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Elmbridge CAN offers a range of free activities specifically designed for displaced people. What's on Elmbridge CAN offers a range of free activities specifically designed for displaced people. There are lots of other sports, social and cultural activities that you can participate in - many of them free of charge - in your local area. Elmbridge CAN activities We offer regular drop-in English classes during term-time, as well as a weekly hub where displaced people can come to ask questions and access our support. For more information and to register with us please email contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk . Other activities in the community Gym and swimming Running and walking Yoga Tennis For teenagers Cycling Cultural activities Gym and swimming Gym memberships, swimming and exercise classes are available at the XCel Leisure Complex and Hurst Pool . They offer a free 3-month membership for displaced people. After the initial 3 months, you can get a 20% discount on membership. There is a women-only swimming session on Saturdays 18.00-19.00 at Hurst Pool. Back to top Running and walking Parkrun is a free, community event where you can walk, jog or run 5 kilometres (or volunteer or spectate). It takes place every Saturday morning at 9.00 across multiple locations. Our Parks also offer free running and fitness classes in parks across the UK. Back to top Special group activities Elmbridge Borough Council Our local council runs different wellbeing activities, as well as specialist groups for resettled people. You can join in activites such as local walks, tennis, yoga and cricket. Find out more and get involved. Mary Frances Trust Mary Frances Trust is a charity which offers wellbeing activities, such as yoga and walking, community groups and courses throughout the year. Find out more about the Mary Frances Trust and how to register for their activities. Women's groups Some local groups meet and are a safe environment for women and children only. Multi-Connections group Holy Trinity Claygate Church, KT10 0JP Alternate Saturdays in term-time 11.00 -12.30 Sisterhood group Wednesdays 12.30-14.30 St John's Church Walton, KT12 3JQ Yoga Yoga is more than just an exercise class. It has been proven to help with trauma symptoms. The local classes below offer a discount for displaced people (see also Mary Frances Trust above). Sport in Mind charity offers free yoga at the Xcel Leisure Centre on a Wednesday 12-1pm. You can sign up here . Yoga with Ruth in Weybridge Yoga with Florendia in Walton and Weybridge Yoga with Uzma in Cobham Back to top Tennis Displaced people in Elmbridge (and any Elmbridge residents in receipt of benefits) are eligible for a FREE tennis pass to use at any of the 12 sites operated by Parks Tennis in Elmbridge. Send an email to sign up: parkstennis@elmbridge.gov.uk . Back to top For teenagers There are a number of activities that are run especially for teens. Here are some of the local schemes - many of which are free of charge. Virtual youth space for Ukrainian kids: sessions run from 18.00 to 19.00 on the first and third Thursday of every month. For more information e-mail: ukrainiansupport@barnardos.org.uk . Football with Chelsea FC: free football training for boys and girls from age 11-17, in a variety of locations across Surrey. It is run by Premier League Kicks, funded by the Premier League through the Premier League Charitable Fund. Complete the form here (y o u can select a time and location). XCel Leisure Complex in Walton runs drop-in sessions for teens age 11-16. Contact them direct for more information. Claygate Youth and Community Hub provides free sessions for teens on Tuesdays 18.00-20.00 and Thursdays 19.00 to 21.00. They also offer youth sport sessions on Wednesdays from 18.00 to 19.30. See their website for full details. Foley Boxing Club for both boys and girls, is run by the Metropolitan Police at Imber Court, Molesey KT8 0BT. There is a charge of £5 per class, but ask for a concession if you cannot afford it. Please contact Lee Martin on 07957 829030 for more information and to book. Back to top Cycling We often get bikes donated and we can also teach people how to ride if required. Bikes are subject to availability. Please send an email to materials@elmbridgecan.org.uk to let us know your needs - age, height etc. Back to top Cultural activities Hampton Court Palace offers £1 tickets for eligible individuals. For more information and to book online visit their website . Many galleries and museums in London are free to visit. There are so many to choose from. Visit London has lots of ideas and suggestions for cheap days out. If you need help accessing any of the services on this page, then please get in touch. Back to top

Building a life in a new country can be challenging. We provide practical information, such as how to register with your local doctor, as well as other support which you or your family members might need. Health and wellbeing We recognise that building a life in a new country can be challenging. On this page you can find practical information, such as how to register with your local doctor, as well as other support which you or your family members might need. There are also some self-help resources which you may find useful. Doctors Dentist Pharmacy Mental health Help yourself Young people Therapy options Doctors Contact your doctor (GP) in the first instance for all medical issues. They will decide if you need to see a specialist and refer you for an appointment. In the UK you must register with your local NHS GP (National Health Service General Practitioner) practice as soon as possible. Do not wait until you are ill. Find your nearest doctor . If you are new to using the NHS (free National Health Service), start with this short guide: English version , Dari version *If you are an asylum seeker, with an active application or appeal, you are eligible and will need an HC2 card to access free care. This guide will help you understand our NHS services and entitlements for migrants. Back to top Dentist Dental health is important too. There is a shortage of free NHS dentists, so you should get on the waiting list for your local NHS dentist as soon as you can. Back to top Pharmacy In some cases, a pharmacist can help you. If you have common infections such as a sore throat, earache or infected insect bite, you can go to your local pharmacy and speak to the pharmacist for advice and medication. Alternatively you can call 111, which is a NHS service which will direct you to the best place to get help for your symptoms. Check here to see if your pharmacist can help. Back to top Mental health Problems sleeping, poor memory, lack of focus, anger, helplessness, low energy and flashbacks are some normal reactions to trauma. Know that you are not alone if you experience these. Contact your doctor for help. The first thing to do is make an appointment to see your GP. If you are feeling overwhelmed or suicidal or need to speak to someone immediately, there are people who can help. See below organisations offering 24/7 help, including some specifically for young people. Get help now Childline 24-hour confidential support up to age 19 PAPYRUS (9am-midnight) for young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide Back to top Help yourself Understanding trauma can really help - everyone responds in different ways. The charity Mind has some online resources which may help. Learn some practical tools to help feel better: Learn how to stop PTSD Nightmares with Dr Justin Havens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv38dzpcxfA Also available in Arabic: تعلمْ كيفيةَ إيقافِ كوابيسِ اضطرابِ ما بعدَ الصدمةِ مع د.جاستن هيفينز and Ukrainian: Дізнайтеся, як зупинити кошмари посттравматичного стресового розладу здоктором Джастіном Хейвенсом YouTube Video -Coping with scary and distressing memories | UK Trauma Council Back to top Resources for young people and adults The UK Trauma Council has lots of useful information in different languages which may help. You can also watch their video . Trauma from war and conflict: what’s difficult and what helps? This is a useful document, written by and for young people, which explains the symptoms experienced after war and trauma and also what may help. Practical tools for young people Here’s a list of free apps especially for young people which may be of use: https://www.good-thinking.uk/free-apps-for/apps-young-people . Find out more about free activities locally - visit our What’s on page for some ideas. Back to top Therapy options In the UK it's generally accepted that most people can benefit from professional therapy at some point in their life. Here are some useful links and services. Some are free or offer a discount for displaced people. Refer yourself to free NHS Talking Therapy - CBT online, counsellors 1-2-1 face to face or zoom usually 6-8 sessions. Waterloo Community Counselling - based in London but also on Zoom and FREE for refugees and asylum seekers. Trauma Response Network - if you feel ready to address some past trauma, they offer EMDR therapy which can be very effective. Therapy is only offered in English with up to eight sessions online. The Counselling Partnership - is an independent local community charity, based in Walton. The Kingston Women’s Centre - offers women-only counselling. Ask Hanna offers counselling and wellbeing support in Ukrainian. Surrey County Council has provided a FREE membership for Ukrainians. Please email contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk for details. It’s Complicated - offers Ukrainian speaking therapists and counselling, in person and online. You can also find a private therapist. All qualified therapists should be in this Counselling Directory . Here’s a full list of support services on offer in the county of Surrey. Still not sure about therapy? This short video may help: Absolutely Not - and other thoughts you might have about mental health support . Back to top

You can support the integration of forcibly displaced people, allowing them to become contributing, thriving members of our community. Donate By donating to our work, you are directly supporting the integration of refugees, allowing them to become fully contributing, thriving members of our community. Donate money We are incredibly grateful for financial donations which allow us to continue our work. You can make a one-off donation or set up a regular direct debit. Please remember to add Gift Aid if you can. Donate via card or Paypal Prefer bank transfer or cheque? Bank transfer : please email contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk for account details. Cheque: please make these payable to Elmbridge CAN and send them to PO Box 112, East Molesey, KT8 8EN. Gift Aid: if you're a UK taxpayer, please also complete this form to allow us to claim Gift Aid and return it to contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk or by post to PO Box 112, East Molesey, KT8 8EN. How your money is helping Read our stories to find out how your money is helping some of the most vulnerable people in our society or read our latest Charity Commission report . Leave a gift in your will By remembering Elmbridge CAN in your will, you can make a lasting difference for displaced families in our community. Even a small gift helps provide welcome, support, and opportunities for those forced to flee their homes — ensuring future generations continue to find safety and hope here in Elmbridge. If you’d like to discuss legacy giving with us in confidence, please contact us by email at contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk or by phone on 07840 843449. Donate items We have no storage so unfortunately, we can only accept donations of items we currently need. See the list below which is regularly updated and if you can donate something on the list, please email materials@elmbridgecan.org.uk . Items we currently need If you have other items to donate which are not on this list, please consider giving them to other charities which may appreciate these such as Care4Calais or Shelter . Donate shares ShareGift collects small lots of shares and donates the funds created to charities. Often unwanted because they are too small to sell, these shares can be transferred to ShareGift at no cost to the shareholder, aggregated and sold to benefit different registered charities. ShareGift can also accept larger donations of shares. If you have shares that you no longer want, you can help support us by donating them to ShareGift and mentioning Elmbridge CAN. I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude... Elmbridge CAN, you have changed my life, and I am forever grateful. LA

Elmbridge CAN offers a range of free activities specifically designed for displaced people. What's on Elmbridge CAN offers a range of free activities specifically designed for displaced people. There are lots of other sports, social and cultural activities that you can participate in - many of them free of charge - in your local area. Elmbridge CAN activities Below you will find our normal term-time schedule. Classes English classes for all levels, with play helpers for children on Fridays. Tuesdays 10.00–11.30 St James Parish Centre, Weybridge KT13 8DN. Fridays 10.15-11.45 Walton Community Centre, Manor Road, Walton KT12 2PB. We sometimes run driving theory classes depending on demand - contact us for details. Drop-in hubs Come to meet others, practice your English or ask questions. Tuesdays 11.00-13.00 Weybridge Library, Church Street, Weybridge KT13 8DE. Fridays 11.00-12.30 Walton Community Centre, Manor Road, Walton KT12 2PB. St Nicholas Church, Summer Rd, Thames Ditton KT7 0QQ - by appointment only. St Andrews Church, Cobham KT11 3EJ - by appointment only. Teenagers Sports and social for displaced young people age 13-19. Thursdays 19.30-21.00 St George’s College, Weybridge KT15 2QS. Please contact us if your child would like to participate. Help with transport may be available. Other activities in the community Gym and swimming Running and walking Yoga Tennis For teenagers Cycling Cultural activities Gym and swimming Gym memberships, swimming and exercise classes are available at the XCel Leisure Complex and Hurst Pool . They offer a free 3-month membership for displaced people. After the initial 3 months, you can get a 20% discount on membership. There is a women-only swimming session on Saturdays 18.00-19.00 at Hurst Pool. Back to top Running and walking Parkrun is a free, community event where you can walk, jog or run 5 kilometres (or volunteer or spectate). It takes place every Saturday morning at 9.00 across multiple locations. Our Parks also offer free running and fitness classes in parks across the UK. Back to top Special group activities Elmbridge Borough Council Our local council runs different wellbeing activities, as well as specialist groups for resettled people. You can join in activites such as local walks, tennis, yoga and cricket. Find out more and get involved. Mary Frances Trust Mary Frances Trust is a charity which offers wellbeing activities, such as yoga and walking, community groups and courses throughout the year. Find out more about the Mary Frances Trust and how to register for their activities. Women's groups Some local groups meet and are a safe environment for women and children only. Multi-Connections group Holy Trinity Claygate Church, KT10 0JP Alternate Saturdays in term-time 11.00 -12.30 Email: belcramer@htclaygate.org Sisterhood group Wednesdays 12.30-14.30 St John's Church Walton, KT12 3JQ Yoga Yoga is more than just an exercise class. It has been proven to help with trauma symptoms. The local classes below offer a discount for displaced people (see also Mary Frances Trust above). Sport in Mind charity offers free yoga at the Xcel Leisure Centre on a Wednesday 12-1pm. You can sign up here . Yoga with Ruth in Weybridge Yoga with Florendia in Walton and Weybridge Yoga with Uzma in Cobham Back to top Tennis Displaced people in Elmbridge (and any Elmbridge residents in receipt of benefits) are eligible for a FREE tennis pass to use at any of the 12 sites operated by Parks Tennis in Elmbridge. Send an email to sign up: parkstennis@elmbridge.gov.uk . Back to top For teenagers There are a number of activities that are run especially for teens. Here are some of the local schemes - many of which are free of charge. Virtual youth space for Ukrainian kids: sessions run from 18.00 to 19.00 on the first and third Thursday of every month. For more information e-mail: ukrainiansupport@barnardos.org.uk . Football with Chelsea FC: free football training for boys and girls from age 11-17, in a variety of locations across Surrey. It is run by Premier League Kicks, funded by the Premier League through the Premier League Charitable Fund. Complete the form here (y o u can select a time and location). XCel Leisure Complex in Walton runs drop-in sessions for teens age 11-16. Contact them direct for more information. Claygate Youth and Community Hub provides free sessions for teens on Tuesdays 18.00-20.00 and Thursdays 19.00 to 21.00. They also offer youth sport sessions on Wednesdays from 18.00 to 19.30. See their website for full details. Foley Boxing Club for both boys and girls, is run by the Metropolitan Police at Imber Court, Molesey KT8 0BT. There is a charge of £5 per class, but ask for a concession if you cannot afford it. Please contact Lee Martin on 07957 829030 for more information and to book. Back to top Cycling We often get bikes donated and we can also teach people how to ride if required. Bikes are subject to availability. Please send an email to materials@elmbridgecan.org.uk to let us know your needs - age, height etc. Back to top Cultural activities Hampton Court Palace offers £1 tickets for eligible individuals. For more information and to book online visit their website . Many galleries and museums in London are free to visit. There are so many to choose from. Visit London has lots of ideas and suggestions for cheap days out. If you need help accessing any of the services on this page, then please get in touch. Back to top

As the war in Ukraine continues, there is still an urgent need for hosts for Ukrainians - including some who are already in Elmbridge. Become a host To date, over 2,000 Surrey residents have opened their homes to a Ukrainian family. As the war continues, there is still an urgent need for hosts for Ukrainians - including some who are already in Elmbridge but need to move on from their current accommodation. Could you or someone you know offer a safe place to stay? Hosting an individual or a family can be enormously rewarding and there is plenty of support available to both hosts and guests (including financial support from Elmbridge Borough Council). If you are considering hosting and would like an informal chat about how it works, please email us on contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk . You would get the chance to meet a prospective guest/s before making any commitment and would be supported through the process. Elmbridge CAN is not directly involved in hosting displaced people of other nationalities, but there are several organisations who specialise in this. See below some links to useful information for prospective hosts (of both Ukrainians and other nationalities). Useful links for prospective hosts Information on hosting Ukrainians for Elmbridge residents Information on hosting Ukrainians if you live elsewhere in Surrey This Surrey County Council guide has lots of useful information for new hosts or Ukrainian nationals who have recently arrived to live in Elmbridge, covering what you need to know in the first few days Hosting Good Practice Guide produced by NAACOM (The No Accommodation Network) Article on Tips for hosts Specialist hosting organisations RESET : a national organisation tasked with helping to match Ukrainians with UK hosts, as well as other work related to resettling forcibly displaced people, for example via the community sponsorship scheme Refugees At Home and Rooms for Refugees : both charities which connect those with a spare room in their home to forcibly displaced people (of any nationality) in need of somewhere to stay Hope at Home : a UK hosting charity specifically for survivors of modern slavery You can also see our Get help section to find out more about the help available from Elmbridge CAN. Tetiana’s and Olena's story “My family consider you part of our family,” Diane says… “we all knew at the beginning that certain things might go wrong but nothing was insoluble and we always talk things through” Read the full story Hosting a family has been so rewarding – from the joyous sight of Peppa Pig on my staircase when our own family ‘baby’ is doing A-Levels, to sharing experiences, food and culture and helping them learn English. Lesia

Olena and Tetiana: stories of hosting Ukrainians in Elmbridge Tetiana's and Olena's story ‘I have learnt how fortunate I am,’ Diane insists. ‘When I think something in life is a bit of a nuisance, I think “How dare I”. I have enjoyed everything about having them here.’ ‘We can’t imagine what they have been through,’ says Bob. ‘I love the fact that so much is happening all around us,’ Cathy adds. ‘We’ve gained far more than we’ve lost.’ Hosting Ukrainian families in the community here in Elmbridge has been a profound experience for those who have done it. Opening up a home and welcoming others into the family takes courage but it is also a hugely rewarding experience. ‘I’d been thinking about it for a while and I was in the lucky position of having space,’ Diane continues. ‘I had followed the war in the news and had been in touch with Elmbridge Council to say I’d be interested in having somebody. I had a phone call one day and I was introduced to these three people.’ These three are Tetiana and her two children, Alex (15) and Daria (11). They lived in Vinnytsia, a city in central Ukraine. When the war broke out on 24 February 2022, Tetiana’s husband stayed behind to join the military. A bomb landed at the military base just three kilometres outside the city on the first day of fighting. ‘It was six o’clock the next morning when we left,’ Alex recalls. ‘We travelled to Chernivtsi, which is a city near the Romanian border. I was the guy with the map and I had to lead two cars. I was sharing the map reading with Nikita, we’d do four hours each at a time. I was trying to figure out where to go. Across the border we found a city about 50 kilometres away.’ Nikita is a year older than Alex. He has a younger brother, Mike, who is eight, and they travelled in convoy with mum Olena, who owns a travel agency with Tetiana back in Vinnytsia. The two families are close but nothing could have prepared them for the epic journey across Europe which lasted over two months. Taking in Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Belgium and France they travelled over 3000km to reach the safety of these shores. ‘We never thought about coming to England at first,’ Alex explains. ‘I’ve always wanted to study abroad, I learnt English when I was four, then I started to learn French. I never thought about coming to the UK because it’s so hard to get a visa. I tried to learn some Czech on the way here but I didn’t really like it so I said to Mum, “Let’s go to America”. She said, “How are we going to go to America with this car?” Then Mum found on a Facebook group the Homes for Ukraine programme in the UK and we applied for that.’ Diane’s son and two daughters live locally and have been very supportive. She is a former primary school headteacher who retired from her most recent role as a director of a counselling charity and had lived alone in Weybridge for the past six years when she opened her doors to Tetiana’s family. ‘My family consider you part of our family,’ Diane says, as the five of them sit around the garden table reflecting on the events of the past year. ‘We all knew at the beginning that certain things might go wrong but nothing was insoluble and we always talk things through, we’ve become like a close family. Tetiania’s children attend school locally and feel secure and safe in their new environment. ‘Everything is good here,’ says Daria. ‘I love Di because she’s so happy every day and is always joking. Rose is a lovely dog too.’ A mile away in Oatlands, Cathy and Bob have two dogs at their home – Maisie and Lola - and the bustle of more footsteps through the door when Olena, Nikita and Mike arrived in September 2022 has been one of the many positives of this extended family. Cathy is also a recently retired primary school headteacher while Bob is still busy combining work as a part-time lecturer, local councillor and amateur cricketer. ‘After working 24/7 for 40-odd years, I like the fact that people are coming and going all the time,’ Cathy says. ‘We get on really well. When you live with people occasionally some things annoy you but not a lot, to be honest. The better you get to know people the better you can work things out. We eat separately but occasionally at weekends we’ll get a takeaway together or cook together. We love the way our two daughters have embraced the whole thing and there are times when we all go to family events together which is great. ‘We have arrangements in the house to allow independence and inter-dependence. You have to be flexible. Historically we’ve always opened our doors to people. I have two nieces from the United States who both have lived with us for a time, so we’re quite used to that sort of thing. You’ve got to not mind about sharing your house as a home for someone else, and we don’t mind that at all. You become a household that understands how you all work together and that develops over time. And the best thing is Olena’s cheesecake, she makes the best cheesecake ever!’ ‘The dogs love having more people around,’ Bob adds. ‘Olena and the boys tend to fit in with what we do. We have little rules about the house to stop things like eight-year-olds traipsing through the house with muddy shoes from the garden, but that’s part of life! I have taken both boys to an Arsenal match and we’ve also been to see their school performances. Early on I asked Mike what his teacher was like and he said, “So, so!” I don’t think he’d have learnt that turn of phrase in the Ukraine.’ ‘They help our boys with their homework sometimes which is great,’ Olena reveals. ‘I love this family and it’s an amazing place to live. For Nikita, who is older, it was difficult to settle at first but Mike doesn’t want to go back to the Ukraine, he loves it here. He does football, tennis, gymnastics, everything. We are lucky with this family as our life depends on the environment here in this home.’ Olena and Tetiana are embarking on new careers too. After leaving the travel business behind they are taking their first steps into landscape gardening after initially working at their hosts’ gardens and then expanding to the neighbours. ‘I know a lady in Ukraine who is a biologist and I got in touch with her and she helped me out about how to look after plants, treat diseases and make sure they are healthy,’ Olena explains. ‘I have 20 clients here now, and there are nearly ten of us working together.’ ‘It is difficult to plan but maybe our dream could be a landscape design company in the future,’ adds Tetiana. ‘That is the challenge, how can we make our life comfortable?’ Contributing to the community is important for Olena and Tetiana. They left a wholesome life behind and want to embrace the new world as much as possible. ‘When we came here I put my heart into it to make it an interesting trip,’ Tetiana continues. ‘It would have been very difficult to think about the bigger problem of the war in Ukraine. Sometimes I can’t understand what has happened to us and what will happen in the future and when I think about this it’s very bad for my mental health. So I think about what we have here, with Di and other very nice people nearby, my children studying in school, and a lovely garden for us, a safe place where there are no rockets flying over us.’ The war is, inevitably, a constant presence in their lives, with Nikita and Alex paying particular attention to what is happening back home. ‘I have to follow it, my Dad is in the military so I get to know all the news,’ Alex explains. ‘Dad has been in dangerous situations. He has been near the frontline at times. Then Dad started to do a role involving more paperwork so he got moved to headquarters, but he still travels to the frontline at times.’ Out of the most terrible circumstances these two families have formed a lifelong bond with their hosts in the UK. And for the hosts, this has been a fulfilling opportunity to share something incredibly precious: a home. ‘When you ask about living in the same environment, it has to be our house together - all five of us’, Cathy points out. ‘It can’t be “Our house – Bob and I – and you three are living in it”, that wouldn’t work.’ Olena and her boys will always appreciate that. And just a mile down the road, Tetiana is equally thankful that Diane has come into their lives. ‘Di has opened not just her house but also her heart and we thank her so much for that.’

Our small staff team supports and underpins the work of our volunteers. Our team Our volunteers are - and always have been - the lifeblood of our organisation. We rely heavily on our team of nearly 100 talented volunteers, who come from all walks of life and bring diverse skills and experience. Since 2022 we have built a small staff team (currently 8 members of staff - approximately 5 FTE - led by our two co-directors) to support and underpin the work of our volunteers, most of whom work part-time. They are guided by a strong and committed trustee board.

Help and support for displaced people living in Elmbridge Get help کمک بگیرید احصل على المساعدة отримай допомогу What's on Employment Finance Children Housing Transport Health Volunteer

Useful information and tools to help you get informed on the issues or take action.    Get informed To stay up-to-date on our activities you can read our recent newsletters on our Latest news page and sign up to receive future newsletters here . You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram (links at the bottom of the page). This page contains useful information and tools to help you get informed on the broader issues. National organisations Although we are a local organisation, forcibly displaced people coming to Elmbridge are of course affected by the wider issues on both a national and international scale. It helps to be informed. We recommend you check out Refugee Action or the Refugee Council , where you can find a wealth of information, including useful explainers , for example, the truth about asylum or the real facts about refugees . The sites are packed with relevant facts, statistics and stories. Alternatively, visit Citizens UK Campaigns or simply write to your local MP . Films and documentaries There are lots of great films available to help you become better informed. Here’s a few to get you started. Human Flow - 2017 Why do we have so much migration coming our way? If you want a big picture perspective, this is the one. Filmed across 23 countries by international artist and filmmaker Ai Weiwei, this film studies the global issue of migration with a completely apolitical approach. Rather, it aims to show the human side of the phenomenon, putting a face to the huge numbers of people following migration routes every year. Available to watch on Amazon Prime. Here’s the trailer . For Sama - 2019, BAFTA winner, Oscar-nominated for best documentary An intimate and visceral documentary, this multi-award-winning film is a journey though motherhood during the bombings of the Syrian civil war. Waad al-Kateab's first feature documentary is a story of love, resilience and hope, framed by suffering and harsh dilemmas. Available to watch on Channel 4 Another News Story - 2019 Directed by Verity Wislowki, shot across nine countries from Greece to Germany, the film goes behind the scenes of the news crews reporting the refugee story at the height of the European crisis. It takes the viewer to the other side of the camera and inspires us to re-evaluate our relationship with the global media and how we consume news. Available to watch on Amazon Prime . Read and share Gray Bees by Andrey Kurkov, a famous Ukrainian novelist who dramatises the conflict raging in his country with his trademark wry humour, through the adventures of a beekeeper. Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini (author of The Kite Runner). Based on a Syrian father’s reflections, while watching his sleeping son, as they await the perilous journey across the Mediterranean. Author proceeds are donated to UNHCR. Shatila Stories published by Peirene who commissioned nine refugees to tell their ‘Shatila Stories’. The result is a piece of collaborative fiction unlike any other. Read if you want to understand the chaos of the Middle East, or just to enjoy a beautiful love story. No Friend but the Mountains by Behrouz Boochani, a Kurdish journalist who was illegally detained on Manus Island and laboriously typed his story on a mobile phone. Translated from Farsi. In the Wars by Dr Waheed Arian. Feel inspired by this incredible Afghan doctor's story. Hope Not Fear by Hassan Akkad, about his harrowing experience leaving Syria and the kindness he experienced in the UK, which helped him get back on his feet and rebuild his life. Would you like to receive occasional updates on our work? Sign up to receive our newsletter .

Elmbridge CAN provides positive action for refugees. We are a community-based, volunteer-powered charity located in Elmbridge, Surrey, UK. Our mission is to welcome and support people fleeing terror in their home countries, enabling them to build a new life in Britain. Welcome We support forcibly displaced people in the Surrey borough of Elmbridge and surrounding area Elmbridge CAN is a community-based, volunteer-powered charity located in Elmbridge, Surrey, UK. Our mission is to welcome and support refugees fleeing terror in their home countries, enabling them to build a new life in Britain. About us Get help Get involved What's on Find out about our classes to learn English, opportunities to meet people and ways to access our support. Find out more Hasina's story Hasina was the Afghan Minister for Women's Affairs when the Taliban took power. She survived two assassination attempts, and had to flee Afghanistan with her family to survive. Read Hasina's story Latest news Here you can read our newsletters and find other interesting and relevant articles and updates. Find out more Make a difference From hosting to donating or volunteering, there are plenty of ways to get involved in Elmbridge. Find out more I’ve met incredible people here who are like angels, and this place feels so safe because of all you do. You never hold back on any help or support. NM

This page gives important information to help you find a job. You can also get help from our employment volunteers - contact us or attend one of our hubs to access this support.  Employment It can be daunting trying to find a job in the UK, with systems and a working culture that may be very different to those in your home country. This page gives important information to help you find a job. You can also get help from our employment volunteers - contact us or attend one of our hubs to access this support. Some key steps to success 1. Learn English as quickly as you can This is the most important thing you can do to help you integrate into the local community. 2. Think about your long-term and short-term goals Is there a way to build your interests into your work? 3. Consider training while you are learning English or waiting to find employment Speak to your Job Centre coach about free courses on offer. 4. Prepare a good CV Here are some tips to get you started. 5. Interview Practice Practice makes perfect. Get help to improve your interview skills. 6. Work Experience Having some UK work experience can really boost your CV. By volunteering or doing work experience for free, you can improve your network and it could offer you a way into paid employment. 7. Get online Most recruitment in the UK takes place online and it is important to have some basic IT skills to search for jobs and submit applications online. Local colleges and the Job Centre can help you find a course to improve your skills. 8. Persevere Try not to be too disheartened if you get many rejections or do not hear back after submitting a job application. Looking for a job There are many different ways to find a job. This can vary depending on the type of company or industry you are looking to work in. Generally, large international companies will recruit through their websites or use recruitment agencies, whereas smaller businesses may find staff through word of mouth or by direct approaches. We have collated information about different ways you can find a job. Find out more here: Online recruitment websites Company websites Linked In Ask people you know The DWP Job Centre Recruitment agencies Specialist roles Construction industry Types of employment Employment contracts UK Employment law regulates the relationship between employers and employees. It governs what employers can expect from employees, what employers can ask employees to do, and employees’ rights at work. For more information about Employee rights, please refer to ACAS . Self employment For some people self employment may be the best option. Your skills or your family commitments may mean this works for you. For example, job roles such as gardeners, taxi drivers and photographers often work in this way as they have many clients. Being self employed offers: The chance to choose your own work schedule Self-agency and accountability Personal connection with customers Independence, freedom, being one’s own boss Direct payment from clients There are a number of things you need to consider when setting up a business in the UK. Take a look at this government guide Working for yourself - GOV.UK . You can also seek advice from the Job Centre; business support services and training providers like the The Rebel School . Overseas qualifications You may wish to continue working in a similar role to your former job in your home country. To do this, employers may ask you to provide translated copies of your certificates and qualification equivalency, so your employer can see how your qualifications equate to qualifications in the UK. Sometimes, an employer will do this for you, however, it is often useful to be prepared and have this ready yourself, so you know if your qualifications are correct for a specific job role. ENIC is the UK National Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills and they offer a statement of comparability service. Translation and Certification services: There are many organisations that offer these services. If you require a recommendation, please contact us. UK Education levels When joining a course like ESOL classes at a college, the admissions team will be keen to identify your existing level of English or your qualifications. Many courses and job descriptions will also ask for a specific level of qualifications, for example, GCSEs or equivalent Level 2 qualifications or a Level 3 qualification. This website gives guidance on what the different qualifications mean: What qualification levels mean: England, Wales and Northern Ireland - GOV.UK Apprenticeships Apprenticeships are an alternative way to employment that offer you the opportunity to train as you work, so you can earn a salary while gaining a qualification. Apprenticeships are offered at various levels from school leaver (Level 2 / 3) to Degree apprenticeships (Level 6). They are available in a variety of industries including business, accountancy, healthcare, construction, hairdressing and many more. For further information on how apprenticeships work and different opportunities available please visit the government apprentice information page . Common barriers to work Childcare: For the latest information on how to find childcare and get help paying for it and what to do if your circumstances change, please refer to Get childcare: step by step - GOV.UK . Cost of finding a job: There are costs to finding work that you may find difficult to pay for, for example, work / interview clothing or travel to interviews. The DWP has funds that may be able to support you with these expenses. Please speak to your Job Centre work coach. Loss of benefits: You should not have a lower income by going to work. For up to date information, please check the government’s Universal Credit webpage. Long term unemployment: Restart is a programme offered by the Job Centre, specifically for individuals who have been out of work for more than 12 months. If you think you are eligible for this programme and would like the opportunity to join, please contact your work coach. If you have any specific questions that are not answered here, please attend one of our drop-in hubs or get in touch by email at contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk and we will connect you with one of our employment volunteers. Looking for a job There are many different ways to find a job. This can vary depending on the type of company or industry you are looking to work in. Generally, large international companies will recruit through their websites or use recruitment agencies, whereas smaller businesses may find staff through word of mouth or by direct approaches. We have collated information about different ways you can find a job. Find out more below. Online recruitment websites Many job vacancies are advertised through online recruitment websites. Think about the keywords you put in to search engines like Google to ensure you find the most suitable job vacancies for you. Reed - Jobs and Recruitment on Reed.co.uk, the UK's #1 job site Indeed - Finding a job | Indeed.com Total Jobs - Jobs are our job | Totaljobs Back to top Company websites Most companies and international organisations advertise their job vacancies on their own websites. Search on the internet for companies you know and look on their careers pages. For example: www.jobsatamazon.co.uk www.tesco-careers.com/search-and-apply https://costacareers.co.uk Careers at P&G United Kingdom Back to top Linked In LinkedIn is an extremely popular online professional network that you can use to search for a job. If you set up a LinkedIn profile, you can then use LinkedIn to find the right job or internship, connect and strengthen professional relationships, and learn professional skills. Here’s some help with how to set up a profile: How to use LinkedIn 7 Tips On How To Use LinkedIn For Beginners Back to top Ask people you know Most companies and international organisations advertise their job vacancies on their own websites. Search on the internet for companies you know and look on their careers pages. For example: www.jobsatamazon.co.uk www.tesco-careers.com/search-and-apply https://costacareers.co.uk Careers at P&G United Kingdom Back to top The DWP Job Centre The Job Centre works with local employers and training providers to try to help people into work. Attend their job fairs, speak to your work coach and look at the notice boards in the Centre for the latest opportunities. Back to top Recruitment agencies Recruitment agencies can be national or local and offer job vacancies across many industry sectors. They can also specialise in a specific sector. Local agencies give you the opportunity to meet with the recruiters in person and will often have vacancies in the immediate area. National recruiters Request a call back | Michael Page External job board - AMS Examples of specialist recruiters HomeOrganisers | Housekeeper and Nanny Placements - HomeOrganisers Manufacturing & Engineering Recruitment | Martin Veasey Talent Solutions Health and Social Care Jobs | Search Jobs | Safehands Recruitment Milkround | Graduate Jobs, Schemes & Internships Surrey recruitment agencies March Recruitment Leading Recruitment Agency in Surrey & Sussex | The Recruitment Consultancy Back to top Specialist roles Specialist roles may require a different approach when searching for a job. For example, medical professionals, dentists, and teachers may need to undertake a period of retraining to practice in the UK. In the first instance, it is useful to approach the industry regulators to understand the process you must follow for your profession. General Medical Council: Full registration for international medical graduates - GMC General Dental Council: Overseas Registration Examination British Dental Association: Overseas dentists working in the UK Teaching for Internationally qualified teachers: A fairer approach to awarding QTS to overseas teachers - GOV.UK Apply for qualified teacher status (QTS) if you teach outside the UK - GOV.UK For some there are opportunities to receive loans or grants to help fund your training, exams and fees. Take a look at these organisations to see if you are eligible: Ruth Hayman Trust ReAccreditation Loans— RefuAid Back to top Construction industry Construction workers must complete a CSCS course to acquire a card to authorise them to work on building sites in the UK. These courses vary by profession ie plumbers, bricklayers, labourers etc, however the key focus is on ensuring best health and safety practice on site. Applying for CSCS cards | Official CSCS Website Back to top

Jay recounts how she and her family fled Afghanistan under persecution and were given a safe home in Elmbridge. Jay's story Persecuted in Afghanistan for their religion, Jay and her husband had to make the difficult choice to leave their birth country to protect their family. She had no idea that she would end up in the UK. Theirs is a story of a long journey with tragic loss along the way, yet ultimate sanctuary and integration into Elmbridge, where they finally feel safe.