Church donates £5,000 to support pregnant women and new mothers seeking sanctuary

The Catholic Church has donated a four-figure sum this Christmas to the Refugee Survival Trust Bumps to Babies Bus Pass scheme, which will assist asylum-seeker women who are heavily pregnant or have a newborn with free travel for 10 weeks, allowing them have better access to vital facilities and appointments.

Like all people seeking asylum in the UK, pregnant women and new mothers are living on a very low income that makes regular bus use impossible. This can lead to isolation and can make it difficult to access vital support such as food banks and legal meetings about their asylum claim.

The bus passes make a big difference to women during pregnancy who often have more health appointments during this time, but will find walking especially difficult or tiring.

The bus passes also help women to meet with their support networks at this time, which is incredibly important for the mental health and well being of new mothers.

Bishop William Nolan of Galloway Diocese, the Bishop President for Justice and Peace Scotland, said:

“The Scottish bishops are delighted to support the ‘Bump and Baby Bus Passes’ scheme which assists asylum-seeker women who are pregnant or have recently had a baby. As the season of Advent continues, we might consider the plight of another young mother fleeing persecution, looking for sanctuary and safety for herself, her husband and her child.

We celebrate the fact that, that family found shelter and that child brought hope to the world, as we hope that this scheme will make the lives of mothers in difficulty just a little easier.”

Read the entire article here.

Please join the Bishops in their support by donating to our bump and baby bus pass appeal to tackle isolation faced by asylum seeker women who are heavily pregnant or have a new baby.

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