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24
Oct 2020
Nidderdale aims to welcome a refugee family
Hopes are high that community collaboration in Nidderdale can see welcoming hands extended to a refugee family.
Organisations created in towns, villages and cities across the UK have successfully taken part in a government-backed scheme to re-settle refugees.
Now Nidderdale Community Welcome is following in their footsteps and learning from their experiences.
Catholic Care Leeds has agreed to be the principal backer of the initiative, which involves churches of different denominations in Nidderdale.
However, the Rev Alastair Ferneley, vicar of Dacre with Hartwith and Darley with Thornthwaite, told the Stray Ferret:
Rev Alastair is part of a group working alongside Peter Wright, a long-time supporter of causes that help refugees.
Peter, who lives in Ramsgill, is organising a public meeting via Zoom on November 18, which will be open to anybody who wishes to become involved in Nidderdale Community Welcome.
At the meeting, Sue Parsons, community sponsorship coordinator for Catholic Care, will explain how community sponsorship works and there will be opportunities for questions.
Peter said:
He added:
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Community sponsorship organisations have to prepare everything that might be needed for families to become self-sufficient members of their new community, as required in detailed plans set out by the Home Office.
This includes safeguarding, learning English, applying for relevant benefits, accessing medical help, schools, transport, finding work, and having support from translators.
To obtain refugee status the families have already been closely vetted, entitling them to the same help and welfare as anyone else living in the UK. The community group needs to raise at least £9,000 to ensure additional needs are met.
The group has to have either charitable status or a partnership with an existing charity, such as Catholic Care Leeds, which takes ultimate responsibility for the agreement with the Home Office and provides experience, governance and safeguarding training and support.
Anybody wanting to take part in the November 18 meeting is asked to contact wrightpandh@gmail.com or ring 01423 755619 for further details.
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