Stories tagged Refugee
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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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“I was completely shocked as it was raining in the summer.”
Khalid had been offered the opportunity to resettle in America and in Canada but he had declined both, so keen was he to be able to return home to Syria. His children had been so disappointed that when he received a third phone call he didn’t even wait for the caller to finish their sentence before saying ‘yes we will travel’. Here he talks to us about his fears before travel, the warm welcome and how Cardiff now feels like home.
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“I’ll never be able to put into words just how happy I was in that moment at the airport.”
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.
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“It was the first time we ever saw something like this.”
Amira, Rashed and their three daughters arrived in Northern Ireland in September 2019, where they were welcomed by the Small World Community Sponsorship group. With Christmas just a couple of weeks away we thought we would talk to Amira about her first Christmas in the UK. She shares her surprise at her daughters’ star turns and why she thinks getting involved in each other’s festivities is so important.
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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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“When I needed help, there were people to help me.”
Rawasia’s school in Syria was bombed. Now she’s studying at school in Liverpool. She told us all about how the people in Liverpool have helped her, and about her big plans for the future.
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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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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.
Films
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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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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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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.
In the media
More media coverage-
June 15th, 2021
The Cambridgeshire town that bought a Syrian refugee family a home
We met with one incredible town to learn why they bought a Syrian family their own home.
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June 13th, 2021
Appeal to Scots to form community groups
The first Syrian family brought to Scotland have appealed to Scots to welcome more refugee families.
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October 25th, 2020
“Scotland is our second home”
Basma Hamadeh and her family were welcome to Edinburgh by Scotland’s first Community Sponsorship group.
