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Mon, 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.

Margaret Retires

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.

Farewell As Margaret Retires

On April 10th we bid a sad farewell to one of our longest-serving volunteers - Margaret McCann.

She will be dearly missed at the Destitution Project. Margaret has helped to teach English to asylum seekers and refugees and has been such a ray of sunlight to us all over the years.

Margaret popped back in to DP this week to share some lovely words of thanks:

"I want to apologise for not responding to Kath’s very kind words and not thanking you all for your lovely gifts and card. I was so surprised at receiving this attention that I was stuck for words. Not often that happens! And I feel so unworthy of your praise.

About 11 years ago, I came here hoping to help refugees who wanted to learn English. I wanted you to feel more comfortable and welcome in our community. I quickly learned that you taught me, gave to me so much more than I could ever give you. Your spirit - what you have had to go through before and suffer here - but you keep in hoping. It’s been a privilege for me to get to know you. The Joy of watching you, for example, go from not knowing a word of English to now interpreting for me!

As part of the team of volunteers, I’ve always found DP like a great family. I hope you keep that spirit. I’ll never forget you all. You’re in my heart and I hope to call in now and again to see you."

Margaret Retires

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.