After two years of logistical and paperwork preparations, we are finally on the brink of achieving our goal of welcoming a refugee family to find a safe home in Didcot through the Community Sponsorship scheme!

We need help to be ready to welcome the family, as we are a small team. There are a few ways you could help us right now:

- Can you volunteer to help us set the house up in the next 6-8 weeks with furniture, groceries and homeware? We have a list of things we need (see below)which include furniture, everything for a kitchen, cleaning materials, basic toiletries and electronics. We need someone to manage the donations of good quality items. If you are a bargain hunter who would like to help with purchasing, to make a small budget go a long way so everything is ready for the family's arrival, we need help.

- Can you help by volunteering time for the first few weeks/months to meet with the new family? (requires us to initiate a DBS check right away, and for you to take a short training in safeguarding) The aim is to help them gain English conversation practice, and settle by sharing your knowledge of the local area, e.g. knowledge of places of workshop locally, introductions to local clubs, helping with CVs for applying for jobs.

- Can you help us by putting us in touch with any Afghan families in Oxfordshire? It would be super helpful if you happen to have a connection who might help welcome this family. Any Turkish speakers who can volunteer would also be very helpful.

Please get in touch with Sophie or Rhiannon for any of the above, and thanks again for your support.

Sophie Hebden

Rhiannon Lovell

List of items needed