Welcome to our AGM 2024

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. 
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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. 
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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.