June 20th is World Refugee Day and we’ve selected two fantastic voluntary sector groups who support refugees to be our Community Heroes in the Spotlight for June. The organisations are working together to support refugees locally.

International Care Network (ICN) help individuals and families who have left everything behind to find a safe place to live. ICN enable refugees and asylum seekers to integrate and settle in the UK by providing them with the skills, support and advice they need when they are confused and vulnerable.

Rebecca Fell, CEO, shared ICN’s vision, “Each asylum seeker and refugee in our sphere of influence will receive our compassionate welcome and informed help in rebuilding their lives out of their suffering – being safeguarded, empowered and finding community.”

The need for ICN’s support has increased significantly. Demand for their services has grown since the unravelling of the situation in Afghanistan in 2021, the crisis in Ukraine in 2022, and the national backlog of asylum seekers. ICN has worked closely with BCP and Dorset Councils to arrange support for refugees, including securing suitable housing, with English language skills, mental and physical health and wellbeing, welfare and employment, schooling and community integration. They also provide safety and support to children seeking asylum alone.

Safe and Sound Dorset offer women and girls, who are at risk and isolated, a place where they can experience true inclusion. They’ve joined forces with ICN to offer a welcome group for women and girls who have left Ukraine to seek shelter from the war. Women, girls and their children come to take refuge, meet other women and girls experiencing the same displacement and communicate in their home language whilst receiving advice and support.

Kriss Cocomazzi, Director, says “Fun is also had with singing and laughter, sharing of skills like jewellery making and eating the most delicious Ukrainian food. The women involved are truly grateful to the loving families who have taken them in, offering them home comforts and support.”

Both these organisations offer a much-needed lifeline to people who have made the heart-breaking decision to leave their homes behind and seek a new life. In our local area, help is at hand.

Listen to an interview with Rachael from ICN, Dot from Safe and Sound Dorset, and CAN’s Engagement Lead on Hope FM

To find out more about Community Heroes in the Spotlight, email Hannah.rees@can100.org