Dame Emma is best known as an award-winning actress, but her talents go much further than that. Writer, director, comedian, campaigner, she is a true multi-hyphenate talent.

She has the distinction of having won Oscars both for acting and screenwriting, for Howard’s End and Sense and Sensibility respectively.

In 2005, she combined those talents to make Nanny McPhee, a delightful children’ s film. Dame Emma and the film’s co-star Colin Firth agreed that the proceeds from ticket sales for its West End premiere should go to the Refugee Council.

In previous years she has supported our Day Centre with very generous donations that have allowed us to hold our annual Festive Party for clients. And as well as financial support, Dame Emma has often come along to help in person.

Here’s what Dame Emma said about becoming a patron:

“I am delighted to become a patron of the Refugee Council. I have been a supporter for a number of years and have seen at first hand the great work the Refugee Council does.

Helping out at the Festive Party has given me an opportunity to see how remarkable and resilient asylum seekers and refugees are and how they deserve respect and understanding.

It’s only when we imagine for ourselves what it would be like to run from state terror, torture, rape, the destruction of our homes and families that we can understand how vital it would be to find a place that welcomed us and tried to heal our wounds. Fortunately the Refugee Council provides such a place.”

Our patrons are public figures with influence who support the Refugee Council.

They might show that support by endorsing us publicly and raising our profile with the public and increase our donations.