OUR PROJECTS
Since a particularly big eviction at the end of 2021, the role of Roots has changed considerably. People were evicted and relocated to a site that had no access to running water. We responded to the situation, building water points on site and transporting drinking water to them daily throughout 2022 and 2023 so that everyone had access to water. In 2024, the state reinstalled 2 water points in mid summer. As much as we have grown over the last 12 months, our original ethos remains the same. Our first and foremost aim is to maintain a standard quality of living for those who find themselves in this area.
OUR WASH PROJECTS
We clean the water points 365 days a year. Our water project developed at the end of 2021 as a direct response to a particularly large eviction in which resulted in the informal camp at Dunkirk being moved to a site that had no access to running water. Currently , access to water for individuals is easier since the 2 water points installed by the local authority, the CUD. We maintain all water points by cleaning , litter picking , restocking of toiletry items twice a day.
We run a communication hub and hot showers at a centralised distribution site. The communication hub is provided in large gazebos with the wifi via our partner organisation Jangala. In winter we can ensure this environment is heated to provide some relief from the bitter winter conditions in Dunkirk.
We maintain our hygiene and information projects as well, through up to date posters, and careful cleaning of the water points around the camp.
We have delivered over 5 million litres since 2021.​
If we had given the equivalent out as 2l bottles of water it would have cost €390 000.
The main water points are maintained by us and also used as spaces for people to access valuable information through info points.
We provided over 10,800 hot showers provided to displaced individuals in 2022. We have relaunched hot showers in 2024.
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HELP US PROVIDE OUR SERVICES
To run our services, we rely on technical equipment such as vans, generators, charging tables, as well as consumables such as hygiene items and fuel. If you are able to donate towards the costs of any of these, we would love to hear from you!
The work we do would be impossible without the help of our many wonderful volunteers.
Everybody has different skills to offer and develop, volunteer with us and find yours!
Do you have any fundraising ideas?We are looking for people to launch and manage impactful fundraising campaigns!
DIGITAL INCLUSION
Charging and Wi-Fi is extremely important in reducing digital exclusion. we run charge and wifi 5 times a week, supporting other groups who cannot do this daily. providing people on the ground with the ability to communicate. Phone charging and access to data is incredibly important. Many of these people are away from family and friends and so need phones to remain connected to their communities. We also provide board games and television screenings of films and football matches to provide entertainment for mental wellbeing.
It is also a lifeline; people can access information about services on the ground, as well as safety information and emergency services if they need. It allows for increased autonomy and is a fundamental necessity. We have 192 charging spaces, both European plug sockets and USB ports, available over 4 tables.
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We have a generator which runs off LPG gas to power the charging station. The charging station is dry and heated in winter, and provides welcome shade in summer.
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The tables are built in our warehouse from purchased trestle tables and plug sockets. Learn more about our upcyling project below.
We have the capacity to charge 150 devices at a time.
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Over 110 hours of Wi-Fi provided in January 2025.
This is a space that allows people to stay warm and dry whilst connecting with the rest of the world via Jangala Wi-Fi.
We have made vast improvements to the community hub, including heaters, bigger and better gazebos, and increased the access to Wi-Fi.
HELP US PROVIDE OUR SERVICES
DON'T BIN YOUR OLD LAPTOP BATTERIES! Donate them to us! Send us an email so we can arrange a pick up.
Our vital work would be impossible without the help of our many, wonderful volunteers. Take part in a meaningful project and join our family!
Do you have any fundraising ideas? We are looking for people to launch and manage impactful fundraising campaigns!
ENVIROnMENTAL SECURITY
We work on the ground implementing our waste management programme, emptying bins provided by Roots daily.
Despite our provision of bins, the area can still get littered very quickly.
We aim to conduct litter picks every day, and we invite you to join us in keeping the water points safe and clean for everyone.
Whether you are an organisation, individual or an informal group, come and join us for 20 minutes, an hour or a whole day - everyone is welcome.
We supply all the cleaning materials, gloves, litter pickers wheel barrows - just bring yourself!
Regular large-scale litter picks in common areas.
Worm farm for food waste and healthy soil.
Reusable rubber tubs and barrels to transport trash to the skip, removing the need for black bin-bags.
Constantly looking for ways to be more environmental, switching to a more fuel efficient LPG generator.
HELP US PROVIDE OUR SERVICES
If you have any sanitation/hygiene products or equipment to donate, we would love to hear from you!
Our vital work would be impossible without the help of our many wonderful volunteers. Take part in a meaningful project and join our family!
Do you have any fundraising ideas? We are looking for people to launch and manage impactful fundraising campaigns!