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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“Helping this family has been a big turning point in my life.”
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.
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What it's like being sponsored as a refugee student
Ahmad Alkosani tells us about his experience of being sponsored as a refugee student to Canada, how the World University Service of Canada changed his life and why he is now volunteering so he can have the same transformational impact.
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“Well, now you have sons”
Community Sponsorship volunteer Svenja Powell is one of the founding members of Canterbury Welcomes Refugees. The group first welcomed a Syrian refugee family in 2019: a mother and father, their two grown-up sons and their two primary-age children. Here Svenja tells us about lifting language barriers, a cautious introduction to Father Christmas and doorstep story-telling during lockdown.
Advice
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Preparing for your Home Office Pre-Approval Visit
Once you have submitted your application to the Home Office and it has been checked, they’ll get in touch to schedule your pre-approval visit (PAV). A ‘meeting with the Home Office’ sounds a little intimidating so here are our top tips for getting ready for it.
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How to pass your driving test when you are new to the UK
Abdullah arrived in the UK with only a few words of English. Ten months later, he had passed his theory and practical driving tests giving him vital independence and freedom. Gordon East, founder of CHARIS, set up the Community Sponsorship group which sponsored Abdullah and his family. Here he speaks to him to hear his advice for other refugees.
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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.
Films
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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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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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“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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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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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.
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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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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.