What we have done in Somerset
Displaced people who meet the selection criteria of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are referred to and screened by the Home Office.
After that, the Home Office works with local authorities’ resettlement schemes to place refugees through safe and planned pathways.
We have been working alongside United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Home Office, regional Migration Partnership, and district partners since 2015. This is when we committed to take part in the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS). This scheme was a UK Government initiative to resettle 20,000 people impacted by the Syrian conflict in the UK by 2020.
The first refugee family was welcomed to Somerset in 2016. Since then, we have committed to take part in subsequent government resettlement programs. With the help of local services, charities, and generous offers from the community we have supported many people to safely resettle here.
The Global Scheme
The UK met its Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme target in February 2021. Since then, the Government has committed to continue refugee resettlement under the United Kingdom Resettlement Scheme (UKRS).
In September 2022, we pledged to continue our support for refugees by agreeing to take part in United Kingdom Resettlement Scheme. This scheme takes the success of Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme and extends it to some of the world’s most vulnerable refugees.
Afghan Resettlement
In Summer 2021, local authorities were called upon to expand their support to Afghan personnel who worked alongside the British military as interpreters and translators, as well as at-risk citizens.
We are committed to supporting people placed through the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS).
Temporary Accommodation for Asylum Seekers
The Home Office are using hotels as temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.
Asylum seekers may have had a difficult experience before arriving in the UK and may not understand English. As a county we are known for our compassion and supporting others who are going through difficult.
The Home Office may set up a hotel in Somerset, so we have put together a number of responses to some frequently asked questions to help increase your understanding should this be the case.
Widening Asylum Dispersal
In the 2022 local authorities were mandated by The Home Office to support the widening asylum dispersal scheme.
The Home Office contractor Ready Homes are looking to procure properties across the country so that asylum seekers can be moved out of hotels into dispersal accommodation. When a move has taken place, asylum cases are considered.
Somerset will be supporting the Home Office in the delivery of this scheme.
Welcome Packs for Refugees and People Seeking Asylum
Download a digital ‘Welcome to Somerset’ pack. We hope these resources will help you feel welcomed in Somerset.
Positive Decision on your Asylum Claim
Download a digital booklet to support you with your positive decision. We hope this resource will help you.
Health access cards
Download a digital Health Access Card to help you understand and navigate healthcare in Somerset.
Welcome Hubs
| Location | Opening times | Key contacts |
|---|---|---|
| LocationSomerset West: CHARIS Refugees, 16/17 Hammet Street, Taunton TA1 1RZ | Opening timesOpen 10am to 3pm Monday to Thursday Second, fourth and fifth Tuesday (if there is one) of the month: Welfare checks First and third Tuesday of the month 10am to 12.30pm: Employment Hub Wednesday 10am to 12pm: Wellbeing Café First Thursday in the month 1pm to 3 pm: Knitting Monday to Thursday: ESOL | Key contactsHub Manager: Luzma Jimenez Email: taunton@charisrefugees.org Phone: 07754 875093 |
| LocationSomerset North: Diversity Voice, Victoria Park Community Centre, Victoria Park Drive, Bridgwater TA6 7AS Hamp Recreation Community Centre, Rhode Lane, Bridgwater, TA6 6HZ | Opening timesDrop in and welfare checks Monday 9am to 1pm at Victoria Park Thursday 9am to 1pm at Hamp Recreation ESOL Classes Victoria Park Community Centre – Monday 9.15am to 1pm Westfield church – Wednesday 9.30am to 4.30pm, Friday 9am to 1pm Two Thursdays a month 12.30pm to 3pm at North Petherton Community Centre (please check Diversity Voice website for dates). | Key contactsHub Manager: Suzanne Todd Email: communities@diversityvoice.org.uk |
| LocationSomerset East: Frome Town Council, Frome Town Hall, Christchurch Street West, Frome BA11 1EB | Opening timesTuesdays 10am to 3pm Thursdays 12pm to 2pm: Welfare Checks | Key contactsHub Advice Officers Iryna Ladyzhenska Email: info@frometowncouncil.gov.uk Mobile: 07710 056210 Emma Lacey Williams Email: info@frometowncouncil.gov.uk Nikki Cox, Partnership Lead Email: info@frometowncouncil.gov.uk Phone: 01373 475579 |
| LocationSomerset West: Watchet and Minehead The Sanctuary 38 Swain Street, Watchet TA23 0AE Minehead Eye, 1 Mart Road, Minehead TA24 5BT | Opening timesWednesday 3pm to 5pm (Minehead Eye) Thursday 10am to 1pm (The Sanctuary) Welfare checks on both days | Key contactsHub Manager: Kate Kennedy Email: WatchetWelcomeHub@gmx.co.uk Phone: 07964 059296 |
| LocationSomerset East: Wells City Council and Wells Community Network, Portway Annexe, The Portway Building, Portway Avenue, Wells BA5 2QF | Opening timesPortway Annexe, The Portway Building, Portway Avenue, Wells BA5 2QF Monday 10 am to 1pm: Drop-ins and welfare checks English lessons throughout the week (contact Hub for details) Street – Quaker Meeting House, 36 High Street, Street BA16 0EB First Friday of the month from July 2024 10am to midday | Key contactsHub Manager: Anna Tumanova Email: refhub@Wells.gov.uk Phone: 07821 811737 Assistant Hub Manager: Inna Prykhodko Email: refassist@wells.gov.uk Wells Community Network contact details: wcnukraine@gmail.com Helpline: 01749 467079 |
| LocationSomerset South: Yeovil Community Church, The Gateway, Addlewell Lane, Yeovil BA20 1QN | Opening timesWednesday 10am to 12pm, Friday 10am to 12.30pm Both sessions include welfare checks | Key contactsHub Manager: Vicki Pritchard
Email: resettlement@yeovil4family.org.uk Phone: 07735 815 266 |
Welcome Hubs Programme Manager:
Alex Melbourne
CHARIS Refugees
16/17 Hammet Street
Taunton TA1 1RZ
Email: AlexMelbourne@charisrefugees.org
Mobile: 07719 747485
Somerset Council Resettlement Workers
Somerset East:
Email: homesforukraine@somerset.gov.uk
Somerset North:
Ghizlane Mokni
Email: ghizlane.mokni@somerset.gov.uk
Alison Forshaw
Email: alison.forshaw@somerset.gov.uk
Joella O’Neill
Email: joella.oneill@somerset.gov.uk
Harry Long
Email: harry.long@somerset.gov.uk
Somerset West:
Ghizlane Mokni
Email: ghizlane.mokni@somerset.gov.uk
Alison Forshaw
Email: alison.forshaw@somerset.gov.uk
Joella O’Neill
Email: joella.oneill@somerset.gov.uk
Harry Long
Email: harry.long@somerset.gov.uk
Somerset South:
Sarah Berry
Email: sarah.berry@somerset.gov.uk
How you can help
Whether it is your time, resources, or skills on offer, we want to direct you to the right place to support refugees.
Private Landlords
While we are grateful for all offers of help, we are unable to place refugees in temporary accommodation or spare rooms. If you are a private landlord with self-contained accommodation, we would like to hear from you. We are particularly looking for housing that is close to town centres. Please contact resettlement@somerset.gov.uk.
The Homes for Ukraine scheme is an exception to this, see the information above.
Community Sponsorship
CHARIS: A number of families are placed in Somerset have been supported by the local Community Sponsor group CHARIS. Community Sponsorship sits alongside local authority work as another pathway for resettlement. Community Sponsors mobilise local volunteers to fundraise and support a refugee family to resettle in the community.
Donate or Volunteer
Thank You
We would like to thank members of the public, local services, and charities who have come forward with offers of housing, spare rooms, children’s toys, clothing, and employment opportunities. We know that resettlement is achieved through communities and your offers make all the difference to what we do.