Pret Kingston, Clarence Street

Save the World Club (SWC) is an environmental creative arts, education and entertainment charity. At SWC’s heart is a commitment to improving the well-being of individuals and communities and protecting the environment demonstrating imaginative skills and solutions and having fun, so we can all live in healthier and more sustainable ways. SWC was set up 30 years ago by Des Kay. The organisation was primarily concerned with Des using recycled materials to create unique kinetic and mechanical structures which told children and family audiences stories of waste and gave other important environmental messages. After many successful years, Professor Kayoss is a legend and SWC has grown to an organisation with thousands of committed supporters. Over the years, we have created Award-winning large community mosaic artworks with thousands involved throughout the process of creation. Using waste materials, many are on display around Kingston Town and the Borough. Our remit for cutting waste extends to monitoring what gets thrown away, and rescuing items able to be recirculated, either as themselves, or through upcycling to something else. We are also key collectors of surplus food that we distribute daily, to local charities, institutions and others in need.

Refugee Action Kingston was (RAK) established in 1991 to support refugees of all backgrounds living in Kingston upon Thames and the surrounding boroughs. We help refugees to fully integrate, live fulfilling and independent lives and become recognised and active participants in their local communities. Increasing numbers of clients live in hotels and temporary accommodation and they tell us that being unable to choose and prepare their own food or eat in a social setting has a negative impact on them, not only nutritionally but also emotionally. We are in particular need of food to serve within our services and also to distribute to people in hotels who are struggling in particular expectant mums and children. Refugees face multiple deprivation exacerbated by lack of social connections which can lead to isolation, barriers to English language skills, rights, and entitlements, and can face discrimination and stigma. Last year Refugee Action Kingston (RAK) celebrated 30 years of supporting asylum seekers and refugees to integrate into the Kingston community. Last year we supported over 1500 clients and this number is sure to raise in 2023/2024. Conditions of suffering, war and persecution continue in many other places, driving movements of refugees whose needs and legitimacy have to actively be championed amid often hostile coverage of asylum issues. In particular, our own way of working has been affected by increasing numbers of newly arrived asylum seekers being housed in local hotels in Kingston. The need to adapt to meet the challenges faced by new arrivals, and the unique needs that they present, has prompted changes across the organisation. Our philosophy is that all refugees and asylum seekers deserve equal treatment, regardless of where they are from or how they arrived here. We support clients with: • Advice and advocacy to ensure they are being well-represented and get the right outcomes, with legal advice, housing and welfare support • Education and employment from ESOL classes, supplemental education for young people through to employment and vocational training • Support with physical and mental health to ensure they are able to lead fulfilling lives and deal with the trauma they have been through Over the past year, more than 1500 clients benefited from at least one of our services, with many receiving multiple areas of support. This is delivered through our staff team, but also underpinned by our fantastic team of 154 active volunteers. RAK delivers a holistic service including Community English Classes, therapeutic and wellbeing services, legal and welfare advice & advocacy and services for children and young people from community venues in Kingston upon Thames and surrounding boroughs