Category: Refugees

Welcoming Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Before the lockdown, Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group (SWVG) were working with about 80 asylum seekers and dependents in Southampton and Winchester. On a weekly basis teaching English lessons one-to-one, providing pastoral support and welcoming new refugees, directing them to local agencies best placed to help them with legal advice, accommodation and English lessons.

Due to the spread of the Covid-19, all events, as well as face to face meetings with clients, has had to cease. Instead we have maintained contact by phone and email. We have also been able to deliver food and funding to some of those most in need.

Improving the Lives of Asylum Seekers

How can we ensure every asylum seeker in the UK receives a fair hearing, fair treatment and fair opportunity? Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group (SWVG) have prepared a simple summary of what ‘fairness’ should look like. Fairness for Asylum Seekers

SWVG campaigns to improve the lives of asylum seekers and refugees, drawing from our direct practical experience working with asylum seekers and refugees in Southampton and Winchester.

Churches Welcoming Refugees

Welcome Churches is a network of churches supporting asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. Our vision is for every refugee in the UK to be welcomed by their local church.

At the end of 2018 there were approximately 157,000 refugees and asylum seekers living in the UK (UNHCR, 2018). “If every church welcomed three people seeking refuge to their community then we could easily see our vision become a reality! No matter where your church is, there is something that you can do to welcome refugees and asylum seekers into your community.”

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Revd Fahed Abu Akel on Palestine

The Revd Fahed Abu Akel lives in Atlanta. He is the former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in the USA. In these short interviews he speaks candidly about being a Palestinian, living in the USA and his inspiration working for justice and peace in Palestine.

Born in Palestine Fahed explains how he became an Israeli citizen


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