Community Sponsorship Group Member - Communities for Afghans

We are looking for volunteers who are interested in forming a local sponsorship group to welcome a displaced Afghan family to Bradford. Could you help?

Communities for Afghans is a community sponsorship project in which ordinary people come together to welcome families who have been displaced after supporting British Forces in Afghanistan. Today, many of those brave men and women remain inside Afghanistan, in a precarious neighbouring country or in temporary accommodation.

Once set up, a sponsorship group can enable the direct relocation of a family to their local area. The group then supports the family with the essential, everyday tasks associated with settling into a new country and city: volunteers could be supporting the family to find suitable housing, arrange appointments and register for services, as well as welcoming them on arrival and helping them to build connections and a sense of belonging here in Bradford.

Some sponsorship groups might consist of volunteers from community or faith organisations, while others are made up of friends or neighbours who want to directly help those in need of safety.

Volunteers must be 18+, UK citizens (or have settled status), and be ready to meet the challenges of helping a displaced family settle into unfamiliar surroundings. A minimum of six volunteers is needed to create a group, which will then receive extensive support, guidance and training from the Refugee Council throughout the project. There is no requirement for sponsorship groups to fundraise to resettle families; costs are covered by the project.

The Communities for Afghans project enables ordinary people to take extraordinary action. Be part of the grassroots movement driving the UK's refugee response by downloading our sponsor interest form (https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/work-with-us/communities-for-afghans-community-sponsorship/communities-for-afghans-faq/), registering to join one of our upcoming information sessions (https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/work-with-us/communities-for-afghans-community-sponsorship/communities-for-afghans-events/) or contacting Holly at holly.dawson@refugeecouncil.org.uk.

Skills

Helping the family register for services, enrol children in school and access healthcare

Welcoming the family on arrival to the UK and helping them integrate into their new environment

Assisting the family with essential needs such as sourcing furniture, household items and clothing

Supporting an Afghan family to find suitable, sustainable accommodation in your local area