CHARIS, in association with Somerset County Council, is establishing Welcome Hubs for refugees, asylum seekers and their sponsors across Somerset.

 

Aims of the Welcome Hubs

  1. Assist and empower refugees, asylum seekers and Ukrainian guests to become independent and integrate into their local, and wider, communities

  2. Enable refugees, asylum seekers and Ukrainian guests to access both statutory and community services in their local communities

  3. Support the sponsors through their relationship with their guests

  4. Provide a pathway for local volunteers and community groups to support and befriend displaced people in Somerset

Welcome Hub locations

Click on locations for details.

 

Welcome Hubs Programme Manager

Alex Melbourne
CHARIS Refugees
16/17 Hammet Street
Taunton
TA1 1RZ

AlexMelbourne@charisrefugees.org
07719 747485

 

SCC Resettlement Workers

Somerset West and Taunton
Alison Forshaw

South Somerset
Sarah Berry
(also covering Mendip)

Sedgemoor
Julie Gilfoyle

To contact resettlement workers, please email homesforukraine@somerset.gov.uk

 

The hubs provide a variety of services, depending on the particular needs in each location.

These may include:

  • Welcome area and information point

  • Signposting to relevant local services, organisations, statutory services, events and activities where already available

  • English conversation cafes, informal assistance with English and access to ESOL volunteers

  • Formal English classes and teaching if not available locally

  • Safe space for a chat and a coffee

  • Work with DWP to provide access to benefits support and guidance

  • UK culture and lifestyle training and advice

  • Social events and activities, particularly for specific groups e.g. mothers, homework clubs etc

  • Support for other lifestyle administrative tasks

  • Preparing for employment and finding work experience and voluntary roles

  • Help with budgeting, bank accounts and how money works in UK

  • Working with Public Health services to provide mental health and wellbeing workshops/services for different groups

 
 
 
Welcome Hubs