By mid June, we understood there were still around 700 Afghan refugees in Camden hotels:  125 families waiting for resettlement since their evacuation in August/September 2021. 

We did not know how many (if any) would respond to our invitation to an Afghan family afternoon in late July.  As it happened, we were pleasantly surprised that about 375 Afghans attended. Around 200 of them were children, ranging in age from babies to teenagers. We were joined by 25 Camden guests, including local teachers and Parent Champions (parent volunteers who give a few hours a week to talk to marginalised or isolated parents about how to access local services available to families). 

The Coram Foundation provided the venue, safe and shady, within walking distance of the Bloomsbury hotels. 70 generous donors provided funds which paid for Afghan food, live Afghan music, play activities, security and interpreters. The nearby Coram's Fields provided two sports coaches for older children.  One donation enabled us to serve 500 ice-creams which were particularly popular. Our 31 volunteers helped with serving food, supervising play and keeping order.  It was a bustling atmosphere marked by excited children, appreciative mothers and young men dancing to the music. 

Thank you for all the help in cash and kind which made this happen, and lays the ground for further outreach to refugee families.