Council staff help provide gifts for refugee and asylum-seeking children this Christmas

Council staff, with the help of staff from Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB), have shown their generosity by providing 120 gifts.

It comes after more than 150 being provided in 2023.

The gifts provide an opportunity to make a real difference to the children and young people that have been welcomed into Gloucestershire. 

There are currently over 400 refugee and asylum-seeking children living in the county. They have been forced to flee their home countries due to tragic circumstances and have travelled to the UK where the people of Gloucestershire have welcomed them.

These children have been through some very tough times, living in temporary settings, away from family and friends, and facing months or years of uncertainty. Giving them a small gift to open at Christmas is always appreciated and will bring a smile to their faces.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Cabinet member for public health at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “I am proud of the way the people of Gloucestershire have welcomed refugees and asylum seekers into our community.

“I’m delighted that our staff have once again be supported this initiative by adding a gift for a refugee or asylum-seeking child to their basket when they do their Christmas shopping this year.”