West Cumbria Refugee Support Network

West Cumbria Refugee Support Network

Offering friendship and support to resettled refugees and people seeking asylum in the Workington and Whitehaven areas

West Cumbria Refugee Support Network (WCRSN) started as a very informal voluntary group, under the umbrella of AWAZ Cumbria, in 2017. We drew up our constitution and became independent in 2018.

 

Our first cohort of resettled refugees consisted of a few Iraqi families and some Syrian families in Workington, Seaton and Whitehaven. When each family arrived, we gathered suitable toys for the children and arranged some outings to introduce them to Cumbria, including trips to Maryport, Keswick, Honister Slate Mine and Windermere. The work of West Cumbria Refugee Support Network has developed from there! More recently, we have welcomed several families from Afghanistan.

 

We are members of City of Sanctuary and also work with Penrith and Eden Refugee Network in a partnership supported by the National Lottery Reaching Communities fund. We have a Constitution and insurance, and we hold several meetings each year, including an AGM. Click here to read our policies.

Why is WCRSN needed?

The Cumberland Council Refugee Resettlement Team provide support for many of the resettled refugees’ practical needs, including accommodation with basic furnishings. When they arrive, a caseworker is allocated to each family, to help them open a bank account, get their children into a local school, register with a doctor, and so on.

 

People seeking asylum are placed in dispersal houses, managed by SERCO, while their cases are being considered. WCRSN also offers them assistance where possible.

 

People arriving in West Cumbria also need friendship and other kinds of support to help them integrate. WCRSN supplies toys, books, bikes, microwaves, recycled TVs and laptops, friendship and help with getting to doctors’ appointments, for instance. We also arrange occasional family gatherings and outings.

 

Most refugees and people seeking asylum have experienced a great deal of hardship and persecution, and some of them struggle with homesickness, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Getting them out into the Lakes as early as possible helps them realise that they have come to a beautiful, safe place. Our role has become more important as more people have arrived and the Council team have come under increasing pressure.

 

Some of the people WCRSN support have unfortunately faced racism and hostility, and we have provided assistance in those situations. Most West Cumbrians have given new arrivals a warm welcome.

Meet The Team

West Cumbria Refugee Support Network is mainly run by a committed team of local volunteers.

  • Our Chair is Alan Alexander
  • Kelly Davis is our Treasurer and Volunteer Coordinator
  • Liz Dias is our Health and Safety Officer and Safeguarding Officer