Welcoming Afghans
A Three-Year Journey of Hope and Integration
Following the Taliban's capture of Kabul on August 15, 2021, thousands of Afghans fled their country in search of safety. In response to the urgent need for support, Welcome Churches swiftly initiated an emergency plan to assist those escaping the dangers of their homeland and seeking refuge.
Over the past three years, we have developed and launched a series of comprehensive projects aimed at integrating Afghan refugees into our communities. These initiatives include providing immediate necessities, connecting refugees with local churches, offering information about the healthcare system, education, and housing, facilitating access to essential services, and creating welcoming environments where refugees can feel at home. Our commitment extends beyond mere assistance; we strive to foster lasting connections and empower Afghan refugees to build a new, hopeful chapter of their lives in the UK.
Impact of Our Projects
Supporting Refugees in Hotels and Other Accommodations
Initial Emergency Response
We collaborated with the UK Home Office and other charities to support 4,200 Afghan refugees housed in hotels following the Afghan crisis in 2021. Our assistance included providing essential baby items, social activities, facilitating GP registration, accessing money support, and ensuring children’s access to education.
Welcome Network Referrals
Our Welcome Network is a referral system to connect refugees with a local church. Our Network churches have welcomed an additional 22,800 refugees. Afghanistan is one of the top 10 countries of origin for asylum seekers.
Connect a refugee with a local church here.
Resources for Refugees
Find Your Welcome
The comprehensive online hub for refugees offers vital information about life in the UK, including healthcare, housing, education, employment, finance, food and necessities. It has already garnered over 34,000 visits, helping many newcomers obtain necessary support and acclimate to their new surroundings.
Visit Find Your Welcome here.
Welcome Homes
This online platform connects refugees with potential hosts for accommodation. To date, we have received over 50 expressions of interest from individuals and families willing to host or rent to refugees.
Learn more about Welcome Homes.
The Welcome Course
This six-session program includes professionally produced videos and discussions designed to assist refugees in integrating into life in the UK. It serves as a tool to bridge the relational gap between new arrivals and the local community. Participants can improve their English conversational skills and confidence, build friendships, learn about British culture, receive guidance on accessing services, and share their cultural heritage. The program is available in Dari, Pashto, and Farsi.
Click here to learn more about the Welcome Course.
Looking After Myself
This series of three videos helps refugees understand potential well-being and mental health challenges they may face after moving to the UK and how their past experiences can influence their current state of well-being. It provides practical tips and strategies to improve their well-being and mental health and offers information about local support and organisations.
Watch the videos here.
Finding My Way
This book, in Farsi, Pashto and English, is designed for Afghan children aged 11-15 to help them navigate the cultural transition to the UK. By engaging with the book, they can process their emotions and develop strategies for managing conflicts between their home and UK cultures. It supports them in meeting school and home expectations, fostering self-confidence, and appreciating their multicultural identity, and encourages them to gently process past traumas. The book will be launched and distributed to newly arrived Afghan children in late August 2024.
Will be available from our online shop in late August, 2024.
Equipping Network Churches
With a robust network of over 1,400 churches across the UK, we are dedicated to equipping and empowering our churches to warmly welcome and support refugees. Our aim is to ensure that every refugee has a supportive community to turn to, fostering a sense of belonging and easing their transition into a new life. We provide our network churches with the necessary resources, training, and guidance to create a nurturing environment. Through these collective efforts, we help refugees rebuild their lives with dignity and hope, integrating into the UK community with confidence.
Afghan Welcome Training and Meetings
We have conducted a comprehensive series of training sessions and meetings specifically designed for those supporting Afghan refugees. Covering a wide range of topics, including working with Afghan women and addressing the educational support needs of Afghan refugee children, these 15 events have attracted over 600 participants. Through these sessions, we equip our Network churches with the vital skills and knowledge necessary to effectively assist Afghan refugees in their integration journey.
Afghan Welcome Resource Hub
Our resource hub offers extensive information about Afghan asylum seekers and refugees in the UK, featuring videos and guides on Afghan culture, mental well-being, and resources to aid recovery from natural and man-made disasters. This comprehensive support equips those assisting Afghan refugees to effectively guide them on their journey towards a stable and secure future.
Click here to access our Resource Hub.
We are immensely grateful for the support of our community, whose generosity and compassion have made these initiatives possible. Your contributions help us make a profound impact in the lives of Afghan refugees, fostering hope and stability. As we continue to provide vital support, we invite you to join us in this mission. Please consider donating to ensure we can keep offering these essential services and extend our reach even further. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of those who need it most. Thank you for standing with us.