A message from Enfield Refugees Welcome:
It’s time to get ready to celebrate Refugee Week! Refugee Week is a nationwide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK, and encourages a better understanding between communities. Anyone can get involved by organising or attending one of the events. This year it runs from the 19-25 June.
Would you like to organise something as part of Enfield Refugee Welcome? This can be as simple as hosting a meal or a picnic and inviting civic leaders. Last year we presented a Refugee Welcome award to a local GP for her work with refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos; this was covered by the Enfield Independent. Perhaps there is someone you know who has made a difference to the lives of refugees who you would like to award? There are a lot of resources and information available on: http://refugeeweek.org.uk/getinvolved/
There are also lots of great events. Some that might be of interest are:
- refugeeweek.org.uk/events/syrian-refugee-community-iftar
- refugeeweek.org.uk/events/people-people-stories-connect-us
- refugeeweek.org.uk/events/world-refugee-day-short-film-screening-home-two-films-qa
- refugeeweek.org.uk/events/living-library
Let us know if you are going to one of these and would like to meet up with other Enfield Refugee Welcome supporters.
If you decide to organize an event, no matter how big or small, let us know so that we can advertise it on the website, or post a notice on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/enfieldrefugeeswelcome
Who are Enfield Refugees Welcome?
Enfield Refugees Welcome Group formed as a response to the Syrian refugee crisis. We are a group of Enfield Citizens who want to make sure that Enfield is a welcoming and supportive place for vulnerable refugees. We are a diverse group - with lawyers, teachers, charity workers, childcare experts, retired and committed individuals who just want to make a difference.
We have gained Home Office approval as community sponsors and have secured housing, funds, ESOL, a community welcome plan and other aspects of resettlement in order to settle (initially one) family of Syrian refugees. We are now raising funds for our second family. We are working with relevant local organisations such as schools, colleges, health providers, churches, mosques and private landlords to provide these refugees with the support they need to integrate successfully into our community. We are supported by Citizen UK’s national refugee welcome programme: www.refugees-welcome.org.uk
Caritas, a Westminster Diocese charity supporting social action, is our charity partner, (a Home Office requirement).
The Community Sponsorship Scheme has just been launched in the UK, having run very successfully in Canada for over forty years. We are one of the first groups in the UK to resettle a family under the community sponsorship model.
The support and enthusiasm shown by local people has been tremendous and is testimony to the generosity and compassion of Enfield residents.
