Coming up to Refugee Week we are so pleased that there has been media interest about the Visions of Home display at St Albans Museum + Gallery throughout June.

Take a look at some of these, and do call in to the Museum + Gallery over the next couple of weeks. You can also see the digital display at this link.
With thanks to all the contributors and volunteers who work with them.

BBC News - Herts Beds and Bucks

Herts Ad article  

Today we hear from Alison, from our Dacorum Area Team, about what happens when asylum seekers are given Leave to Remain.
 
“Herts Welcomes Refugees is a volunteer-led local charity, able to respond very quickly to changing needs on the ground. The opening of Home Office accommodation for asylum seekers across the County towards the end of 2021 presented many fresh  challenges. Our volunteer team grew and evolved to support vulnerable asylum seekers living in difficult conditions for months on end while continuing to support refugees whose numbers have increased significantly over the same period..
 
The last six months have seen another big change in the demands on our Charity as the Home Office increased its decision rate and fast-tracked applications from a small number of countries. This has led to a surge in the number of asylum seekers getting Leave To Remain. The euphoria of a positive decision is replaced very quickly by fear and anxiety as the new refugees try to open a bank account, make sure their documents are in order, sign up for Universal Credit, find somewhere to live and start to look for employment. This all needs to be done within 30 days – the typical eviction period from  Home Office accommodation. An impossible timeframe which puts enormous pressure on our resources and those of the local authorities in whose areas the asylum seekers have been housed.
 
This process is called ‘Positive Move On’ – but sometimes it is difficult to see the positive side. So what does this mean for the support offered by Herts Welcomes Refugees?
 
We are now becoming more expert on getting errors on BRPs (Biometric Residency Permits) corrected, knowing when to request an extension of Asylum Support and understanding the critical path in the paperwork. Navigating our way around different departments in the Home Office and Migrant Help, and working intensively with colleagues from other agencies. The number of volunteers actively involved in supporting on issues relating to positive move ons in Dacorum has increased from 2 to 7. HWR shares learning and knowledge across the County.
 
We are working closely with colleagues in the County and Borough Councils to try to help people find solutions in a very difficult housing market. There are many reports in the National Media about homelessness amongst new refugees and we know that, sadly, some single refugees leaving Home Office accommodation in Hertfordshire have become street homeless. However, we work closely with our Dacorum Council colleagues and support them in running a housing clinic as part of one of our weekly drop-ins. Refugees come to discuss their housing options and sign up for assistance. To date, more than 40 single refugees have found housing in the private rental sector locally. It is very pleasing that local landlords have reported very positively about their new tenants – changing hearts and minds one household at a time.
 
We have branched out into house removals! Much of the accommodation has only minimal furniture – in fact families will often move into accommodation that is completely empty - so teams of volunteers have collected and re-distributed all sorts of household items.  These include beds, desks, tables, chairs, sofas, bedside cabinets, wardrobes, coffee tables,  chests of drawers, bedding, kitchen equipment and much more besides.
We also help refugees apply to other local Charities whose charitable aims include providing white goods and other larger household items.
 
This support has been particularly challenging given the physical nature of the work, although Jane from the Dacorum Area Convenor Team comments that ‘The recipients all pitch in to help with unloading and we are impressed to see the efforts they are making to make their new accommodation comfortable. ‘

There continue to be many challenges in the positive move on process across Hertfordshire and this is putting a lot of emotional and physical pressure on organisations supporting refugees. However, there is also great joy in supporting people who have endured so much hardship and are finally able to call somewhere ‘home’."
 
Area Convenor Kate reports:  “We are very lucky to have funding for a storage unit which allows us to accept donated goods and keep them until needed. We are very grateful to everyone who has donated goods and supported with their time and effort.  Most things are sourced from donations but we are buying some goods and sometimes we do need to hire a man with a van to move bulky items.  Trying to deal with so many moves in a short period is not something we could have anticipated and puts additional pressure on our funds."
 
So if you can help us to carry on doing this, please donate to https://www.hertswelcomes.org.uk/donate.html
 
The photos below showcase some of our work in this area:

We are so excited to tell you about this display where refugees we work with tell us about their visions of home, in their own words and images.  Find out why they had to flee their homes, and what we can all do to help.

See more, including the digital display at Refugee Week 2024

Do come and visit the St Albans Museum + Gallery during June.

We are so grateful that volunteers Beth Lamyman and Thanushan Aravinthan, professional photographers/videographers from Neighbour's Pool Productions, took these fab photos from our AGM.  Here you can see our Patron, Robert Voss, HM Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, the Mayor of St Albans, Anthony Rowlands, our Chair Irene Austin, and Treasurer Adrian Ball.  Below you can see our Trustee John Borton introducing some members of our wonderful Advisory Board.

​At Herts Welcomes Refugees we are dismayed that this cruel bill has now passed into law and are concerned for the safety of vulnerable asylum seekers who could be forcibly deported.

We join our voices with The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants - you can sign their form here:  ​jointcouncilforthewelfareofimmigrants.beaconforms.com/form/ee3d4d40

You can also sign up with the Refugee Council at act.refugeecouncil.org.uk/campaign/join-campaign-fair-and-humane-asylum-system

Together with Refugees is a coalition of charities and has a Fair Begins Here campaign. 

​Many other charities and human rights groups are also working to help those faced with deportation notices.

Our charity welcomes and supports refugees in Hertfordshire.  To feel you are making a difference locally, get in touch with [email protected] - we would love to hear from you!

At our AGM last year we were pleased to interview a young Iranian boy, 11 year old Arad. 

This year at our AGM we were delighted that Arad and his family could attend again.  You can see Arad pictured here with his parents and younger brother, along with their volunteer Alison and supporter Richard.

Their situation has changed and they have happily just been given leave to remain in the UK.  This is great news but brings its own problems as the family now faces eviction from the asylum seeker accommodation they were living in without having more secure accommodation to move in to. 

At the AGM Arad and Alison performed a rap that Arad wrote.  He speaks multiple languages but this is in excellent English!  We are so pleased Arad has given permission for us to reproduce his rap here, giving us an insight into his view of the world and the challenges he faces.

(Verse 1)
I'm just a 13-year-old, tryna make my way
In this new country, where dreams come to play
Came here for a future, a chance to shine bright
But sometimes it feels like I'm stuck in the fight
 
(Chorus)
Tired of this, I wanna be equal
Chasing my dreams, no matter how steep the sequel
I'm just a kid, but I got big plans
Gonna show the world, I'm in command
 
(Verse 2)
I hustle every day, grindin' through the pain
Learning new languages, expanding my brain
I came here for a reason, to make a better life
No matter the obstacles, I'll conquer the strife
 
(Chorus)
Tired of this, I wanna be equal
Chasing my dreams, no matter how steep the sequel
I'm just a kid, but I got big plans
Gonna show the world, I'm in command
 
(Bridge)
No matter where I'm from, or the colour of my skin
I deserve a chance, let the journey begin
I'll rise above the hate, spread love and peace
A 13-year-old boy, aiming for release
 
(Chorus)
Tired of this, I wanna be equal
Chasing my dreams, no matter how steep the sequel
I'm just a kid, but I got big plans
Gonna show the world, I'm in command
 
(Outro)
So here's to the future, a world that's fair
Where every 13-year-old can breathe the same air
Keep fighting for your dreams, never lose sight
You're destined for greatness, my friend, that's right!
 
Hope this rap speaks to your journey and desire for equality, bro!
Keep hustlin' and chasing those dreams.
 

What an evening!  At last night’s AGM attended by over 100 people we heard moving words from our patron, the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, who reminded us of the diversity of Hertfordshire, saying “Thank you to all our refugee friends for bringing their cultures here, and for all the volunteers at Herts Welcomes Refugees.”  We also heard from the Worshipful Mayor of St Albans, Anthony Rowlands and our Chair Irene Austin. 
​
Irene talked about the challenges facing asylum seekers as they are given leave to remain and then face the reality of having only 28 days to find jobs and accommodation.

Most inspiring were the refugee voices themselves, including a rap from a thirteen year old Iranian boy who speaks multiple languages, members of our inspiring Advisory Board, and Aaron, a graphic artist from Honduras whose beautiful work we saw displayed, explained that far from coming here to take people’s jobs he and his family had fled for their lives. 
​
We were delighted to see so many friends and supporters at the AGM and there was a display of fantastic art work by asylum seekers in local hotels along with delicious food prepared by some of the refugees.  A truly inspirational evening. 

It is lovely to see that Veronica has been recognised as a Local Hero in the Caring category.  Veronica has volunteered for Herts Welcomes Refugees for many years, working tirelessly to support asylum seeker and refugee families settle into their new life in North Herts.

Read more about the awards and another chance to watch the video at this link:  ​https://www.north-herts.gov.uk/heroes-crowned-and-money-raised-chairs-civic-event-year?

Two years since the invasion of Ukraine, our hearts go out to all those affected, especially the brave refugees who have moved to Hertfordshire.  We are full of admiration for their courage, and grateful to all those hosting and supporting them.

On Sunday February 25th, a very moving Peace Vigil in the centre of Welwyn Garden City was arranged by Local Councillor Michal Siewniak and the local Interfaith group.

Councillor Siewniak said in his opening comments that this vigil would not change anything but, at a time when there are so many conflicts, it is important for people to come together and reflect on the subject of Peace.

There were readings from 7 different faith groups - Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Bahai, Catholic, Anglican and Quaker.

The Quaker contribution was read by HWR Trustee Vicky Woodcraft, reflecting on the fact that Peace begins in our own lives and must be built, not imposed.

More than 40 people attended, including the Mayor, Councillor Pankit Shah who read from Hindu scripture, and some of the Ukrainian refugees living in the area.

​