REFUGEES WELCOME
Who Are We?
When the body of little Aylan Kurdi was found washed up on a Turkish beach on 15 September 2015 a cry of despair rang out around the world. The innocence of this tiny child, brutalised by a war he had no part in, brought home to many the true suffering of the Syrian people. This was the motivation for a like minded body of people in the peaceful suburbs of leafy Cheshire East to lobby their local council to accept the challenge of national government in finding homes for families fleeing the conflict. In the months that followed, Refugees Welcome (Cheshire East) was founded as an NGO charity working closely with local government officials.
Over the last seven years we have been able to find accommodation for several Syrian families as well as supporting and advising our Afghan Families, plus our Ukraine hosts and their guests.
None of this work would have been possible without your support and with the continued growth in refugees through reasons of economic, famine persecution and war, which is increasing in the world day by day, our job is far from done.
Background By: Ahmed Akacha
pexels.com
Please get involved by supporting those escaping war, persecution, hunger and economic situations. You can help by donating to our general funds or by giving to one of our projects below. Or you could become a volunteer by filling out a Volunteer Application form and returning it to us at Refugees Welcome.
Thank you for your support and for visiting us at our website
The Trustees.
What we do and where
In the wake of the Syrian civil war millions of people were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in foreign countries. While tens of thousands of displaced refugees sort to make their way to safety in Western Europe, many hundreds of thousands of their fellow countrymen ended up sheltering in camps hurriedly put together by the UN (United Nations).
The British Government under its VPRS (Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme) made preparations to resettle some of the most vulnerable people from the refugee camps under the recommendation of the UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees). Refugees Welcome was able to help our Local Council to initially resettle five Syrian families by acquiring and furnishing homes in the Macclesfield and Congleton area of Cheshire East.
Refugees Welcome also raises funds to fully finance the resettlement of Syrian refugees under the governments "Community Sponsorship Scheme." This scheme, set up in 2016, differs considerably from the VPRS. UNHCR and HM Home Office are still involved in identifying the vulnerability and refugee status of families. However, their housing needs, social care and educational requirements, to help them integrate into our local communities, is fully administered by Refugees Welcome. Through this scheme Refugees Welcome has been able to resettle families in the Nantwich and Alsager area of Cheshire East. We are always looking for new opportunities to resettle more refugee families.
In 2021 allied forces began a structured withdrew from Afghanistan. However, the speed of the Taliban advance caused chaos as those who were involved in helping the allies fought to get out of the country. According to UK government figures over 15,000 Afghan nationals arrived during operation Pitting and a further 7,000 have arrived since (Data produced December 2022).
Together with Cheshire East Council, Refugees Welcome has been able to offer a full package of support helping Afghan's seeking refuge in our local area. As they have transitioned from hotel to homes we have organised friendship support, helping with cultural integration, education, health and finance. We also offer support with ESOL training and have been on hand to advice in many other areas of daily living.
In February 2022, Russian forces invaded Ukraine destroying homes and infrastructure, killing hundreds of innocent people and displacing thousands more. Western European countries were quick to extend the hand of friendship and compassion by opening their borders to give refuge to those escaping the conflict. Many of them women and children suffering the trauma of being separated from their husbands and extended families. In response the UK government set up the "Homes for Ukraine Scheme," giving financial support to those people offering a home to a Ukraine family.
Refugees Welcome has been supporting Ukraine guests and their hosts through the organisation of community café hubs. We also offer ESOL training, friendship groups and help with applications for jobs, doctors, dentists, schools and much more as is required.
Donation Disclaimer
Refugees Welcome ensures that all moneys raised for and in conjunction with a specified campaign is reserved for the sole use of that campaign or purpose. However, should a campaign become over subscribed ("Surplus Failure") or underfunded ("Initial Failure") the trustees of Refugees Welcome reserve the right to divert such surplus funds from a failed campaign to other causes within our project. This option is to prevent donations from becoming stagnated or unusable.
If you have any questions about the way we hold or use your donations please contact us via email through our contact page.
Charity No: 1169909
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