Stories
We’ve collected profiles, Q&As, first-person accounts, in-depth features, top tips and films from across the UK’s Community Sponsorship activities.
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Experience
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It seemed like a perfect fit!
Ripon City of Sanctuary decided in March 2021 to set up a Community Sponsorship group so that they could welcome a refugee family to their city. Ruth Foulds, who is leading the group, explains why they decided to sponsor a refugee family and how they got the group off the ground.
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“It is quite remarkable that they have put their roots in the ground now.”
Qaiser Malik is a founding member of the multifaith Redbridge Community Sponsorship Partnership. The group welcomed a Syrian family to London back in 2019. Here, Qaiser shares his memories of their arrival and tells us how they’ve settled into the community.
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“We were one unit, one spirit, one humanity.”
In 2017, people from different faith groups across Redbridge* were brought together by one goal: they all wanted to help a Syrian family find safety in the UK. They became The Redbridge Community Sponsorship Partnership and, in June 2019, they welcomed a refugee family to their borough. Here, we talk to Qaiser Malik from South Woodford Mosque and Pete Southern from Wanstead Quakers about how the group came together.
Advice
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How to support a refugee child to adapt to school
Ellie is a member of two Community Sponsorship Groups in Cornwall and has more than 20 years' experience in education. Here she shares her top tips on helping children adapt to education in the UK.
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How to use social media to raise awareness of Community Sponsorship
Social media can feel like an intimidating place sometimes but it’s actually a wonderful way to connect with other people who want to welcome refugees and inspire others to get involved.
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“Spread the word, never give up, and follow up on any lead”
Catherine’s Community Sponsorship group in North Wales, Croeso Menai, have had so much support from their community that they were able to furnish the family’s home for free and have now been offered a second property so that they can welcome another family to the area in the coming months. Here Catherine shares her top tips for finding and preparing a home.
Films
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Dreams Come True in Manchester
In 2018, Noura, Sakeer and their family arrived in Manchester, after living in harsh conditions in Lebanon. UNHCR introduced the family to St. Michael & St. Bernadette’s, a community sponsorship group which welcomed the family into their community. The family have quickly settled into the community, becoming close friends with the group members.
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Making the world a better place through resettling refugees
"I am much more confident that the world will be a better place - soon!" Marian McNichol from the Settle Refugee Group talks about the makeup of their group and how knowing the support there is for refugee resettlement in Settle makes her proud of her community and hopeful for the future.
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“They push me so I can stand without help”
In 2017, Syrian refugees Hani, Amneh and their two children were welcomed to a new life in Ottery St Mary, Devon, thanks to Abide, a Community Sponsor group in Devon.
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Advice for landlords with houses to rent
Hear from landlords Jo and Ingrid about why they'd recommend renting to refugees to every landlord and find out what support exists for you if you have a property to rent.
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A Warm Devon Welcome
Meet some of the Community Sponsorship groups who with the support of Lead Sponsor, The Pickwell Foundation, are welcoming families to Devon. Hear about impact welcoming refugees is having on them and their communities.
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“It has brought us closer together.”
Iman Khan from Kettering Refugee Assistance tells us about why he got involved in Community Sponsorship and the impact that it's had on his community.
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Join a Community Sponsorship Group
In every region of the UK, there are Groups that are preparing to welcome refugees to their local areas through Community Sponsorship. If someone in your local area has already started a Community Sponsorship Group, we can put you in touch. If no one has started a Group in your local area yet, maybe you could be that person?
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Coming Home to Wales
In 2018, Mohanad and his family arrived in Wales, after fleeing the war in Syria and living in harsh conditions in Lebanon. Croesco Teifi, a community sponsor group in Wales, made this possible. This year the group welcomed a second Syrian family, Ahmed and his family, into the community.
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Introducing Community Sponsorship
Community Sponsorship enables people across the UK to transform the lives of vulnerable refugee families by welcoming them into their local communities and supporting them as they rebuild their lives in safety. Find out more in this video.
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How does Community Sponsorship Work?
This animation tells you a little bit more about how Community Sponsorship works and the practical things you will get involved with if you become a volunteer.