Wondering how volunteers can make a lasting impact after leaving the island? Meet Fleur, a former volunteer who organised and collected donations from her home community and sent 3 pallets of clothes to our warehouse – including much needed items like hijabs and modest clothing for women, and trousers for men. As the free shop relies heavily on private donations and support from our community across the world, donations like these make a tangible difference for the visitors to the shop, ensuring they have access to a variety of clothing. For Fleur, being able to continue her support for Samos Volunteers even after leaving the island, “is about being a part of something bigger than myself and offering practical assistance where it's desperately needed”.

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Last month, we launched Roots and Branches, a vibrant Community Magazine celebrating the resilience, diversity, and strength of our community. Featuring artwork, poetry, letters, essays, and crafts created at Community Journalism workshops during the spring of 2025, the Zine shines light on bold voices and powerful perspectives. With reflections over themes of belonging, identity, hope, and dreams, the publication illustrates the power of creative expression and storytelling as a form of resilience.

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This Pride Month, we highlight the challenges faced by LGBTQI+ people on the move. From criminalisation in their home countries to continued stigma and abuse in host states, queer asylum seekers are often denied the safety and dignity they deserve. At Samos Volunteers, we advocate for the creation of safe, inclusive spaces that affirm identity, foster community, and offer protection. These spaces are vital to the well-being, visibility, and empowerment of queer individuals navigating displacement. 

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Meet Jennifer, a passionate volunteer from Canada who first visited Samos last year and came across our work at Samos Volunteers. Inspired by the mission, she returned home and began fundraising efforts within her local community. Now, she’s back—this time not just as a supporter, but as an active part of our team. In this interview, Jennifer shares her experience, motivations, and reflections on her experience with Samos Volunteers. 

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As March comes to a close, we reflect on the importance of women’s spaces within our community centres. At Alpha Centre and Alpha Land, these spaces foster connection, safety, and growth. To dive deeper into their impact, we spoke with Corinna, one of our Community Centre Officers, who’s been facilitating these spaces for the past few months.

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During the Week of Solidarity with People Against Racism and Racial Discrimination, we celebrate the power of unity and inclusion at our community centres, Alpha Centre and Alpha Land. By embracing cultural traditions, such as Ramadan and Nowruz, and fostering a welcoming environment through shared music and activities, we create spaces where everyone feels respected and valued.

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Nine years after the EU-Türkiye agreement, people seeking asylum continue to face precarious conditions and human rights violations, as we witness on the island of Samos. Today, we highlight the human rights violations that the deal has perpetuated and condemn this ongoing reality. It is time for a migration policy that prioritizes people over politics, offering true protection, dignity, and a future to those seeking refuge.

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Today, on International Women's Day, we highlight the unique challenges faced by women on the move, particularly those residing in the Samos Closed-Controlled Access Centre (CCAC). Women in these settings often lack of privacy, and inadequate support, which exacerbate the already difficult experience of migration. We advocate for the creation of women-only spaces to provide support and empowerment. These spaces are not only essential for their safety and well-being but also recognize their resilience and agency. Let’s stand together in advocating for a more equitable and respectful approach to the protection and integration of women in migration.

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