Stories tagged London
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“Although being thanked was never our main motivation on some level we did expect gratitude”
A volunteer acknowledges that she expected gratitude from the refugee family that her Group supports. She examines the roots of these expectations and explains how she came to understand her role better once she confronted these expectations.
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“Even if you can do a very small thing, just do it, because it will leave a good impact.”
As well as the physical impact of fasting, Ramadan can have an emotional impact on a family, reminding them of a way of life they have lost, and friends and family they can no longer celebrate with. Community Sponsorship volunteer Abdulrahman tells us more below and suggests how groups can support a refugee family through what can be a lonely time.
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“I really believe that Community Sponsorship has changed the course of my life.”
Sam, a refugee from Syria, arrived in the UK in 2017 through the Community Sponsorship scheme. In this blog he shares his Community Sponsorship story – from being welcomed to the UK to preparing to welcome a new family as a volunteer himself.
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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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“Our duty to our neighbours beyond the UK will still exist when we emerge from this pandemic.”
Jackie McLoughlin, founder of the Sutton Deanery Community Sponsorship Group, was awarded Maundy Money in an 800-year-old tradition which sees people doing outstanding work in their communities recognised by the reigning monarch on Maundy Thursday. Jackie tells us what Community Sponsorship means to her and why she believes that more people should be sponsoring refugees.
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“They have been with us every step of the way”
Ghazala was resettled in London with her husband and their two daughters. She told us how her Community Sponsors have supported her during her first 6 months in the UK, and how she’s giving back to 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.
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“You are creating a story that they will tell for the rest of their lives.”
Abdulrahman is a member of the Waltham Forest Community Sponsorship Partnership group. Here, he tells us how his own experience of coming to the UK has informed and inspired his volunteering.
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Am I having an impact?
With so many different ways to support refugees, it can be difficult to know how you can make the best use of your time. We asked a Community Sponsorship Group member in London what made him choose to give his time and energy to Community Sponsorship.
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Reflections on preparing to welcome a refugee family
Life changing conversations can happen while you are walking your dog! Here Alice from Forest Hill & Sydenham Welcome Refugees tells us how she first got involved Community Sponsorship and shares her experiences of getting to know her group and preparing to welcome their family.
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Why you should rent your property to a refugee family
Renting your property to a refugee family through Community Sponsorship is one of the most significant ways in which you can contribute to resettlement. Here Jo tells us why she would encourage other landlords to do the same and answers some your key questions.
Films
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"If you want to make a change, then you can"
We spoke to Kate from Herne Hill Welcomes Refugees, and she told us about the impact her local Community Sponsorship group has had on her sense of community and encourages others to get involved!