100 families to be given refuge in Lewisham council’s resettlement programme
BY TOBY PORTER toby@slpmedia.co.uk
A South London borough is set to resettle more refugees than any other in London.
Up to 100 families will benefit from Lewisham council’s refugee resettlement programme.
The programme helps families find housing, children settle into new schools and adults find work.
In 2017 Lewisham council started supporting 15 refugee families from Syria and Iraq – about 70 people.
Volunteers from Lewisham Citizens (part of Citizens UK), faith groups and Amnesty International’s Lewisham branch gave them support.
Ten restaurants offered refugees free meals when they arrived.
This week marks the UK’s largest festival celebrating the contributions refugees have made – Refugee Week.
Lewisham aims to become a Sanctuary borough and protect the rights of all migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.
It is the 15th most diverse borough in the country.
In May the new Mayor of Lewisham, Damien Egan, appointed former refugee Liane Segal as Mayoress of Lewisham. Ms Segal fled her home in Vienna with the Kindertransport to escape the Nazis in 1939.
Councillor Kevin Bonavia, cabinet member for democracy, refugees and accountability, said: “Lewisham is leading the way in providing a safe place for refugees to live their lives free from persecution and fear.
“We are a borough that’s stronger for welcoming residents from all corners of the globe and the message is clear – refugees are welcome in Lewisham.”
There more refugees around the world than at any other time in history with millions fleeing from conflict and persecution in the Middle East and North Africa.
If you would like to support the programme contact svpr@lewisham.gov.uk.
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