A grassroots refugee charity in Bristol is calling on businesses in the city to help it find a new home for the work it does supporting more than 5,000 displaced and vulnerable people.
Aid Box Community (ABC) was founded nine years ago in response to the global refugee crisis. It provides a free shop, befriending and activities programmes and a operates a crisis fund. 
Due to the level of demand, it has outgrown its current premises on Cheltenham Road and, with the lease ending on 1 July, is now desperately trying to find a place that is not only fit-for-purpose but will also provide additional space for expansion.
ABC founder and director Imogen McIntosh said the charity was well-positioned for the move to bigger premises, having secured multiyear funding from lotteries and other trusts.
“The need for our service is greater than ever,” she added. “We are responding to more and more people every day and there is no sign of this slowing down.
“There have been times when people have had to queue outside and, as our service has evolved, we now need more physical space so people can connect and help our team work in a more suitable environment.”
The charity, which has a budget of £45,000 a year, needs a unit of at least 3,000 sq ft on a three-year lease as a minimum.
In particular, it is hoping to find something outside Bristol’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ), while still being as central as possible and near bus routes, preferably north of the city centre.
Thousands of Bristolians have volunteered their time and donated aid and funds to keep ABC operational, spreading what it calls ‘Bristol love’ to some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
Imogen added: “We are a truly Bristol charity, made from the love, time and financial contributions of the people who live here.
“We really urge businesses, landlords members of the community to come forward with leads for consideration so we can move on to the next stage of our journey.”
For more information or to make an offer of help, contact Clare at clare@aidboxcommunity.co.uk
