Napier Drop-In Centre is a welcoming, safe space for refugees housed at Napier Barracks in Folkestone, Kent.

“The asylum-seeking period is one of the most challenging things I have ever experienced; it’s a combination of loneliness, hopelessness and anxiety.

The Napier Barracks Drop-In Centre helped me in many ways; they restored my faith in humanity. It’s a great feeling when you’re surrounded by kind people who recognise your presence when you reach a state where you only need your existence to be acknowledged.

Not to mention finding me a suitable solicitor, helping other refugees with their needs and creating a healthy environment for everyone else to unwind and refresh their minds.

In summary, many thanks to those guys who made my journey much easier and bearable.”

“I have received lots of invaluable help from Napier Barracks Drop-in Centre. They provided crucial social contact for me when I felt very isolated. They even helped me to find an asylum lawyer.

After claiming asylum, I suffered from depression and had to take medication. This was a very difficult time for me. The Drop-In staff regularly checked in on me to ensure that I was okay. They provided me with a bicycle and a SIM card. They also helped me to connect with an LGBT+ social group in Folkestone. This group was instrumental in helping me get out of my depression.

I am very grateful to Yvonne and Sally, who have been there for me. We would meet every week in church, talk and eat together, and they became my friends. It started to feel like they were my family.”

“I believe that Napier Drop-In is one of the most responsible, honest and reliable charities that I have been in contact with in Kent. You can't imagine how much Napier Drop-In has helped me to integrate into the UK. This organisation really deserves more recognition, and it will always be close to my heart. I really recommend Napier Drop-In to all new asylum seekers, as it is very reliable and full of love. Thank you for everything, Napier Drop-In and, in particular, to Yvonne.”

”I was transferred to Napier Barracks in June 2022 and given the address of the Drop-In. From the moment we arrived, all the volunteers gave us a warm welcome, made us feel confident, and provided legal support, food, clothing, footwear, SIM cards with Internet, and entertainment. We applied to volunteer and were put in touch with Locavore Community Garden, where we maintained the garden for approximately two months. In addition to inviting us to different community recreational activities, everyone involved in the project cared for our well-being at all times.

I want to express my most sincere thanks for the altruistic work of the Drop-In, mainly to the coordinator, Sally Hough, Indre Lechtimiakyte from Samphire, and Raga Gibreel from JRS. I hope that the project will continue, as they do very important work for migrants.”