Photo credit: Somerset County Gazette
By Cllr Bill Revans,
This is my friend Su – he has been living with us over the summer, writes Cllr Bill Revans.
His full name is Sulait Mugoya.
He is a refugee from Uganda who came to the UK, claimed asylum, and was granted refugee status by the Home Office.
Once Su was granted refugee status, he was given notice by the Home Office to leave the accommodation that they had been providing.
With refugee status also comes the right to work.
But this leaves a dilemma – there is a difficult period of time for refugees looking for work with no means of transport, and while they also face having nowhere to live, all in a country that is new to them.
My wife’s family and our church have connections to Uganda, so we were able to chat about his home country.
We had visited a couple of years ago and so we were able to chat openly about places, family, and culture.
We offered Su a home for the summer, helped him settle in, access advice, training, and apply for jobs.
The wonderful charity RAFT (Refugee Aid from Taunton) even provided him with a bicycle so that he could get around.
He has now been offered a job in a care home, found somewhere to live, and his ambition is to train to be a nurse.
He wants to contribute to the UK which has offered him a safe place to live.
We did this under the ‘Homes for Refugees’ scheme with support from Somerset Council.
Homes for Refugees is a local Somerset initiative designed to support refugees who are at risk of street homelessness.
The transition from seeking asylum to being granted refugee status can be daunting.
This is where local hosts can offer a temporary safe haven while they adjust and settle to life in the UK.
With pressures on our housing market in Somerset, there’s a growing need for hosts to support people like Su.
If you are interested, please contact the council to discuss options.
You’ll have time to meet your guest, ask any questions, and get your home ready before someone moves in.
Homes for Refugees hosts receive a small monthly payment to recognise your generosity and help with any additional costs.
Hosts can accommodate refugees for a minimum commitment of four weeks, up to a maximum of eight weeks.
This short stay gives refugees valuable time to find employment, set up a bank account, and start looking for long-term accommodation.
Whenever possible, hosts will be given two weeks’ notice before someone arrives.
In emergencies, it might be less (sometimes as short as seven days), but the team always try to give you as much time as possible to prepare.
Hosts need to complete a Basic DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and a property check.
We need to keep everyone safe.
Most refugees currently in need of hosting are single adults, with a majority being male, though there are also some women.
If you’re interested in hosting families, that’s an option too.
In those cases, an Enhanced DBS check is required to ensure everyone’s safety, and we’ll arrange that for you.
You’re not alone in this journey.
The Displaced People Service is available to answer questions or address concerns, and we’ll check in regularly during your hosting period.
Meanwhile, the Refugee Housing Team and Welcome Hubs will provide ongoing assistance to the individual or family staying with you.
Thinking about getting involved or want to know more?
Drop the team a line at resettlement@somerset.gov.uk — we’d love to hear from you.
Open your door, change a life.
The welcome starts with you.
Originally published in the Somerset County Gazzette
