Background
We would like to thank local residents and community groups for all their offers of assistance in helping and supporting Syrian refugees. These web pages aims to provide you with an update about everything Bath & North East Somerset Council is doing on this, local sources of support and what you can to do to help.
What We’re Doing
Our Council has discussed what our area can do to help resettle Syrian refugees twice in recent months. If you are interested in viewing these discussions then you can access them through our Council webcasting portal, as below:
Following the most recent discussion in September, the Council contacted the Home Office and expressed its strong willingness to resettle Syrian refugees in our area through its Syrian Vulnerable Persons’ Resettlement Programme. This programme resettles into the UK those refugees who have high levels of need, as identified by the UNHCR. The Council has also gained the commitment of key local partners to support Syrian refugees to be resettled on our area.
More detailed information is available from on the Government’s Syrian Resettlement Programme.
Five families have been housed within the Bath area and have been here since February 2016.
Update
Our support package for Syrian refugee families will include support services which will help refugees feel welcome in our community. We are making sure that families resettled to our areas get help in settling in. We also need to make sure that we have the capacity both within our area and our public services to sustain this help in the longer term.
We have been working with local organisations to identify how local offers of help and volunteering help can best be harnessed - for example, in providing “welcome boxes” and other support.
Syrian Refugee Resettlement Programme Case study completed by Joan Cooper Connecting Families Keyworker August 2016.
What you can do to help
We also know that many local people wish to contribute.
People who can provide additional housing for refugees can register this on the dedicated Citizens UK website.
Although the Government have said that it is unlikely that people’s spare rooms will be needed to house refugees, the Council does have a separate Supported Lodgings scheme which is for 16-18 year olds who are homeless or leaving care and would benefit from a stable family home whilst developing their independence. This is an excellent and nationally recognised scheme that relies on the generous support of local residents who have a spare room in their home. Extensive support and assistance is provided by the Council and more information on being a provider can be found here.
In addition, many volunteering opportunities can be found through the Council-supported Volunteering Centre.
The British Red Cross also has a Syria Crisis Appeal.
Central government have a website Syrian refugees: What you can do to help
Wish to donate furniture?
The Genesis Trust offer a FREE collection on your unwanted furniture and household items. Call 01225421111 or email furniture@genesistrust.org.uk to discuss your items and arrange a free collection. All items need to be in good condition and comply with health & safety regulations
or an alternative option would be to contact Dorothy House
Any Queries?
To get in touch contact Strategy_Performance@BATHNES.GOV.UK
