Refugees Welcome in Richmond
We’re a group of local people volunteering in support of refugees in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.
Welcoming refugees
Our volunteers provide befriending and language support to help people to settle into the community and access the services they need. We’re always looking for more supporters to join us.
We work alongside the Council’s Resettlement Team to supplement the support offered by the families’ caseworker.
We’re also finding homes in the Borough for people fleeing crises, conflicts, or persecution around the world. We urgently need more rental properties.
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 the local residents hosting them in Richmond Upon Thames.
Ways to volunteer
Finding homes
Let your property on favourable terms and help us bring a refugee family to safety.
Befriending
After a background check, you can join our welcoming party and even make new friends.
Donations
Fundraise, donate food or your time, and help vulnerable people in our neighbourhood.
Endorsements
“I am really grateful to a [group] 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… Continue reading Sarah Olney, MP for Richmond Park
“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.”
Latest news
- 2nd March: Ukrainian Accommodation EventRefugees Welcome in Richmond invites Ukrainians and their sponsors to learn about the processes, possibilities and support available when looking for accommodation in London. There will be a panel of representatives from Richmond Council, the Ukrainian Social Club CIC, Citizens Advice and Refugees Welcome in Richmond. After a short presentation, we will welcome questions… Continue reading 2nd March: Ukrainian Accommodation Event
- Free weekly English language support at Duke Street ChurchEach week on Tuesdays from 1pm to 2pm, Duke Street Church runs ‘Café International‘. This is an informal group for foreign nationals to help them improve their English through a mixture of structured teaching and informal conversation. For more information contact Christine Sherwood.
- Ukrainian refugees need replacement hostsA small number of displaced Ukrainians already here in Richmond now need to move on due to illness or an unforeseen change in circumstances in their host’s household. Under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, hosts will receive a monthly payment of £350 for the remainder of their guests’ first year in the UK. If… Continue reading Ukrainian refugees need replacement hosts
Refugees Welcome in Richmond 