IMPACT 2023

Introduction

I am delighted to welcome you to our annual Impact Report for 2023.

When a group of local volunteers from 3 churches in Taunton set out to welcome one refugee family from Syria into their local community 8 years ago, we had no idea what God had in store for us. Neither did we realise how much the world would change over this time and cause people from many different nations to flee war, conflict and persecution.

This report does not tell the whole story of these past 8 years, or indeed of 2023, yet it shows in a snapshot what can happen when you offer your time, energy and commitment to help and support the most vulnerable. We have seen the impossible become reality and I am immensely grateful and proud of our amazing volunteers, staff and partner organisations that ceaselessly make this happen day after day.

Thank you all!

Gordon East, Co-founder and CEO

Taunton Welcome Centre

Over 4,200 people visited our Welcome Centre in Taunton during 2023 where we continued to provide a broad spectrum of services and support, including English language tuition, benefits and welfare support, budgeting support, employment assistance, social activities, welfare checks, mental health support, medical advice, art and craft sessions, and more.

CHARIS continued to manage a programme of five other Welcome Hubs across Somerset for refugees and asylum seekers in Bridgwater, Yeovil, Wells. Frome and Watchet.

These hubs operate under a contract from the local authority and provide a welcoming and safe space for refugees and asylum seekers.

Community Sponsorship

CHARIS has continued its programme of resettling vulnerable refugee families through the UK Government’s Community Sponsorship scheme. In 2023, we supported the resettlement of two new families in Somerset under the UK Resettlement Scheme, whilst continuing the support of existing families across the South-West.

Asylum Seekers

Our work with asylum seekers continued to grow significantly in 2023 with the arrival of increased numbers in Somerset. CHARIS supports individuals and families from over 30 nationalities resident within Taunton and the surrounding area who have been placed in hotels or dispersed accommodation.

Working with local community organisations and partners, our focus is to help them with English, various wellbeing activities, volunteering opportunities, bicycles, cooking, art and sports activities.

We have developed our work with Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children over this period, providing sports, music and other wellbeing activities.

Using our Voice

CHARIS uses its voice and experience locally, regionally and nationally to improve refugee resettlement in the community and support for asylum seekers.

CHARIS is a member of the Community Sponsorship Alliance and many forums that share experience, best practice and training.

Volunteers

CHARIS continued to be reliant on a growing number of volunteers to make our work possible. Many key roles were undertaken.

As CHARIS reflects at the end of 2023, it has been a privilege to be a part of the response to new refugee and asylum challenges.

Each day, CHARIS sees the real transformation of vulnerable refugee families, individuals and all those displaced, the volunteers that work with them and significantly the communities in which they are resettled.

Funders

We are grateful to every individual and organisation that supports CHARIS financially, by donating gifts in kind, or giving of their time and energy.

Here is a list of the main organisations who supported us in 2023

Somerset Council

National Lottery Community Fund

Youth Music- Trailblazer Fund

Garfield Weston Foundation

Somerset Community Foundation

Fairfield Charitable Trust

Open Mental Health- Innovation Fund

SASP - Together Fund

National Grid Community Matters Fund

Benefact Trust

Norman Fowler Charitable Trust