Hosting
Refugees Welcome North Somerset are here to help refugees who are unable to find short-term options for accommodation, once asked to leave their asylum accommodation provided by the Home Office. Our hosting service is designed for those who:
- Do not have any close friends or family connections in the United Kingdom
- Do not yet know where they want to live or work once they become a Refugee
“He left the annex immaculate, he was the best guest we have ever had. If there is anyone who needs a furnished place to stay for a short time, please let us know”
Refugees Welcome Host
Thanks to the generousity of our supporters in North Somerset, we may able to offer short-term hosting accommodation for a maximum of three months, whilst long-term plan are made for independent, future living in this country. Whilst being hosted, hosts and guests are asked to design their living arrangements together, and regularly engage with Refugees Welcome North Somerset to show us that guest is actively creating their move-on options.
For anybody who would like to host a refugee, Refugees Welcome North Somerset are here to provide all necessary resources and support for the length of the stay. This includes:
- Full-time advice from our Housing Manager and CEO
- Access to all host ‘best-practice’ guidance and procedures
- Support setting up a Guest Agreement and Rules
- Training and Inclusion in all our Volunteer activities
- Recruiting a Guest Buddy through volunteer.coordinator@rwns.org.uk
By hosting a refugee after their initial eviction from Home Office Asylum accommodation, our hosts are playing a vital role in reducing homelessness, giving local authority and local charities the time to produce a long-term move on plans for each guest. If you are interested in hosting, please click the link below to register as interested:
Why do we need the support of hosts in North Somerset?
Refugee ‘Move-Ons’ are currently a major national issue. With only 28 days provided to find a job, accommodation, and financial support once a individual receives their refugee status, homeless figures are increasing exponential across the country.
Those who have already been through perilious journeys, violent conflict, and forced displacement, are now facing the very likely prospect of street homelessness in the United Kingdom, due to an ongoing, national social housing crisis, short-term initial accommodation evictions, and a lack of active, preparation & teaching whilst under asylum provision.
Homelessness is a national issue, and Refugees Welcome North Somerset fully recognise the work being done by local authorities and homeless charities to provide night shelters where possible for those at risk of being on the street. However we believe it is unacceptable that refugees are now re-experiencing the trauma of destitution and an inability to find a roof for the night, therefore we are calling upon local people to register with our hosting scheme.
You can find our full policy statement on this below, with links to best practice for those interested in hosting – Alternatively, if you are a landlord with a room you’d like to rent, please also let us know:
“The boys were great. They were respectful and regularly asked how they could help out around the house. Really glad to hear they have now sorted out their long-term plans”
Refugees Welcome Host