I have been privileged to help refugees arriving from Syria, Iraq, and Sudan settle in Oxford over the past year. I work with the city council, Connection Support, and a number of community groups to help families set up their homes, get started in school and English classes, open bank accounts, and begin to make community in Oxford.

Over the past year I've witnessed the great work that Asylum Welcome does to make a tangible difference in the lives of people making a home in this country. This work is mostly done by volunteers – currently there are 174 supporting the work week-on-week.

Over the past year Asylum Welcome has helped 1,345 people by teaching English, providing immigration and practical advice, running a food bank and weekly lunch club, holding youth clubs and services, and supporting community groups.

This work means that newly arrived refugees have the support they need to set up life here in Oxford.  One recently arrived refugee met with volunteers in our employment service who supported her to get a job within a month of landing in the UK.

Some ideas of how your support can help:

• £10 ensures four people who are at risk of homelessness can enjoy a home-cooked meal at our lunch club
  
• £25 will provide a fortnight's bus pass for travel to attend English classes
• £35 will provide a repaired bike, helmet, lights, and lock to save money getting around Oxford
• £100 will pay to run one session of the weekly Venda youth club, allowing at least 25 young people a space to relax and access advice services from the Youth Coordinator