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Sat, Aug

Bolton Destitution Project

Helping to create new futures for Bolton’s asylum seekers and refugees…

The Wednesday Drop-in is closed tomorrow (July 22nd 2026) for the team's annual holiday break.
The Drop-in reopened on Wednesday, July 29th at 10am.

DAVID O'KEEFFE WINS THE CVS TRUSTEE OF THE YEAR AWARD 2019

NEED HELP? Visit The DP DROP IN CENTRE >>

DONATIONS

Due to a severe shortage of storage space, at the moment DP is unable to accept donations of clothing and household goods.

For further information and updates on the situation please contact us at info@boltondp.org Please note this does not apply to food and toiletries. We are still accepting donations of toiletries and non-perishable food. The Food Team can advise what we are most in need of. We are very grateful for all your support and will advise when we are able to accept donations once more.

David O'Keeffe wins the CVS Trustee of the Year Award 2019

David O’Keeffe became a Trustee of THE DESTITUTION PROJECT (DP) in 2015. The Project had just become an independent charity, separate from BRASS (Befriending Asylum Seekers & Refugees).

In January that year, the project opened its doors at the Victoria Hall each Wednesday to asylum seekers and refugees. It had no money in its bank account.

All it had to offer was a warm, barren room with several chairs and tables, a free hot meal at lunch time, hot drinks and biscuits all day, free food parcels for the destitute, plus a hand of friendship to around 60 service users who came on that day. Who would have thought that only 4 years later the same Project opens its doors to around 130 service users every Wednesday? It has a healthy bank account, a good stock of food on its shelves to help make up food parcels for the destitute, plus English lessons and other classes. It has a skilled casework and triage team, a barber, snooker and table tennis. All free!

How has all this become possible in 4 years? It is possible mainly because of one amazing person - volunteer /trustee DAVID O’KEEFFE. His drive and enthusiasm for the "cause" knows no bounds. Without exaggeration he has worked wonders to enable this wonderful charity to both survive and thrive! He has served as Drop in Centre Manager, Secretary, written to countless charities, organisations and individuals in the hope that they will make donations. He has personally shown many people around the premises, raised our profile and has spoken about DP at numerous events in our town. He is a wonderful role model in terms of dedication to welcoming, and helping individual service users and new volunteers.

We are now in a position to fund a drop in coordinator and casework assistant, lap tops for English classes, rent for the premises, food purchases etc. The list is endless! For us all he has not only brought his wonderful skills as a valuable and gifted trustee but he has brought a whole lot of love and laughter to this fantastic project. He puts his heart and soul into being a much loved and much appreciated trustee and volunteer. DP gladly nominated David for this important Award and we were all delighted yesterday when he came out tops! Since David is currently overseas, his partner Wendy was at the CVS event along with DP Chair Paul Martin to receive the award on David's behalf.

Congrats David from the whole DP family!!

David Wins CVS Award

Please Help Bolton DP

WOULD YOU LIKE TO VOLUNTEER WITH THE DESTITUTION PROJECT (DP)?

To run its weekly Drop-In for asylum seekers and refugees and provide casework support, the Destitution Project relies heavily on the help and dedication of its volunteers.

Because we are a thriving organisation with much work to be done, we are looking for volunteers who are able to give us at least one day per week for a minimum of 6 months. If you are recently retired, part-time employed or otherwise able to give us this level of commitment, we would love to hear from you!

You can email us at: info@boltondp.org and send us a CV or details on your relevant experience and availability. We will then arrange for you to visit the Drop-In on a Wednesday so that you can have a guided tour and we can explain a bit more about what volunteering with us will involve.

Particular skills we are currently looking for are:

General admin skills and experience: You will need to be able to come in on different days (e.g. on Wednesdays and Fridays) when needed. We will work with you to find times that suit both you and the team.

IT and computer skills: we often need help on a Wednesdays (9.00am - 3.00pm) and sometimes on other occasions when needed.

DP Reception Team: you will need to be able to come in from 9.00am to 3.30 pm each Wednesday and help with the sign-in system, welcoming service users and visitors and managing access to the Drop-In.

Drop in Team: you will need to be able to come in from 9am- 3.00pm on Wednesdays. It may involve General Hall Duties including the setting up and putting away of furniture and games equipment or supporting in the Food or Clothes Room with managing stock and assisting our Service Users. You will need to be able to work well as part of a team.

English Teaching: to teach English at a basic or intermediate level in small groups on a Wednesday each week. No formal qualifications required but some background in English teaching/education may be helpful.

Thank you for considering volunteering with us!

Download The RefAID App

A single point for refugees to find information and for NGOs to provide it. The Refugee Aid App mobile app shows migrants, refugees and aid workers where services are closest to them on a map with a very simple interface.

A web based content management and communication system allows official aid organizations to manage and update their services and to get their critical aid to where it is most urgently needed.

Donate To Bolton Destitution Project