Harrogate councillor thanks residents for welcoming new Afghan families

Four families have arrived in the district with hopes of three more arriving in the next few weeks

Four families from the war-torn country could also be helped to settle in the borough permanently
Author: Natalie HigginsPublished 3rd Sep 2021

A Harrogate councillor has thanked residents for making the new Afghan families feel welcome after arriving into the district.

The families fled their home countries because due to the serious threat from the Taliban.

One family has been placed in Knaresborough with the three others in Harrogate.

Cllr Mike Chambers, said: "These people who have had an extremely difficult time need to know that they are welcome and that we are doing everything we can to help them settle in.

"People have been giving them a general feel of how life is living in this country and I've heard that the family placed in Bilton have already been involved in football matches and having a kick about with other children.

"People have been going up to them and told them how welcome they are and that's brilliant. It is really making them feel included in the community as best as they can."

It's hoped that another three families will be brought to the district in the next few weeks.

Cllr Chambers, added: "We're hoping to invite another three families to settle in the district and then we will look at how we might be able to help even further as the government's programme unfolds.

"We have a record for doing this well and have helped the Syrian families in previous years who are now part of our community and we hope to do the same with more Afghan families."

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