Syrian cultural awareness seminar to support refugees welcome

The event will take place at The Willow Gallery’s Dunbabin Room in Willow Street, Oswestry from 5.30 – 7.30pm.

Organiser Jools Payne said: “The seminar is in response to the fantastic support the Oswestry Welcomes Refugees group has had from local people who expressed a desire to gain a better understanding of the cultural aspects of life in Syria both pre and post-conflict. The aim is that we are better informed about how we can best offer the warmest of welcomes to the refugee families when they arrive in Oswestry at some point in the summer in a culturally sensitive and respectful way.”

The Syrian Cultural Awareness Seminar will be delivered by Refugee Action Resettlement Worker, Stephen Chaderton. He will touch on Syrian history, heritage, cuisine, urban and rural lifestyles, the likely language skills and occupations of arrival families, as well as highlighting the harrowing experiences the families will have endured since the conflict in Syria began and during their journey to safety.

Jools added: “Most importantly, the very many supporters of the campaign to welcome refugees to Oswestry will look at how to offer a simple greeting in Arabic and other small acts of kindness to help the refugee families feel welcome, settle and integrate as quickly and successfully as possible.

Limited places are still available for this evening’s seminar. Anyone wishing to register can book on www.eventbrite.co.uk and enter Oswestry into the search bar.