Somerset set to welcome 30 more refugee families

Blood-strewn children are orphaned, hospitals there to help people are bombed, hundreds of thousands left dead or injured and there are no signs of peace on the horizon.

The families, most often from war-torn Syria, are desperately searching for an escape route, to leave the devastation and war behind, and to start a new life.

Some have been granted refuge in the UK but those not lucky enough are desperately attempting to find their way in any way that they can, and have been left in the refugee camp in Calais, otherwise known as The Jungle.

Tensions have been high in the French region for a number of months now, and has resulted in lorry drivers voicing their anger by forming a blockade Calais blockade on Monday, demanding the nearby refugee camp to be closed as some are choosing to put others at risk to gain entry into the UK through the Eurotunnel.

But where does Somerset fit into this?

The county is readying itself to rehome 30 more Syrian families, after already taking in six families in May this year.

Somerset’s five district councils, the county council and Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) supported the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (SVPRS) as the UK Government pledged to settle 20,000 Syrian refugees over a five-year period, including 1,000 in the first group, and sought volunteer councils to offer resettlement.

Six families, including 12 adults and ten children, arrived and were settled into Taunton Deane, Mendip and South Somerset.

The scheme is fully-funded by the government and families were housed in the private rented sector, having no impact on housing waiting lists operated by district councils.

Families were only resettled where the services, such as school places, health and social care, had the capacity to cater for them.

Now, Somerset could be home to 30 Syrian families as the scheme is set to be expanded.

The extension would equate to 120 new refugees in the county over the next three years, according to a council report.

A spokesman for the district councils, county council and Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group said the authorities and the community were keen to help those in need. There is a desire within the county’s communities and local authorities to play a part in the nationwide Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme

He said: “The Home Office minister has asked how many families we could rehome over the next three years and 30 families would be in line with Somerset’s share of the national scheme.

“This is an indication, not a commitment or target. Further resettlement will only take place if and where there is capacity within support services.

“We have learned much from the six families already resettled and this continues our measured approach in line with our regional neighbours.

“The families resettled so far have been hugely grateful and we will continue working closely with the many generous community groups who have played a key role in welcoming them to Somerset.”

County councillor Anna Groskop, cabinet member for HR and transformation, was named as one of the key cabinet members in the report.

She said: “I am happy to sign the new agreement to welcome more families to Somerset as requested by the Home Office.

“We have learnt a great deal from the first experience so feel able to welcome new families without any disadvantage to our residents, for example in schools and housing.”

“I am proud of the partnership with all the district councils who have all helped to make this possible.”

Support for refugees is strong in Taunton. There have been numerous charity events to raise money for the families.

The donation group Refugee Aid From Taunton (RAFT) has just made its 85th shipment to Calais to help out the refugees in just one year.

The group was started in August 2015 by Frederica Smith, and it is now celebrating one year’s service helping those in need.

The group is made up entirely of volunteers that aim to collect any unwanted donations from all over Somerset and surrounding areas, such as clothes, shoes, blankets, tents, food, toiletries and medical equipment.

Melanie Wathen, an organiser for the group, said: “RAFT grew from a very small seed focused on one small aim to an ever-evolving organisation that sends much-needed aid to wherever it’s needed, bringing a local community together and forging links and friendships across the globe.

“It’s been the most rewarding experience I’ve ever been involved in and I’m really proud of all of our achievements and hope we can continue to help as many other people as we can.”

Federica also pointed out the great work Raft does in the local community. She said: “While our main aim is to continue to support refugees, we have developed and supported other local organisation including TAH, open doors, Taunton and Bridgwater food bank, various animal charities, cancer support groups and Greendays.

“We have created an all-inclusive community where we are able to divert surplus donations between local charities and organisations.”

One of the volunteers, Sariqa Wagley, said: “The response from the public has been immense and the volunteers have been dedicated and committed to helping these donations get to the most vulnerable people.

“The volunteers sort these donations, pack them and send them onwards to where they are needed the most. “Over the past year RAFT have sent shipments of varying magnitudes to Greece, France, Syria, Lebanon and Turkey.”

The group will be holding an open day to celebrate its first birthday and its 85th shipment. On Saturday, September 17, RAFT will be hosting the day to allow people to look around the warehouse to get a feel for what the volunteers do.

Pete Stevenson, chairman of West Somerset Intercultural Friendship Group, said: "We will welcome refugee families to Somerset. These frightened people have risked their lives to leave their war torn homes, taking perilous journeys with their children to to seek places of peace.

"We have a history of welcoming dispossessed people to our area. The expulsion of thousands of Asians from Uganda in 1972 is a good example. Many were housed in Watchet which was a great act of human kindness."