AMERSHAM MAYOR LAUNCHES REFUGEE CHARITY

Amersham, April 27^th 2023
A new local charity, Chiltern Welcomes was launched this evening at an event held at the Beacon School. The organisation which aims to help refugees settle and integrate into the community came about as a personal initiative of the Amersham Town Mayor, Cllr Mark Roberts, who put out a call to local residents following the fall of Kabul in 2021.

Seven trustees from diverse backgrounds and professions have come together to found Chiltern Welcomes, (registered charity 1200328): John and Michele Christensen, Clare Freeman, Barbra Georgellis, Nozomi Okuyama, Lindsey Powell and Mark Roberts.
Mark stated “for me, it’s personal, as a result of my family history. My father was a refugee from Guernsey”. He noted the Chilterns’ long history of welcoming refugees, from the Belgians in WW1, Jews in 1930s and Polish families in WW2. More recently, many local families have also extended their compassion to Ukrainians by hosting them in their homes.

The evening saw two inspiring speakers. Dr Nooralhaq Nasimi MBE, founder of the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association. Dr Nasimi arrived in the UK in 1999 as a refugee in the back of a refrigerated truck. “I love Great Britain so much” he said, speaking of the opportunities he and his family have had, “It’s a place where everyone, regardless of gender, race, colour or religion, can achieve so much and grow so much”. He has been commended for his charitable work and contribution to society in the UK. Little Chalfont resident, Laura Kyrke-Smith spoke of her experience supporting a Syrian family through the Community Sponsorship Programme. “It’s been an extremely rewarding experience,” she said, “watching them thrive”.

Chiltern Welcomes will initially focus on helping refugees under government resettlement schemes who are currently in bridging hotels. More than 8000 Afghans are in temporary accommodation, twenty months on. The government have announced that they will be given three months’ notice from the end of April to leave these hotels, putting many at risk of homelessness.

The charity is looking to raise £20,000 to meet six months’ advance rent to house two families. Once repaid through benefits, the funds will be recycled to help the next. The charity will also support the families to find work and school places through a network of volunteers, with the aim that they become self-sufficient, integrate and contribute to society.

Chiltern Welcomes is registered with the Charities Commission and is run by unpaid volunteers.