By Francesca Scott, Third year English
‘In a time when hostility against refugees is so common, it’s especially important to have solidarity amongst young people,’ Radhika Mitra reflects. But how can we meaningfully practise solidarity in support of the refugee cause?
This week, SolidariTee is hosting its Week of Action (2nd–8th of February), a dedicated week to unite students around principles of solidarity and activism. In its lead-up, I spoke with Radhika Mitra, Team Lead of SolidariTee Bristol, to explore the organisation’s work and the philosophy underpinning the charity.
Reflecting on how she became involved, Radhika explained, 'I found out about SolidariTee through a newsletter from the Politics Department. When I realised there wasn’t a team at Bristol, I decided to apply to start one. I became Team Lead in February 2025 and then focused on recruiting members, organising events, and growing SolidariTee Bristol!'
In celebration of the Week of Action, let’s take a closer look at SolidariTee and their work:
SolidariTee is an international, student-led charity dedicated to fostering long-term change in the treatment of people forced to flee their homes. With 48 regional teams across the UK, the charity’s core mission, as Radhika explains, is to 'raise money and awareness for refugees through providing legal aid and mental health support via youth-led activism.'
Funding is distributed through a partnership model, allowing grassroots organisations to provide targeted support to refugees and other vulnerable migrants. One of SolidariTee’s most accessible initiatives is fundraising through merchandise (hence the ‘tee!’): t-shirts priced between £6–£12 and sweatshirts at £20 directly fund partner organisations’ legal aid work, with the aim of helping people 'live in peace and safety.'
'[SolidariTee] makes me feel hopeful when the current world can seem so bleak.'
SolidariTee treats knowledge as the first step toward meaningful change, making its work especially important in a political climate where misinformation about refugees and asylum seekers is widespread. The organisation’s myth-busting ethos challenges harmful rhetoric surrounding migration, positioning knowledge as a crucial precursor to action. SolidariTee provides students with opportunities to contribute to changing narratives and engage others in conversations that foster understanding and empathy.
In a world where many feel powerless in the face of political inaction and ongoing failures in refugee protection, SolidariTee provides a source of optimism within the student community. Speaking about her experience with the charity, Team Member Josie Stanyer commented, 'I have really enjoyed meeting so many like-minded people who are looking to make a positive change and support those in need. It makes me feel hopeful when the current world can seem so bleak.'
When asked what ‘solidarity’ means to her personally, Radhika reflected, ‘To me, solidarity means standing with those who aren’t able to speak up for themselves, and using our relative privilege to champion a cause we care about. In a time when hostility against refugees is so common, it’s especially important to have solidarity amongst young people.’
In today’s climate, the need to take purposeful action has never been greater, and organisations like SolidariTee offer a beacon of hope. By creating spaces for dialogue, SolidariTee encourages understanding among Bristol students and enables us to make a difference in our own small way. Reflecting on the team’s achievements, Radhika recalls, 'Our first ever event is one I’m still especially proud of! It was a bake sale, which may sound simple, but it was a wonderful team-building experience where everyone got to utilise their skills.' That event raised £200, and the team’s fundraising efforts have been unwavering ever since.
Radhika’s advice for students wanting to get involved is straightforward: 'Put yourself out there! If there’s a cause or charity out there you care about, reach out, fundraise, and do what you can—every little helps.'
And it certainly does! Since being registered as a charity in 2019, SolidariTee has provided over £600,000 in funding, with more than £45,000 distributed to partner organisations since August.
Radhika’s words encapsulate the ethos of SolidariTee: that meaningful solidarity requires initiative, commitment, and the willingness to act within one’s own community. Even the simplest initiatives can make a real impact.
The Bristol team continues to foster student engagement through events: the term began with a pub quiz at the White Bear, and upcoming activities include a y2k-themed Daisy’s club night in collaboration with Falstaff Society on Friday 6th of February and a zine making workshop on Wednesday 11th of February. Daisy’s tickets are £3.50 and all proceeds go directly to SolidariTee. Tickets can be purchased here.
Kate Bowie
Niamh Rowe
Beyond supporting the cause by repping a T-shirt and attending events, SolidariTee is currently recruiting Team Members. If you’d be interested in donating your time to support an amazing cause, you can apply here.
Organisations like SolidariTee show how students can take action in ways that are both thoughtful and practical. By turning awareness into action, Bristol students show that solidarity isn’t merely a sentiment — to stand in solidarity is to act through small, tangible efforts.
Featured Image: @teesofsolidarity
Want to turn solidarity into action? Get involved with SolidariTee today and help make a real difference.
