Studio helps the ARC Project Blackburn with a selection box donation

Studio, one of East Lancashire’s largest employers, are making Christmas brighter for those in need with a generous annual donation of selection boxes to those who would appreciate them.

The ARC Project Blackburn is a charity based at Wesley Hall in Blackburn Town Centre. Founded in 2004, ARC is well established, working with asylum seekers and refugees in the Blackburn with Darwen Borough.

ARC seeks to create a safe, welcoming space for those fleeing war, persecution and violence in their homelands.  In order for them to start rebuilding their lives in the UK, ARC provides practical support and a number of different activities for service users to participate in, five days a week.

In 2016 ARC was awarded the Fusion Community Cohesion award for their efforts in promoting the integration of asylum seekers and refugees into the local community.  More recently, in 2019, they were awarded 1Voice 'Institute of the Year'. ARC is a regular attendee of the Blackburn with Darwen Asylum Seeker Multi Agency Forum, and works in partnership with local and national organisations to provide their service users with as many opportunities as possible.

Collette King, director of HR at Studio said: “This year has been a particularly tough year for all of us, and we’re delighted to able to once again donate selection boxes to a worthy cause. We hope they go some way towards making the people ARC supports, feel welcome in our community.”

Syd Soge, manager at The ARC Project Blackburn, added: “We are so grateful for the help we receive to continue our work here. We hand out food packs, fresh fruit and veg, toiletries, clothing, nappies, baby milk and baby food once a week to out service users. The selection boxes from Studio will be handed to the younger service users, to brighten their Christmas. Thanks once again!”

ARC would really welcome donations of toiletries, cooking oil and size 5/6 nappies in particular, if anyone could spare just a little. Donations can be dropped off on Wednesdays 10.30 onwards.

For more information about charity The ARC Project Blackburn visit: www.arcprojectblackburn.com

For more information about Studio visit: www.studio.co.uk