Up to 60 Syrian refugees will be resettled in Herefordshire from November 2016, and the County Council are asking for residents to step forward and volunteer their help, if they are able and willing to do so.

The refugees will make up approximately 18 families. These will be people who currently live in camps, neighbouring the Syrian border. Priority has been given to women and children at risk, to people in severe need of medical care, and to survivors of torture and violence.

In addition to the Syrian refugees, 25 unaccompanied asylum minors, youths under the age of 18 who have been living in refugee camps alone, will also be resettled in Herefordshire. The local authority’s fostering care team are urging residents to come forward if they are interested in providing stable and secure homes for these children.

In addition, interpreters who speak Arabic are urgently needed, as are residents who are able to teach English to the refugees.

If you’d like to help the refugees settle and integrate into Herefordshire’s communities - whether that’s assisting with shopping or providing family activities - please get in touch with Herefordshire Council. Information can be found on the website: www.herefordshire.gov.uk/refugees, and volunteering forms can be downloaded from there.

Herefordshire Council is commissioning a support service to welcome and help refugees settle into Herefordshire communities, which will be paid for by the Home Office. The refugees will have access to a range of services, including health, social care, education and housing and the council continues to work with local partner organisations and community and faith representatives to ensure key services are in place.