We’re volunteering in support of refugees and people seeking sanctuary in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.
Welcoming refugees
We’re Refugees Welcome in Richmond (RWinR). Since 2015 we’ve been responding to the needs of refugees and people seeking asylum (or sanctuary in general) who live in or pass through Richmond in London.
Our volunteers provide befriending and language support to help those fleeing crises, conflicts, or persecution around the world who arrive here to settle into the community and access services they need. We’re always looking for more supporters to join us.
We work alongside Richmond Council’s Resettlement Team to supplement the support offered by caseworkers.
We’re also finding homes for sanctuary seekers in the Borough. We urgently need more rental accommodation. In collaboration with the Council, we’ve developed a package of commercial benefits for landlords.
As the crisis in Ukraine continues, we have a dedicated subgroup to support refugees from there and local residents hosting them in Richmond upon Thames.
Ways to get involved
Finding homes
Let your property on favourable terms and bring more refugees to safety.
Befriending
After safety checks and training, join our welcoming party to make new friends.
Donations
Fundraise, donate items or your time to assist refugees in our neighbourhood.
Looking for hosts
Support the call from Refugees at Home by offering temporary hosting to sanctuary seekers in London.
Endorsements
Celia Marsh, host in Teddington
Refugees Welcome in Richmond (RWinR) has been an incredible source of information and support to Ukrainian hosts and guests alike ever since I joined its WhatsApp group as a potential host in May 2022. Providing answers to numerable questions about the rules for financial support and visa and permit applications to name but a few through to disseminating information on job fares, local support groups, social events and talks. Special mention must go to Hirsh who seems to work day and night replying to everything in double quick time! I am now having a second guest in the full knowledge that there is help and support available to myself and my guest. Thanks RWinR!
Mila
RWinR has been an essential supporter of the Ukrainian community in Richmond, creating a sense of home far from home, providing a helping hand to local refugees and improving their well-being.
Munira Wilson, MP for Twickenham
I very much support the invaluable contribution of Refugees Welcome in Richmond to the resettlement of refugees fleeing conflict in Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine, through finding homes, befriending, and events promoting integration.
Iryna and Valentin
I would like to express my deep gratitude to you and the group of people who work with you for helping us Ukrainians in this difficult time for us. You put a lot of effort into making our life diverse in a foreign country. We are cared for by sincere, kind, friendly people who understand our unbearable pain for the abandoned home where we lived and worked not so long ago and could never believe in the horror that befell us. Words of gratitude cannot be expressed without tears. A low bow to you.
Svitlana
I just wanted you to know about our, my personal, gratitude for your work. Last Tuesday we spoke with Susan and Noreen. Two hours of conversation on various topics is the best psychological support. Because I got some useful life hacks about finding a job for my son, who is also in the UK. We were considering the best way to study in Britain. Is a university education necessary, etc. I was ready to hug and kiss these charming women who spoke to us like old friends.
Sarah Olney, MP for Richmond Park
I am really grateful to a charity in my constituency called Refugees Welcome in Richmond, who came to see me on Friday. They are very concerned that the renewed focus on Ukrainian refugees will obscure the effort that is still going on to rehome our Afghan refugees. So many of them are still in hotels and I would really like to see a renewed focus on getting them resettled. I think the situations are different: we need immediate, potentially temporary shelter for women and children fleeing Ukraine; and our Afghan refugees—whole families—need permanent resettlement. The requirements are different. The effort to resettle one group does not need to take up the efforts already employed in resettling the other.
Latest news
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Thanks to Kew Fete
We are delighted to receive a very generous donation of £2,000 from the organisers of Kew Fete 2024. Refugees Welcome in Richmond (RWinR) supports people seeking sanctuary to live and thrive throughout this beautiful borough. From language interpretation at our advice sessions to catering and venue hire for social events, this grant will greatly improve the services…
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Thanks to Jane Bradley, her family and friends
Jane Bradley supported people seeking sanctuary in Richmond as an English teacher and a volunteer at the Vineyard Community Centre. We are very grateful to Jane’s family and friends who have raised over £1,000 in her memory for Refugees Welcome in Richmond (RWinR). This tremendous contribution will go directly towards supporting various expenses for our clients. You can read…
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Grow your own food at Jubilee Meadow
Do you love gardening, plants or have a passion for growing food? We would like to invite you to our new “Grow your own” project based in Jubilee Meadow where you will have the opportunity to grow food, nurture flowers and enjoy the outdoor space in the middle of a wildlife meadow. The growing beds are by…