Who are we?

Evesham Vale Welcomes Refugees is a Registered Charity. Originally formed by a group of volunteers from the Evesham area in 2017 to welcome new arrivals after the Government agreed to accept refugees under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Scheme.

This and similar schemes for Afghans, people from Hong Kong and Ukraine, offer humanitarian protection including the right to work, eligibility for welfare benefits, access to statutory services such as healthcare and education, as well as the right to apply for family reunification.

Local Authority Resettlement Teams organise statutory things, such as finding a house, registering children in school and registering adults at the job centre. Our role is to support them in day-to-day things, help them to understand our culture and how things ‘work’ in our country and we support and provide extra English lessons. We also fund broadband for each family for a year.

We are part of the Worcester Welcomes Refugees group, which includes groups from Bromsgrove and Redditch, Malvern, Droitwich, Worcester and Wyre Forest. We share ideas and resources and give support to each other. Volunteers are given befriender and safeguarding training.

Who We Support

Since January 2022, the Evesham Hotel has been a place of refuge for asylum seekers, managed by SERCO under contract from the Home Office. We welcome both individuals and families who have fled their countries due to war, persecution, or fear for their lives. Many of our guests come from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Read More

Our Mission

Our mission is to offer friendship, practical help, and compassionate support to refugees and asylum seekers rebuilding their lives in Evesham and surrounding areas. By working alongside local authorities and community volunteers, we help individuals and families settle, access essential services, learn English, and feel welcomed into our society.