6 charities you can donate to at your hen to support refugees & minority groups
You might be feeling at a loss of what to do with all the recent racist, anti-immigration riots in the UK. I talked how I’m feeling about it on Instagram recently.
It’s been wonderful to see communities come together and show their support and solidarity, but if you’re like me, you might feel like you want to do more.
Read on to learn how you can take what you’re feeling and transmute it into something positive for all our communities in the UK…
Donate 1% of the hen party budget
It might feel strange or wrong to be throwing a hen party or another kind of celebration, knowing that there’s so much suffering in the world, and people with so much less than we have. You might even feel a bit guilty about it - and that’s normal.
You can use your celebration and friendship circle to make a contribution to organisations and charities who are supporting refugees, asylum seekers and minority groups.
If you were to donate just 1% of your hen party budget, that’s probably about £2.50 per person. Donating 3% would still only be £7.50. So why not ask everyone attending to make a contribution they’re comfortable with and you’ll be supporting charities who are able to make a real difference.
How to donate to charity as part of your hen party
There are several simple ways you can donate to a charity:
Choose a charity and donate directly on their website. It’ll be easiest if you collect all the money and then make one donation.
Use a platform like Just Giving to make a collection and have it on sent to the charity through them. Everyone can make their own donation at an amount they’re comfortable with.
Check if anyone in your group works for a company with a donation matching scheme. Often large companies have a scheme to contribute to the personal donations employees make so you could double your donation if you donate through them!
Find more ideas for how to donate or fundraise for charity as party of your hen party
Charities to donate to that support refugees, asylum seekers & minority groups
Refugee Action
Established in 1981 and based in London, Refugee Action provides support and advice to refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. The charity helps with resettlement, integration, and navigating the asylum system. It also campaigns for the rights of refugees and works to improve public perception and policies affecting them.
Women for Refugee Women
Founded in 2007 and based in London, Women for Refugee Women supports female asylum seekers and refugees. The organization offers practical help, including legal advice, English language classes, and emotional support. It also advocates for gender-sensitive asylum policies and raises awareness of the challenges faced by refugee women.
Choose Love
Launched in 2015, Choose Love (formerly Help Refugees) operates globally, providing emergency aid and long-term solutions to displaced people. Based in London, the charity focuses on fundraising and grassroots support for refugees, offering essentials like food, shelter, and medical care while advocating for systemic change.
Beauty Banks
Founded in 2018, Beauty Banks is based in the UK and aims to combat hygiene poverty by providing essential toiletries to those in need. The charity works with grassroots organizations and charities across the UK to distribute donated hygiene products, including soap, shampoo, and sanitary items, to people experiencing poverty who could be in asylum or refugee centres.
You can volunteer with Beauty Banks as part of your hen party in Brighton and Croydon, or donate hygiene products to them directly with your hens.
Care4Calais
Founded in 2015 and based in the UK, Care4Calais supports refugees living in Northern France and Belgium. The charity provides essential services, such as food, clothing, and legal support, to asylum seekers living in difficult conditions. It also advocates for humane policies towards refugees in Europe.
UK Black Lives Matter (UKBLM)
Founded in 2016, UKBLM is based in the UK and is part of the global Black Lives Matter movement. The organization campaigns against racism, particularly in policing and criminal justice, and supports Black communities through advocacy, education, and direct action. It focuses on dismantling systemic racism and promoting equality.