
ASHTEAD CHURCHES COMMUNITY TRUST
UK GOVERNMENT COMMITTED
TO WELCOME
20,000 REFUGEES
OVER A 5 YEAR PERIOD
HOW IT WORKS
In response to the Refugee Crisis the UK Government committed to welcome 20,000 Refugees in to the UK over a 5 year period, welcoming families directly from the Refugee Camps around Syria. Families can come in through local Councils or can be welcomed and supported by community groups through the Community Sponsorship scheme.
The first family to arrive under this scheme were welcomed in to Lambeth Palace by the Archbishop of Canterbury and many of the groups now making applications are Churches who see this as a very practical way of demonstrating their faith.

COMMUNITY SPONSORSHIP
Under Community Sponsorship groups must make an application to the Home Office and get approval from their local Council.
They must be a registered Charity
We are!
Have a minimum of £9,000 in the bank
To demonstrate their ability to offer the family some financial support when they arrive
Although the family will have recourse to public funds.

APPLICATION
The application must demonstrate our ability to welcome and support a family across a number of areas including:
Accommodation and the ability to furnish and equip a home.
Welcome and a plan to help the family integrate in to the local community.
Translation services until the family are able to learn English.
English language support.
Support with accessing benefits and, further down the line, employment.
Health, education and spiritual support.