Every week is Refugee Week in Gloucestershire
Refugee Week took place 19 – 25 June, however for public and voluntary sector partners every week is for supporting and celebrating refugees and asylum seekers.
Currently, Gloucestershire is committed to resettling 35 Afghan families under the government’s Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP), with 31 families currently resettled in the county. This means adults can get their lives back on track, while their children can flourish in welcoming and supportive local schools. There are also people being offered a safe place to live under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme.
Gloucestershire has welcomed nearly 1500 Ukrainian guests, including more than 300 school-aged children. While some have chosen to move on or go back to Ukraine, others have stayed and settled in the county. Currently there are 356 households hosting Ukrainian guests in Gloucestershire; opening their family homes to welcome those displaced by war.
In addition to those from Ukraine and Afghanistan, a further 89 families (364 people) from Syria have so far been supported to resettle in the county, under the Gloucestershire Refugee Resettlement Programme (GRRP).
Amany’s story
Amany, a teacher and mother of four, moved to Gloucester in 2017. She was a psychology and sociology teacher in her home city, Lattakia in Syria. Se moved to Egypt in 2013; “terrible and tragic” war in Syria had made it impossible to get cancer treatment for her son, Abdul. She stayed in Egypt for five years, teaching in a school however her children couldn’t attend as they didn’t have indefinite leave to remain.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees nominated her and her family to travel to another country to stabilise their living conditions. Through the support of Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers, their family were able to integrate into the Gloucester community.
Amany, said, “As I arrived to UK, everything was difficult for me such as language, social life and lifestyle. GARAS gave us a lot of help in many matters including free English lessons, and I’m very grateful to them. My children were able to get into school, people in the community were also being supportive, especially the Friendship Café. I had to help myself to learn more; I got into college and learnt English, Maths and IT. I did a teaching assistant course so I could work in schools here, and I have completed an interpreters course. I want to help refugee children by translating in therapy sessions. I have started a language teaching course too.”
Amany’s son, Ahmad, is nearly 16 and is an enthusiastic volunteer in Gloucester. Since moving to Gloucester, he has been involved with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and Gloucestershire Constabulary, where chief Rod Hanson asked him to be part of the BAME Community Legitimacy Panel (CLP) at age 13. Ahmad joined the Police Cadet 2019/20 cohort, and in 2021 he supported the Friendship Café’s pandemic bike repair project. In 2022 Ahmad completed a Duke of Edinburgh Silver award and started his riding journey through volunteering at St James City Farm and Riding School.
Ahmad, said, “I am still doing horse riding lessons as I am hoping it will take me somewhere in life, and I’m very grateful for the support of Imran Atcha, who runs the farm. Imran chose me to represent the farm and speak in front of Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, on the Help Out day in the Cathedral. At 15 I was the youngest volunteer there, so I spoke to lots of broadcasters like ITV and BBC. After the interviews, I spoke to Her Royal Highness in person about my riding. I am going to a riding academy in Newmarket in August and I’m very proud of this achievement.”
Cllr Stephan Fifield, cabinet member responsible for refugee resettlement, said, “The contribution refugees have made to Gloucestershire is beyond measure, and should be celebrated. I’m also proud of the supportive and warm welcome refugees and asylum seekers receive in Gloucestershire, and I want to extend my thanks to public sector staff, charities and voluntary organisations which provide vital support for people often fleeing tragic and desperate situations.”
Gloucestershire’s Strategic Migration Partnership
All resettlement schemes are over-seen by the Strategic Migration Partnership, made up of representatives from many of the public sector organisations in Gloucestershire. The partnership works with local charities and aid workers to establish local support as asylum seekers navigate their way to a safer environment to live in. They make sure asylum seekers get access to medical treatment, emotional support, and practical help, such as housing and clothes.
How can you help?
The Homes for Ukraine scheme is always looking for new hosts who are able to share their home with Ukrainian guests. Find out more about becoming a host at on our Homes For Ukraine webpage.
Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers are looking for landlords who would consider renting to a refugee family resettled in Gloucestershire, through the Home Office Resettlement schemes. Find out more about GARAS at www.garas.org.uk