AGM 2022

For many who attended Herts Welcomes Refugees’ sixth AGM, the highlight was hearing the stories of our refugee and asylum seeker partners.


One resettled mother from Syria described the opportunities she’d found as a woman in the UK. After attending college and learning English, she has continued to tackle new challenges. She said, "I started to learn to drive. It was really hard but not impossible so I kept trying until I passed my driving test. I was so happy."


A paediatrician who fled Afghanistan with his family described how he has been studying for the UK medical exams with the help of a HWR befriender. He said, "Since the day of our arrival, we’ve seen Herts Welcomes welcoming us at the hotel. We really appreciate their hard work.” He stated that after he passes his medical exams, he’d like to volunteer to support other refugees by continuing to work with our organisation.


An asylum seeker who has been living in a hostel described the conditions that families face there. She said, "The main challenge is there’s no place for the families to communicate. No dining hall. Just a corridor and the stairs we have.” She also explained that she’s worked with HWR to get asylum seeker children and teenagers into schools, and to provide them with school uniforms and shoes.


An Afghan refugee who has spent 7 months in a Hertfordshire hotel with his family spoke on the issue of housing. “Life here in the hotel, it’s completely different and we’re still looking to get some accommodation. We don’t complain because we have the doctor coming here, the English tuition here. But home is home which is why we hope to get some housing soon.”


Our patron, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire Robert Voss CBE, commended us for our work. He stated, “This was a very small organisation when they started but what has happened in the last 12 months particularly has put them at the forefront of welcoming refugees locally.”


Chair Irene Austin described the challenge of supporting 400 people over the previous year. She explained that our volunteer network has grown, and noted that with the coming challenges of the Ukraine crisis our team will need to continue growing and to adapt our ways of working.


Outgoing treasurer Mala recounted how we’d helped to pay for driving lessons, household goods, school uniforms, vital expenses, clothes and groceries, school uniforms, chromebooks and other educational needs for refugees. An educational fund has been used to pay for exams, children’s swimming lessons and out-of-school outings.


Finally, one of our newer volunteers described the positive relationship she’d developed with the woman she’s helping to learn English. She explained how she’s enjoyed her friendship, and has also started helping other refugees to prepare for their driving tests.


Although the meeting was held remotely, our sixth AGM offered an intimate look into the lives of refugees living in Hertfordshire -- and an inspiring overview of the work of our charity.