Search Results

Useful information and tools to help you get informed on the issues or take action.    Get informed This page has some useful information and tools to help you get informed on the issues or take action. Look for the latest petitions or write to your MP Whilst we are a local organisation, there are various national campaigns that affect forcibly displaced people coming to Elmbridge. You can always find useful petitions to sign at Refugee Action or 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. England - Poems From A School has some incredibly moving short poems about the refugee experience, including the one that went viral on Facebook. 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 for 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 people 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 Ukrainian sunflowers Read the inspiring story of three Ukrainian women who set up their own gardening company. Find out more 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

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 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. Driving theory classes are also available on Tuesdays - contact us for details. Drop-in hubs Come to meet others, practice your English or ask questions. Tuesdays 10.00-12.30 Weybridge Community Centre, Churchfield House, KT13 8DB. St Nicholas Church, Summer Rd, Thames Ditton KT7 0QQ - by appointment only. Thursdays 13.00-14.30 Walton Community Centre, Manor Road, Walton KT12 2PB. St Andrews Church, Cobham KT11 3EJ - by appointment only. If you are new to our Weybridge or Walton hub, contact us first to let us know you are coming, but if you can't do that please come anyway! Teenagers Sports and social for displaced young people age 13-19. Thursdays 19.30-21.00 St George’s College, Weybridge KT15 2QS. Mini-bus pickups from Walton and Weybridge. Please contact us if your child would like to participate. 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 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: 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. 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

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

We have a large network of volunteers who come from all walks of life and have different expertise, but they all share a passion to use their skills to support our displaced community. Volunteer We have a large network of volunteers who come from all walks of life and have different expertise, but they all share a passion to use their skills to support our displaced community. We couldn’t do what we do without their help. We want all our volunteers to feel valued and supported and to enjoy the experience. We hold regular volunteer get-togethers and training sessions, and offer support and supervision as needed. Volunteering with Elmbridge CAN and especially Oxana and her family has been incredibly rewarding for me. I have not only developed a great new connection but I also feel a sense of purpose and usefulness in being able to impart my local knowledge and use my network to help such a lovely, hard-working family. Charlotte We are always looking for new volunteers, particularly those who can fill our current vacancies - see list below. If you’re interested in any of these roles, please complete our application form . If your profile doesn’t match any of these roles but you’re enthusiastic and committed, please fill in the form anyway and we’ll be in touch for an informal chat about how you could contribute. We're sorry but we can't generally accept applications from under 18s (except in very limited circumstances where they are accompanied by a parent). Current volunteer vacancies Trustees We are looking for new trustees to join our dedicated trustee board. We are particularly interested in individuals who have a background in one of these areas: charity trusteeship, other third sector management, safeguarding or risk management. We always very much welcome applications from people who have experience of being displaced or of the UK asylum system. More detailed information is available here . Please apply by CV and covering letter to contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk . Community fundraisers Fundraising is always a key priority, so we can remain sustainable and keep supporting as many displaced people as possible, who desperately need our help. We would love to hear from anyone who would like to organise local community fundraisers. This could be anything from bake sales to social events - tell us your ideas and we'll do our best to support you! Handypersons If you have good DIY skills and some time to spare, we'd love to hear from you! We often help people setting up new homes, with practical matters such as building or adapting furniture and putting up curtains. This is a valuable role which makes a real difference to families. Van owners We are always looking for drivers with vans or large vehicles to help with house moves or ad hoc deliveries. Please let us know if this could be you. ESOL teachers and subject-specific tutors Our clients want to learn English, so they can make friends, find work and access essential services. Their children want to study, so they can build a better future and enjoy opportunities their parents never had. Read our story about young people from Syria who are living examples of this. If you're a qualified ESOL teacher, or an experienced teacher of GCSE level Maths, English, Science, and/or any A level subjects, we'd love to hear from you. We would also consider young adult tutors who have recently sat these exams. Employment mentors We are looking for more volunteers to work one-to-one with clients to help them get a foot on the employment ladder. Some of our employment mentors have a background in HR or recruitment but this is not essential; sharing your own experience of the recruitment process is often enough. Translators and interpreters We are always keen to hear from prospective volunteers with knowledge of the main languages spoken by our clients, such as Ukrainian, Russian, Arabic, Farsi, Pashto or Dari. Volunteer expenses We recognise that volunteers will incur expenses and we aim to reimburse all reasonable expenses as swiftly and simply as possible, while maintaining adequate controls. To find out more, please read our volunteer expense policy . Elmbridge CAN has made a big difference to me and my family. Many, many thanks to all the volunteers. Oxana

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 forcibly displaced people, 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 . 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 . I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude... Elmbridge CAN, you have changed my life, and I am forever grateful. LA

Find out more about the work of Elmbridge CAN by signing up for our newsletter. Newsletter sign up We send newsletters by email roughly every quarter, to update our supporters on our activities. Occasionally we run an emergency appeal, in which case we would send an additional newsletter focussing on that. You can find all our recent newsletters on our Latest news page . Our pledge to you: We won't bombard you with emails We will keep your data safe and secure We won't share your data without permission You can opt out at any time Newsletter sign up First name* Last name* Email* Subscribe You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by emailing contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk . We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform and by clicking the subscribe button, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy policy here . Subject to the above, we will never share your data with third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so. For more detail on how we use your data see our privacy policy .

There are lots of ways to get involved and support our work. Get involved There are lots of ways you can get involved in our work, from hosting a family to volunteering Transforming the lives of forcibly displaced people will require a team effort. We need all kinds of organisations and individuals in Elmbridge to make it happen – from businesses and schools, to charities and churches. There are lots of ways you can get involved in our work. Volunteer Become a host Donate Get informed Rent your property Newsletter sign up Homes for Ukraine Read our story about Tetiana's and Olena's experiences. Find out more What's on Find out about our classes to learn English, opportunities to meet people and ways to access our support. Find out more Read our Impact Report We share our challenges and successes in supporting over 250 families from diverse countries including Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine. Find out more I would like to express my gratitude to all members of your team for their help, understanding and support to people who find themselves in a difficult life situation, you find a way out of each seemingly insoluble problem... your work deserves respect and gratitude that are difficult to express in words. Iryna

Sign up to our newsletter for more information about the work of Elmbridge CAN Latest news Here you can read our quarterly newsletters and other interesting and relevant articles. Our newsletters Our December 2024 newsletter featured: The story of three remarkable Syrian teenagers Feedback from our client survey An update on our ongoing collaboration with St George’s College, Weybridge In our September 2024 newsletter we covered: Our recent ‘culture kitchen’ event A second collaboration with Balfour Beatty, offering practical careers advice to Elmbridge CAN clients Our vacancy for a new Ukrainian integration worker Read our June 2024 newsletter to find out about: How we’ve been supporting young people as they work towards their all-important GCSE and A Levels Our co-director, Jeannie Tweedie’s interview on Greatest Hits local radio, as part of a piece marking World Refugee Day How a team of our volunteers transformed the garden of a resettled Afghan family Our March 2024 newsletter focussed on our new Impact Report, detailing our achievements in 2023. Our January 2024 newsletter highlighted: The upcoming screening of the fascinating film ‘On Our Doorstep’ at the Riverhouse Barn + panel discussion What’s involved in becoming a host A young Syrian woman’s story about leaving her birth country, as told to local young people Elmbridge CAN has been a great support to me... They have supported me financially and emotionally as well as helped with documents that are related to bills, hospitals, school etc. They have also helped me in finding a place to live and helped me with getting food and travel. I really appreciate their help as without them I would have been lost and homeless. PU

Contact Elmbridge CAN by email or fill in this form. Contact us Sign up to receive our newsletter or contact us if you have a specific enquiry. We’d love to hear from you! Sign up to our newsletter Contact us First name* Last name Email* Message Submit Other ways to contact Elmbridge CAN Email: contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk Write to us : PO Box 112, East Molesey, KT8 8EN. You can also find us on:

Elmbridge CAN has helped hundreds of families to build new lives in Elmbridge. Here you can read some of their stories and find out how we've contributed.  Stories Elmbridge CAN has helped hundreds of families to build new lives in Elmbridge. Here you can read some of their stories and find out how we've contributed. Ukrainian sunflowers From arriving in the UK with next to nothing, to establishing a successful gardening business. Read how three Ukrainian women have joined forces and rebuilt their lives in Elmbridge. Find out more "Education is my way to survive" Imagine arriving to live in a new country with no knowledge of the language. A few years later, you are studying at university, with clear career goals. This is the story of Ali, Mohammed and Ayram. Find out more Jay’s story Jay recounts how she and her family fled Afghanistan under persecution, and were given a safe home in Elmbridge. Watch the video here. Find out more Nadia's story Following her flight from Saudi Arabia, Nadia spent seven months living in a small hotel room in Stevenage, until finally she found a host in Elmbridge. But still there were problems to overcome. Read her story here. Find out more Elmbridge CAN saved me. It's like when you are so terribly anxious, and then suddenly everything gets better. I was showered with kindness. I cannot thank them enough. Nadia

Information about managing your finances in the UK - covering benefits, council tax, assistance with costs related to children, and other sources of support. Finance This page provides information about managing your finances in the UK - covering benefits, council tax, assistance with costs related to children, and other sources of support. You may also qualify for a small emergency grant from Elmbridge CAN - read on for more details. Please note that most of the information below is only relevant if you have permission to remain in the UK. For information about the UK asylum system, including related financial support, see Right to Remain . UK Benefits System If you have access to public funds in the UK, including if you have refugee status or are here under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and you are on a low income, you can get help from the benefits system. You can find information about how to apply for Universal Credit on this government website: Universal Credit . To get information about what help you might be entitled to, you can use a benefits calculator such as Tackling Financial Insecurity Together or Benefits Calculator . If you don't yet have a UK bank account: If a claimant does not have a bank account at the time they are making a new claim to Universal Credit and if there is no option to say they don't have a bank account, the following steps should be followed: during the new claim add 6 zeros (000000) for the sort code and 8 zeros (00000000) for the bank account number - this will need to be done 4 times to progress the claim. If you are receiving Universal Credit, it is very important to keep them informed of any changes of circumstance you have, such as a new address or a new job. Depending on your circumstances, you might be able to get short-term additional help with rental costs from Elmbridge Borough Council through a discretionary housing payment. Information is available on the Elmbridge Council website: Discretionary Housing Payment . Help with Council Tax Council tax is payable on all rented or privately owned houses in the UK. You can find details about how to set up an account on the Elmbridge Council website: Council Tax . Homes for Ukraine Scheme guests are entitled to a 50% discount on their council tax in Elmbridge - you need to let the Council know that you would like to apply for this. All those on low incomes and with recourse to public funds are also able to apply for a council tax discount via the council's website: Council Tax Support . There are also discounts available to all single adult households - you can apply for this via your online account with Elmbridge Borough Council. Additional Sources of Support You can find a list of organisations in Surrey which can help with the cost of living here: Cost of living support . Elmbridge CAN small grants These grants are available on a discretionary basis to forcibly displaced people who are living in Elmbridge and are registered with us. We generally prioritise people with no access to public funds, such as asylum seekers. Grants may be available where there is emergency hardship, or for short-term needs such as school uniform or ESOL class fees. We can also sometimes help with material items such as bikes, and laptops where these are needed for essential study or similar. Please get in touch on contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk if you would like to apply to this fund. Foodbank vouchers These are available via Elmbridge CAN to those in need of short-term help with food and essentials such as toiletries. Please get in touch or visit us at a hub for more information. The Elmbridge Eco Hub They are based in Walton, have a community fridge and often have free food available to collect, as well as providing other items and sources of support . You do not need a referral - just go along. See Elmbridge Eco Hub for more details . Broadband If you are on a low income you may be able to get cheaper broadband through a social tariff. See Ofcom Social tariffs: Cheaper broadband and phone packages for more details. For general information on how to save money in the UK see Money Saving Expert . Childcare and Costs Relating to Children Universal credit may pay some of your childcare costs when you go to work: Universal Credit childcare costs . Families on a low income may be entitled to free nursery places for two year olds. For more information see: Free education and childcare for 2-year-olds if you claim certain benefits . See Childcare Choices: 15 and 30 hours childcare for more information on government help with childcare costs (15 hours for children aged between nine months and two years, and an additional 15 hours for three and four year olds). Free school meals are available for all children in Reception to Year 2 in a state-maintained school. Free school meals are also available to children on certain qualifying benefits, see Apply for free school meals for how to apply. If your child receives free school meals, then they should also receive some free holiday camp days during the school holidays under the Holiday activities and food programme . Contact your school to ask about this, and speak to Elmbridge CAN if you have any problems. If you have no access to public funds your child may still be able to access free school meals - speak your school to ask, and get in touch with us if you have any problems. School uniforms If you are struggling with the cost of school uniforms, speak to your school in the first instance as they may be able to help you. If they are not able to, please let us know, as we may be able to support you or help you access other sources of support such as The Bridge in Walton or Stripey Stork . Please let us know if you are struggling financially, we may be able to help or refer you to other sources of support.