Oswestry Welcomes Syrian Refugees information event to take place

A drop in information event for members of the community eager to help resettle the small number of Syrian refugee families expected to arrive in Oswestry at some point in 2016 is being held on Saturday 5th March at the Willow Gallery Dunbabin Room from 10 – 1pm.

The event is organised by Oswestry-based PR business owner, Jools Payne from the Jools Payne Partnership, who launched the Oswestry Welcomes Syrian Refugees campaign last September.

The action came as part of a movement by the non-political organisation 38 Degrees to prompt a nationwide response to the Syrian refugee crisis.

Over 40 individuals and businesses from across Oswestry’s community have already signed up to offer friendship, mentoring, skills development and therapeutic and wellbeing services or simply offer the hand of friendship to families from Syria when they arrive.

“Shropshire Council has a cross party working group, which is co-ordinating the many public sector partners and voluntary groups needed to ensure there is a fully joined up, cohesive approach to the resettlement of families arriving in Shropshire,” said Jools Payne.

“I’m delighted that Barbara Cairns, who sits on that group, has kindly agreed to come to Oswestry on 5th March to update us on the progress being made by both central government and the local authority in terms of when refugee families might arrive.

“I was bowled over by the overwhelming warmth, humanity and kindness of those who were similarly moved as I was by the plight of the refugees and wanted to help but didn’t quite know how to do so back in September.

“The drop in session at the Willow Gallery will finally give us all a better steer of what we can do to make life as comfortable and welcoming as we can when the small number of refugee families do finally arrive in Oswestry.

As a business owner and Chairman of Oswestry Chamber of Commerce, I’m particularly keen to mobilise the support of Oswestry’s business community. That could be in the form of offering mentorship, employability skills training, work placements, pro-bono advocacy or even donating staff time to help put a lick of paint or soft furnishings to make properties more welcoming.

Anyone interested learning more about the Oswestry Welcomes Syrian Refugees campaign should contact Jools Payne on 01691 680717 or email jools@thejoolspaynepartnership.com for details.