Face to Face

There are several easy ways to recognise an official UK for UNHCR face‑to‑face fundraiser.

Our fundraisers will always: 

• Wear visible UK for UNHCR branded clothing or materials 

• Carry an official photo ID badge showing their name and fundraiser number 

• Use secure digital devices to register donations 

• Only ask for regular donations – never cash or one‑off gifts 

If you’re still unsure or would like to check whether we had a fundraising team in your area, please get in touch with our Supporter Care Team.

Our face-to-face fundraisers work across the UK at private sites (such as train stations or shopping centres) and at various street locations in London. The fundraising agency we work with, Zen Fundraising Ltd, will have fundraisers representing UK for UNHCR at multiple locations over the next three months.

Our fundraisers are only permitted to sign people up to regular donations. They are not allowed to ask for or accept cash or one‑off payments. If you’d prefer to give a one‑off donation, you can do so online here or by contacting our Supporter Care team. If someone claiming to represent UK for UNHCR has asked you for cash or a one‑off donation, they may not be genuine. Please report this to our Supporter Care Team at [email protected] or call 020 8183 0127 (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm).

We value all feedback and use it to help improve how we work and communicate. If you’d like to tell us about your experience, you can:

• Email us at [email protected] 

• Call 020 8183 0127, Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm 

• Write to: Supporter Care UK for UNHCR WeWork, 1 Mark Square London, EC2A 4EG

If you decided later that you’d like to set up a regular gift, you can do this online or by calling 0800 029 3883. Our team is available: 

• Monday–Saturday, 8am–8pm 

• Sunday, 9am–6pm 

Thank you for choosing to support refugees.

You can make changes or cancel your regular gift at any time. Simply contact our Supporter Care Team by emailing [email protected] or calling 020 8183 0127 (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm).

Face‑to‑face fundraising is closely regulated and plays an important role in supporting many charities. Our fundraisers work to the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice and the Chartered Institute of Fundraising’s standards. We expect them to be polite, respectful, and engaging — never aggressive or pressuring.

Fundraisers are trained to recognise when people appear busy or unavailable. If you’re approached and don’t wish to stop, a simple and polite “No, thank you” is always enough.

Here’s what you can expect:

• A brief conversation about UNHCR’s work and impact
• If you choose to donate, the fundraiser will collect a few details such as your name, address, and contact preferences 
• If you sign up to give regularly via Direct Debit this will be set up securely and digitally. Your monthly donation will start on or just after 10th of the month and every month afterwards.
• If you sign up to give regularly via recurring card payment this will also be set up securely and digitally. Your first donation will be taken instantly from your debit/credit card and then every month from the same card and on the same date that you signed up.
• You’ll receive an instant confirmation by email and SMS
• A welcome call will follow in the next few days to thank you
• A welcome pack will arrive by post shortly after

We need your bank or card details to process your donation securely. For regular donations, they allow us to collect your donation automatically on the dates you choose. Your financial details are kept secure and used only for donation processing.

Direct Debit is one of the most trusted methods for regular charitable giving in the UK and is covered by the Direct Debit Guarantee.

Recurring card payments make giving easy for donors. They are a secure, efficient, and cost‑effective way to provide ongoing support to refugees.

Yes. All sign‑ups are completed using encrypted, secure systems. Fundraisers are unable to view or store your bank or card details once the process is complete.

Regular donations give us reliable funding, allowing us to plan ahead, respond quickly to emergencies, and keep administration costs lower over time.

Yes. Face‑to‑face fundraisers are paid for their work and training and receive at least the equivalent of the Living Wage.

We use your information to process your donation and stay in touch, only in the ways you’ve agreed to. You can read more in our UK for UNHCR Privacy Policy.

We’ll only contact you based on the preferences you’ve selected. You can update these choices at any time.

No. We never sell personal data to third parties.

You’re always in control. Contact us by phone or email and we’ll make the changes straight away.

Face‑to‑face fundraising allows for real conversations, builds trust, and has proven to be an effective way of securing long‑term support.

The need for support has never been greater. More people are displaced today than at any point since UNHCR was founded in 1950, with numbers rising sharply over the past decade. Most refugees are hosted by neighbouring low‑ and middle‑income countries that are under immense strain.  Regular donations make a critical difference. They enable UNHCR teams to respond immediately when crises occur — providing shelter, food, clean water, and medical care to families arriving at borders in desperate need.  Ongoing support also helps families rebuild their lives. Monthly gifts help fund cash assistance for essentials, access to education for children, and opportunities for adults to gain skills and work towards independence. In short, regular giving helps people survive today and rebuild hope for tomorrow.

Yes. Supporters receive regular updates, including our Journeys newsletter and email communications, showing how donations are making an impact.