We believe in bridging borders through conversation. Conversation Over Borders started during the COVID-19 lockdown, to bring people together in a time of isolation. We bring together displaced people and the wider community, to facilitate human connection, reduce social isolation and build confidence in spoken English. We believe in ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to thrive in their new lives in the UK. English & Befriending Programme: Our flagship programme brings together people seeking asylum with people living in the UK one-to-one to bridge borders, make friends and practice English. Our classes are run one-to-one online to ensure they are accessible to people across the country. We have facilitated over 7500 conversation classes since 2020. Wellbeing Programme: We offer online peer-to-peer mental health support groups and counselling in English and Arabic, for volunteers and learners. We encourage active participation and facilitation of the group sessions by people with lived experience of displacement. Digital Inclusion Programme: To tackle digital exclusion, we repurpose donated phones, laptops and tablets and offer them with internet connection and digital training to refugees and asylum seekers across the UK. This works in conjunction with our other Programmes so that clients can access our online support, and stay connected to their friends, families and communities. Storytelling Programme: We platform the voices and stories of displaced people through film, photography and writing. Through our current 'Refugee Heritage Project', run in partnership with Refugee Radio and National Lottery Heritage Fund, we are platforming refugee heritage stories through a documentary, podcast series and book, releasing at the end of 2022. We believe that a world where cross-cultural exchange is encouraged is a more accepting world.
