The Welcome Committee, a group of London-based volunteers, are set to welcome a Syrian refugee family to Lambeth in a few weeks time.

They are the first work-based community sponsorship group in the UK to receive Home Office approval, having developed from a group of pioneering colleagues from Amnesty International, with support from Migrants Organise.

Abby Robinson, co-founding member of the Welcome Committee says, “In just over a year, we have grown from what started out as a room full of strangers, into a wonderfully supportive community group full of creativity, passion and determination. The group has managed to exceed fundraising targets, has secured accommodation, pondered ethical dilemmas, learned new skills, and through learning about the journey that refugees face in London, has developed a new found understanding of the challenges that our communities face as a whole.’’

Read their full story here

Community Sponsorship gives power to local volunteer groups to resettle a refugee family in their neighbourhood.  It is a big commitment, but hugely rewarding – and Sponsor Refugees is here to help every step of the way.

Groups need to:

• Find and furnish an affordable home for a refugee family for a period of 2 years
• Raise at least £9,000 (to cover various costs like translation, furnishing the house, and English classes)
• Welcome the family at the airport and settle them in their new community (helping them register for benefits, access health services and enroll children in schools)
• Provide support and encouragement to the family for one year so that they can live securely and independently

What are the benefits of Community Sponsorship?

Community Sponsorship transforms the lives of both the family and volunteers. Find out what groups and families have said. 

• It Is a practical way for local people to respond to the global refugee crisis
• It provides a safe and legal route for refugees to come to the UK
• It makes maximum use of the capacity, commitment and networks of citizens to help refugees
• It improves the chances of refugees to settle in, learn English and find work
• It strengthens community bonds
• It sends a strong message that refugees are welcome in the UK

Who can sponsor a family?

Everyone! There are more than 150 Community Sponsorship groups across the UK. Some are long-established groups, such as faith institutions, colleges or workplaces. Others began as a group of friends with a common interest. Some are groups of neighbours who had never met before but came together through their shared desire to transform the life of a vulnerable refugee family.

Who can be sponsored?

Click here to see the criteria of who can be resettled to the UK through community sponsorship

Sounds great! How do I get started?

We recommend you start by watching our videos, reading our FAQs, and this handbook, to get a better understanding of what is involved. 

Then contact our team, and we will guide you through the process: communitysponsorship@citizensuk.org.