Dorset Council has resettled a total of 82 Syrian refugees across the county, as part of the national resettlement scheme. We support refugee families with the help of local volunteers and charities.
In March 2020 we welcomed the last family to arrive in Dorset, before all refugee resettlement was suspended as a result of Covid-19. Here’s how we helped the family in the lead up to and during lockdown.
When the family arrived, generous donations from a local charity and volunteers meant their home was ready with all the essentials they needed. The charity International Care Network (ICN) met the family to set up their bank accounts, supply them with groceries and register them with essential services. Local volunteers helped to welcome the family to their new community, the children were enrolled at the local school and the parents started English lessons.
It was at this time the nationwide lockdown began. Schools closed, lessons stopped, and all non-essential contact became impossible. We needed to make sure the family continued to be informed and reassured throughout. To support the family at this difficult time we:
- completed regular welfare checks
- explained the health guidance and new government rules, providing information in English and Arabic to help their understanding
- put them in contact with a member of staff at Dorset Council to answer any concerns or queries
- supplied a mobile phone using Home Office funding and a laptop, as part of a wider council project to provide IT equipment to vulnerable children
The family’s English teacher developed an entirely new English learning programme to deliver online, so they were able to continue lessons each week. ICN also continued their support by phone and WhatsApp to ensure the family had access to money, food and essentials.
The local community have shown generosity throughout this time donating stationary, books and goods for the family. The local school has been amazing, providing dual language books and other materials for the children to continue their learning at home.
Finally, we had the great pleasure of delivering gift packs with donated toys to all the refugee families in Dorset. It was wonderful to spread some cheer during lockdown and see the children’s smiling faces during our deliveries.
As lockdown eases, we’ve resumed visits to this family to help them feel less isolated and to help them progress with their new life in the UK.
Despite the family arriving in a new country shortly before the lockdown, they remained in good spirits. On a recent visit the family expressed they’re keen to work and get more involved in their local community, as soon as it’s possible to do so.
Would you like to get involved, or make a donation?
Due to coronavirus our Volunteer Centre are not recruiting at the moment. However, if you’re an English teacher, or you speak Arabic and are interested in helping, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator: o.steven@volunteeringdorset.org.uk
Find out about more ways to get involved and make a donation.
This programme shows us that humanity is a wonderful blessing – my best wishes to all our new residents
I have a large, round pine table going for free if that would help a family.
How do I get involved?
Thank you Patricia! At the moment we aren’t taking donations for the Dorset resettlement scheme, but we really appreciate your kind offer. You can find more information about how you can get involved or donate to national organisations here.
You do not say how we as individuals can help.
Hi Alan, thanks for raising this. I’ve updated the article with details on how to get involved or make a donation.
lovely to read something so positive and heartwarming! well done dorset council and all the lovely people who are helping this family and others like them and wish them all peace and happiness in their new lives.
So good to read about Dorset playing its part in resettling refugee families in this country. Well done to everyone involved.
Please note I have lots of spare art materials and clothing if needed!
Thank you Gordon, at the moment we aren’t taking donations for the Dorset resettlement scheme, but we really appreciate your kind offer. Local charities or children’s centres might be interested, we’d recommend contacting them to check due to the current situation.
You can find more information about how you can help with the resettlement scheme or donate to national organisations here
This is fabulous! I had no idea that Dorset was host to 82 refugee families. We need good news stories like this on the NEWS! I am so pleased to know about this. Is there somewhere online to find out about making donations?
Thank you Sandra! At the moment we aren’t taking donations for the Dorset resettlement scheme, but you can find out how to make a donation to national organisations helping with this cause here.
It is great to hear of such practical kindness on the part of those helping, as well as the courage of the refugees -congratulations and blessings all round,
and more power to the elbows concerned