International cafe
Our International Cafe is aimed at welcoming refugees and people of other nationalities looking for support and friendship locally. It meets every Friday 1-2.30pm, giving people the space to get to know others, practise their English and access helpful information.
Supporting our Homes for Ukraine Hosts
So far we have connected with over 20 hosts who live in Abingdon and surrounding villages. They represent over 40 Ukrainians who now have the challenge of getting settled in a new country, whilst their hearts remain in another. Our goal is to help support and equip hosts so that they in turn feel able to journey well with their guests. We offer to visit hosts before guests arrive and make them aware of support available.
ESOL Language Classes
At present these are currently paused: however we work together with local partners to make sure people can access English language learning opportunities.
Helping local afghan families
It is good news that at last Afghan families are being resettled in the South and Vale area – they have for too long been stuck in hotels. A warm welcome and help are needed from local people as they begin to settle in our communities. Connection Support are the organisation responsible for helping with this task and they are looking for volunteers who would be able to spare an hour or so at a time to speak English in a home environment reinforcing the English terms for everyday items, greetings, requests etc. also to assist with localisation and understanding where to access some local amenities.
Rachel from Connection Support would like to meet any of us who might be interested in finding out more about this – so we will try to fix a meeting in Abingdon with her. Please email hello@hostabingdon.org if you would like to come along.
Ukraine
Please see Oxfordshire County Council’s Ukraine webpage for support, information and guidance.