BWR recently hosted the first ‘Beyond Bath Talks’, where over 25 attendees gathered at the Good Living Centre of the St John’s Foundation for an inspiring evening to reimagine the migration narrative.

In the first talk, a panel discussion was held on the theme of “Powerful stories of migration” was chaired by Andrea Dos Anjos, the Beyond Bath lead at BWR, with panellists Alexandra Chapman of Ethiopiaid; Mir Abdullah, educational researcher at University of Bath; and Kurda Yar, operations officer at BWR, who shared their perspectives on the challenges faced by migrants and refugees.

Beyond Bath Talks are a series of events designed to raise awareness of the realities beyond our borders, through authentic and inspiring stories of migrants, refugees, activists and change-makers working towards a more inclusive society. More Beyond Bath events are coming this summer and in the autumn.

The first event began with a warm welcome and introduction to BWR and the Beyond Bath initiative, with insights about BWR’s mission, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support our work through donations.

The panellists shared their perspectives on the challenges faced by migrants and refugees. Mir Abdullah shared his journey as a refugee and emphasised the importance of community support for successful integration. Alexandra Chapman highlights the issues in Ethiopia and the need for empathy and understanding. Kurda Yar shared her own journey, along with her experience working with refugees, shedding light on the realities faced by migrants in different contexts.

During the discussion, panellists addressed critical questions such as the challenges migrants face upon arrival in a new country, the significance of cultural exchange in fostering inclusion,  and the actionable steps needed for individuals, organisations, and governments to create welcoming environments for migrants and refugees.

The event concluded with a Q&A session, where attendees shared personal stories, comments, and questions, enabling thought sharing with like-minded individuals. 

We are very grateful to everyone who attended and contributed. Together, we are committed
to building a more compassionate and welcoming society for all.

Details on more Beyond Bath Talk will be shared soon, and we look forward to offering another opportunity to engage in vital conversations on migration and inclusion. For more information about BWR and upcoming events, keep an eye on the website or follow us on social media.

The fabulous Afghan feast night is returning on Saturday 24 August.

Join us for an evening of delicious and authentic Afghan food cooked by local chefs, along with a raffle and a bar.

The feast will be held in Batheaston New Village Hall on School Lane, with doors opening at 6.30pm for dinner at 7pm.

To buy tickets, please email us, with tickets costing £25 and all proceeds going to BWR.

BWR is looking to recruit a part time Volunteer Coordinator on an initial one-year contract (this is a paid role). Reporting to the Operations Officer you will be responsible for recruiting, overseeing induction, training as well as the day-to-day coordination and supervision of our volunteers.

See the full advert below:

Bath Welcomes Refugees (BWR) is a small charity established in 2016 by volunteers with
the initial intention of supporting Syrian Refugees. Since then, there have been growing
crises across in the world, Afghanistan and Ukraine being the most significant recently.
We provide a wide range of support to those seeking refuge and to make a new life in Bath
and the surrounding area. Our services include providing language tuition , arranging for
their education, help setting up homes and providing other support services to enable
them to live independently and settle into the local community.

Whilst we work with other local charities and agencies to provide the support needed by
an ever-growing number of refugees and asylum seekers BWR depends on its 250
volunteers and their enthusiasm, invaluable expertise, experience and dedication to
provide a range of support to those seeking refuge and to make a new life in Bath.
BWR is looking to recruit a part time Volunteer Coordinator on an initial one-year
contract. Reporting to the Operations Officer you will be responsible for recruiting,
overseeing induction, training as well as the day-to-day coordination and supervision of
our volunteers.

To be successful in this position, you will need to be

Empathetic with BWR’s aims, non-judgemental and flexible around working times.

Have the ability to develop relationships with volunteers, clients and other stakeholders,
be resourceful, collaborative and enjoy working with others with diverse experiences and
backgrounds.

You should be able to work remotely on your own initiative as well as being a team player
working in a potentially high-pressure environment. You will be highly organised, able to
manage and prioritise your own workload, be a good communicator and IT literate.

Ideally your experience will include

• Working with volunteers in the charity, not-for-profit sectors.
• Recruiting, training and managing volunteers.
• Supporting and developing volunteers in their roles.
• Good communication and listening skills.
• Working with CRM databases.
• An understanding of the data protection requirements in respect of volunteers and the organisation as a whole.

Outline of the Role

You will be the key volunteer contact, recruiting, co-ordinating training, carrying out
background and DBS checks and supporting volunteers in their various roles across the
organisation to enable BWR to meet its aims.

You will work with and provide support to the Operations Officer, Team Leaders, the
Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support Coordinator and to ensure we provide appropriate
resources to support our families and individuals to meet their individual specific needs.

• Assess the suitability of volunteers in their allotted volunteer role, in conjunction with the Team leader, prior to the end of their probationary period and identify the need for additional training or other support required for the volunteer to be successful in their role.
• Provide information about the work of BWR to potential volunteers and promote volunteering in the wider community to identify potential volunteers.
• Maintaining our Case Management System.
• Liaising with the Communications Team in relation to the website and other digital communications in respect of volunteer activity.

This is an initial one-year contract, with hybrid working (office and home). The role will
require flexibility to attend meetings, liaising with refugee families and asylum seekers
either during the day, evening or at weekends within the Bath and surrounding area.

The role is based on 29 hours per week with a pro rata salary of £25-27k full time
equivalent (commensurate with experience).

The role will require an enhanced DBS check.

To apply for this role please provide an up-to-date CV with a covering letter explaining in
why you would be ideal for the role.

Applications to be emailed to [email protected] by 8 July 2024. Or Apply at Charity Job

Applications will be reviewed as received.

Interviews will be held – Week commencing 15 July 2024.

For more information, please see Detailed Job Description and Chart of BWR Activities.

BWR is proud to be an inclusive employer that considers applicants regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, religion , political views, marital status or philosophy of life.

If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation or assistance, we will support you during the selection process.

From the 17th of June to the 23rd is Refugee Week.

Refugee Week (refugeeweek.org.uk) is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people.

Look out on the BWR social media platforms for events happening locally and nationally, and how you can directly be a part of this positive action.

The theme for Refugee Week 2024 is ‘Our Home‘”’, from the places we gather to share meals to our collective home, planet earth – as the organisers say “home can be a place of refuge, a feeling or a state of mind”.

Volunteer Week is our opportunity to thank you for all that you do to support refugees and those displaced from their home country by reason of war, persecution, oppression, discrimination, or natural disaster. You demonstrate that there are people ready to help. It is a gift beyond price.

Since we began in 2015, Bath Welcomes Refugees has supported over 800 people from Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and now Hong Kong and a number of other places. It involves 243 active volunteers like you who provide English language support across four centres in Bath and North East Somerset, resettlement help for the refugee families we support directly with everything from medical appointments to driving tests or routes to employment, or social events so that the different groups can meet and share their stories and feel less isolated.

What you all do is much appreciated whether you’re a teacher, a resettlement volunteer, a gardener, or decorator or team leader. It does not go unnoticed by those you work with. As one refugee put it: 

“Our teachers have big hearts and patience to spend a lot of hours with us and our children.” While another wrote: “The dedication of the team and the welcoming atmosphere they create have truly made a profound impact on my journey towards integration. Thank you for being a lifeline and for making us feel valued and supported every step of the way.”

So, thank you, on behalf of the Trustee Board and the Management Committee (all volunteers, too!), we are so grateful for your support.

With warmest wishes and thanks,

Stephen Whittle

Chair of the Board of Trustees

The Bath University Student Musicals Society is staging its fabulous musical revue show Encore 2024 from 2 May until Saturday 4 May at the Edge Theatre at the University of Bath’s Claverton Down site.

We’re very pleased to say that Bath Welcomes Refugees is their chosen charity and they will be holding a collection to help raise funds.

The show is set up to be a toe-tapping, spirit-lifting mix of classics West End big hitters such as Les Miserables and Sweet Charity, along with contemporary contenders including High School Musical and Seussical!

Tickets range between £5 – £13.
Content Warning: There will be smoke and haze effects, and strobe lighting.

Tickets bookings are here: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/59367

We’re helping to promote a photography competition for Freedom From Torture (www.freedomphotocompetition.co.uk) – keep a look out for the winners of this who will be seen in Bath’s 44AD art space from 14-16 June. 

The deadline to enter the competition was extended to Sunday 28 April.

As the organisers say: “Everyone should be able to live in freedom. Yet today there are 110 million people forcibly displaced worldwide. Each person, with their own hopes, fears and dreams, has been forced to flee from violence, conflict and persecution, leaving their homes, communities or countries behind. 

“We’re inviting you to explore the word ‘freedom’ by taking part in this open photography competition to fundraise for Freedom from Torture, a charity which supports refugee survivors of torture in the UK.”

A selection of the photographs will be made for exhibition and a winner in each age group and a number of runner-ups will be decided by a professional jury made up of eminent photographers Kolbassia Haoussou MBE, Aisha Olamide Seriki and director of Panos Pictures Adrian Evans. Winners in each category will be awarded prize money and a longlist of entries will be published in our digital gallery. 

The photos will be displayed at the following prestigious galleries:
The Velorose Gallery (London): 17th-29th June 2024
The Glasgow Gallery of Photography (Glasgow): 17th-23rd June 2024
44AD artspace (Bath): 14th-16th June 2024

A fantastic BWR pre-loved Boutique Sale is on next Thursday, 2nd May in Combe Down. Please come along, find a fashionable bargain and contribute to a fantastic cause!

Off the Record Bath and North East Somerset is running a volunteer independent visitor service and is looking for long term befrienders to children/young people aged 5-18 looked after in foster care.  

Each volunteer is matched with one young person and takes them out for an activity once a month. 

All applicants welcome. Visit https://www.offtherecord-banes.co.uk/volunteer for more information.

Off the Record Bath and North East Somerset (OTR) improves the emotional health and wellbeing of young people. OTR provides a range of free services for anyone aged 10-25 living, working or studying in BaNES, including counselling, listening support, youth participation, advocacy, support for care leavers and a LGBTQ+ focused youth group.

BWR has been working away with plans for a new logo and website to better reflect the work we do and the people we support. We look forward to unveiling this later in the year.

We’re so very grateful to the kind people helping us with design and inspiration and content and all the techie stuff that’s going to make this possible.

Right now, we’d particularly like to thank Darius Jéan, who invited the team to his Bath studio for professional headshots for our new website.

Darius, who is a photographer and filmmaker specialising in weddings and events, says: “I search for joy. I capture moments that are for the most part unposed to document the story: not create it.”

We love this example of his beautiful work, below. For more information and to see more of his photography visit www.dariusjean.co.uk.