HWR hosts Education Fair for refugees and asylum seekers

Education Fair hosted by HWR

A great example of partnership working to help refugees into education and employment. 
 
Volunteer Alison reports “Over 50 people of 22 nationalities attended, with a 60%/40% split between asylum seekers and refugees came to our Education Fair today. 7 invited organisations  included West Herts College; Community Action Dacorum; South Hill Centre, Steps2Skills; Herts Services for Young People; Employability for Overseas Nationals Programme and the DENS employment team.
 
The stall holders, including Herts Welcomes Refugees, had stands to promote a huge range of ESOL courses, other training, employment advice and wellbeing activities. 
 
Several organisations spoke to between 20 and 50 people, so that's hundreds of conversations that led to at least 60 sign-ups and bookings plus dozens of ideas and flyers for people to follow up on.
 
It was an event with lots of positive energy and much appreciated by all.” 
 






Here are just a few of the positive comments from the organisations that attended. 
​

• "It was a great event, and we were happy to be there."
•  " The atmosphere was positive, and everyone seemed to have a purpose at the event."
•  "It was noticeable to me how people were relaxed, comfortable and smiling. It was a good environment for families to engage."
•  " It was well planned and friendly. I had lots of visitors, both in groups and individually."
•  "It was a buzzing atmosphere."
•  "I was impressed by the interaction I had with HWR volunteers."
• "Please keep us in the loop if you are doing similar events in the future! We'd love to come along."

 
Volunteer Jane says “None of this could happen without the Church who welcome us every week, our amazing childcare team and ALL our volunteers.  Whether you were there last Friday or one of the well-wishers, you'll know that this kind of success is the result of all our work, the relationships we build and the support we give week in, week out.”