Who We Are
Founded in 2017, Collective Aid supports refugees and other displaced people by stepping in where governments and large organisations do not.
In Calais, the state does not provide accomodation, even confiscating people’s items to drive them away. Clothing and shelter is their people’s right.
We hold year-round distributions of clothing, bedding, shelter and hygiene items, giving people a blanket to sleep under, a tent to live in, and warm and dry clothes.
Why We're Here
Since the destruction of the large camp known as the ‘Jungle’, Calais has remained a place where between 1000 and 2000 displaced people live in precarious conditions under constant police repression.
The people we support stay in informal camps, living in tents and under tarpaulins as best they can. Hypothermia is a real risk between the months of October and May when temperatures reach -7°C.
We reach 600 - 800 people per week, distributing up to 12,000 items per month.
In 2021, we have distributed:
2,718 Tents
3,557 Sleeping Bags
5,045 Blankets
4,966 Tarpaulins
3,956 Jackets
2,981 Pairs of Shoes
13,632 Pairs of Socks
What We Need
While people’s generous support and the tireless work of our volunteers means that we will have tents, clothing and bedding to give, we cannot distribute them without fuel in our vans, or without a warehouse secured through the winter months.
That is why we urgently need your help. We need to keep providing life-saving aid in freezing conditions. Every little bit of support makes a difference.
If you'd like to volunteer, apply through this form.