Stories tagged Refugee
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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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“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 feels like my life has started again”
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.
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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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“It's important for me to tell them that people will accept them and they will have freedom here.”
Khadeja and her family were the first family to be welcomed to North Devon by the Pickwell Foundation, almost five years ago. Khadeja now works for the Pickwell Foundation, helping to support other refugee families arriving in the UK through Community Sponsorship. Here she tells us why this job is so important to her.
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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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“They’re like another family now”
Ali is a Palestinian refugee who was born and raised in Lebanon. A trained nurse, he’s come to the UK to work for the NHS. Ali was welcomed to his new home in Doncaster by a group of local people as part of the Neighbours for Newcomers programme for refugee nurses. Here Ali tells us what this opportunity means to him, how his new neighbours have welcomed him, and how he’s learning the Yorkshire accent.
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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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60 seconds with Nour
Nour arrived in the UK as a teenager, having been resettled with his family. Here he tells us about his hopes and fears when he found out he was moving to the UK, and what advice he would give to other teens being resettled.
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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.
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.
