugh Street, Wallsend. Whilst there it became apparent the centre was in need of one or two extra items to complete the new move.
So the club was delighted to be able to present to the centre a new fridge freezer, yoga mats and a number of ear phone for IT and English audio lessons.
Joan Hoult, Chief Executive Officer, explained what the centre provided; ’Walking With provides relief and support for refugees, asylum seekers and for those without national status or others experiencing hardship or distress’.
She added that their aim; ’Is to help those in need to stand on their own two feet, to feel less isolated, more self-confident and better able to settle and adjust to life in Britain. In providing this environment, it is hoped that the clientele are more likely to integrate with their neighbours and contribute to the society in which they now live and work.’
President Rod commented; ’I am amazed at the number of people that are annually going through the centre - over 180 refugees and asylum seekers and in addition to this, they are providing over 3,000 hot meals and delivering over 2,200 food parcels. That is an amazing support network working in our community’.
Finally Joan Hoult CEO, summed up what the Centre's Core work is:
To help and support clients with their asylum paper work.
Directing their clients to legal and professional advice.
To provide food parcels, clothing, household goods and toys for the children.
Establishing financial support.
Having a weekly drop-in service and providing communal lunches on a regular basis.
Weekly classes with English language tuition and IT programmes.
Yoga, fitness and well being programmes held on a weekly basis, promoting a healthy lifestyle.
The Rotary Club is now considering what additional needs it could further support, ‘Walking With’ to enable them to welcome more refugees and asylum seekers into our community.
If you would like to know more about our Rotary Club please do not hesitate to contact us through or website or telephone – 07419 736989.
Picture 1 (L-R) Roger Windass (Rotary Club Secretary), Jean Hoult (CEO Walking With) Client, David Wilkinson (Rotary), W/Bay President Rod Clark,
Seated – Liz Hayes (Senior Vice-President, W/Bay Rotary)
Picture 2 (L-R) – Standing; Jean Hoult (CEO Walking With), Lee Hoult (Volunteer), President Rod Clark (W/Bay Rotary), David Wilkinson (W/Bay Rotary), Roger Windass (Secretary W/Bay Rotary), Liz Hazes (Senior Vice-President W/Bay Rotary), Clare Campbell (Volunteer Co-Ordinator), David Brodie (Volunteer English Teacher).
Seated - clients of Walking With.
The Whitley Bay Rotary Club has recently been ‘Walking With’ in North Tyneside - a relief centre for supporting refugees and asylum seekers. The centre has now been running for over twenty years and has been a registered charity since 2014.
Recently, President Rod Clark and rotary members were invited to look round the new premises at Church House on Hugh Street, Wallsend. Whilst there it became apparent the centre was in need of one or two extra items to complete the new move.
So the club was delighted to be able to present to the centre a new fridge freezer, yoga mats and a number of ear phone for IT and English audio lessons.
Joan Hoult, Chief Executive Officer, explained what the centre provided; ’Walking With provides relief and support for refugees, asylum seekers and for those without national status or others experiencing hardship or distress’.
She added that their aim; ’Is to help those in need to stand on their own two feet, to feel less isolated, more self-confident and better able to settle and adjust to life in Britain. In providing this environment, it is hoped that the clientele are more likely to integrate with their neighbours and contribute to the society in which they now live and work.’
President Rod commented; ’I am amazed at the number of people that are annually going through the centre - over 180 refugees and asylum seekers and in addition to this, they are providing over 3,000 hot meals and delivering over 2,200 food parcels. That is an amazing support network working in our community’.
Finally Joan Hoult CEO, summed up what the Centre's Core work is:
To help and support clients with their asylum paper work.
Directing their clients to legal and professional advice.
To provide food parcels, clothing, household goods and toys for the children.
Establishing financial support.
Having a weekly drop-in service and providing communal lunches on a regular basis.
Weekly classes with English language tuition and IT programmes.
Yoga, fitness and well being programmes held on a weekly basis, promoting a healthy lifestyle.
The Rotary Club is now considering what additional needs it could further support, ‘Walking With’ to enable them to welcome more refugees and asylum seekers into our community.
If you would like to know more about our Rotary Club please do not hesitate to contact us through or website or telephone – 07419 736989.
Picture 1 (L-R) Roger Windass (Rotary Club Secretary), Jean Hoult (CEO Walking With) Client, David Wilkinson (Rotary), W/Bay President Rod Clark,
Seated – Liz Hayes (Senior Vice-President, W/Bay Rotary)
Picture 2 (L-R) – Standing; Jean Hoult (CEO Walking With), Lee Hoult (Volunteer), President Rod Clark (W/Bay Rotary), David Wilkinson (W/Bay Rotary), Roger Windass (Secretary W/Bay Rotary), Liz Hazes (Senior Vice-President W/Bay Rotary), Clare Campbell (Volunteer Co-Ordinator), David Brodie (Volunteer English Teacher).
Seated - clients of Walking With.