Gloucestershire’s heart to resettle Afghan Refugees

Gloucestershire’s Councils are now resettling 35 Afghan households under the Home Office Locally Employed Staff Resettlement Scheme. This is part of a project partnered by GARAS –  Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers.

Fabian Solomon, a reporter for BBC Radio Gloucestershire, visited the home of John Cordingley in Gloucester who opened up his home to Syrian refugees a few years ago is now about to do it again.

“We have a double room with a double bed and there’s a bathroom and shower just across the corridor,” he said. “That’s all that’s necessary really. I got involved with the Syrians and they’ve got a family who have been here for a couple of years. The kids are now fluent in English, the parents are coming along very well with theirs, and it’s just been a very happy experience for everybody.”

Ruth Saunders is the chair of the countywide strategic Housing Partnership. She told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: 

“Professionals have been working alongside our troops in Afghanistan for many years and we think that it won’t take much support for them to be able to resettle here and get back on their feet. I think they have a huge amount to offer in Gloucestershire. Gloucester City is already a very diverse place. we know the Syrians that are settled here fitted in very well. It’s very welcoming.”

Are you a landlord who could offer a house or spare room for rent? If so, please let Gloucestershire’s authorities know.

For more information contact stuart.dean@Gloucester.gov.uk or telephone 01452 396917.

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