News

After a long career in early years education and family support, Carol was ready to make the most of her retirement. Then, very suddenly, her husband Mike became unwell. He was diagnosed with cancer and passed away just six months later. Here Carol shares her memories of that difficult time and describes how volunteering with her local Community Sponsorship group gave her life a new purpose.

Rana is a single mother to two girls. They fled Syria after her daughter’s school was bombed. Two years ago, she was resettled in Liverpool through Community Sponsorship. Here she tells us about the kindness of the people in Liverpool and her ambitions to become a nurse.

We’ve a new update to the info on eVisas.

New cultural info sessions this autumn

Mamoun was resettled in Devon with his wife Amneh and their 5 children after fleeing Syria. He explains the impact that resettlement has had on his family and the joy of reuniting with his brother.

When the Community Sponsorship programme was launched, it enabled people in the UK to sponsor refugees for the first time. Several communities in Devon mobilised really quickly. Back then we were in uncharted territory – the scheme was brand new. But at Devon County Council we quickly recognised that the benefits of Community Sponsorship could be huge – not only for sponsored refugees, but also for the communities themselves.

Kirkby Stephen – or ‘Kirkby’ as it’s known by the locals – is a small, thriving market town on the edge of the Cumbrian Dales. Retired teacher Mike has lived and worked here for 36 years. An outdoors enthusiast who has white-water kayaked all over the world, Mike is currently taking on a new challenge: setting up a Community Sponsorship project. We spoke to Mike about how he and his team have got the whole town on board.

World Book Day Resource

Update on the future of the Homes for Ukraine scheme