Surrey volunteers show solidarity on World Refugee Day

World Refugee Day falls on the 20th of June each year and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.

It looks to emphasise their right to seek safety, build support for their economic and social inclusion, and advocate for solutions.

According to Woking Borough Council, more than 500 Syrian, Ukrainian and Afghan refugees have settled in the area since 2015, having fled conflicts in their home countries.

Elmbridge CAN is a charity set up support refugees living in Surrey.

They aim to establish a welcoming culture to refugees within the local community and run various projects and initiatives.

Jeannie Tweedie, the charity’s co-director, says that World Refugee Day plays an important role in raising awareness:

“I think it's always important to think about the people in our world who are most marginalized, who are amongst those who were struggling the most, and World Refugee Day is about spreading understanding and raising awareness."

Since co-founding Elmbridge CAN in 2016 Jeannie has focused on forging connections between local people, in what is an affluent area, with those whose circumstances are more challenging.

Over the years, she has witnessed many achievements and successes amongst the people she has worked with.

One of Jeannie’s proudest moments has been the development made by members of a community group established for vulnerable children from families who came to Surrey from Syria:

“So these were kids that have never been to school, or maybe they had a little bit of schooling.”

“Through their hard work, but also through the schools and the support of other volunteers, many of them have now been doing A Levels, they've got university places, some of them are volunteering for us, we've got at least one who's on the path to being a dentist!”

Much of the work done by the charity and others like it is reliant on the contributions of volunteers.

In an environment which can sometimes seem to lack empathy, and care and consideration for others, Jeannie feels the charity is having an impact.

“There’s a lot of hostility about in the media and some sectors of politics, but what we experience on a day-to-day basis is a very welcoming local community.”

“We have a lot of wonderful volunteers who help with teaching English, who help to mentor people into employment, and with more practical things like finding donated furniture."

“It's a very wonderful thing to see and be part of, and to welcome newcomers and learn together.”

Marwa Chamout, originally from Syria, arrived in the UK as a refugee seven years ago.

She settled in Woking with her husband and children.

Arriving in a new country with a young family was understandably a daunting process:

“Before coming here, I was scared because I was coming to a new world, a new country.”

“We came to here without knowing anyone, no family, no friends.”

“Everything was different, a different language, a new town, new schools, even the transport was different, but we were excited to get to know a different culture and new places.”

Marwa says that they were initially supported by volunteers who helped them settle in the area.

Their house was decorated, and furniture was donated, turning it into a welcoming family home.

Once their new life was established, one of Marwa’s ambitions was to study at a University in the UK.

She says that volunteers helped her with the application process, improving her CV, completing relevant forms, and even accompanied her to the interviews.

Marwa was then able to independently complete an undergraduate certificate in graphic design and has since found work in the industry.

She says the kindness she and her family received has inspired her:

“Seeing the volunteer help us, from their hearts, giving us lots of warm feelings, that's taught me to also be a volunteer to help others.”

“When I came here I started volunteering, teaching Arabic for other communities, and I'm now ready to volunteer in any way to help other people, just as the volunteers helped us.”

If you are interested in volunteering, or to find out more, visit https://www.elmbridgecan.org.uk/get-involved.html

Or contact Surrey County council via https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/community/refugees/volunteering-to-help-refugees