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We are proud to partner with these organisations and are enormously grateful to them for funding our work. We are proud to partner with the following organisations, and are enormously grateful to them for funding our work. Who we work with We are proud to partner with the following organisations, and are enormously grateful to them for funding our work. A charitable foundation which works with local partners to tackle poverty and inequality in Elmbridge, Surrey. We work closely with our local borough council, which holds the primary responsibility for resettling refugees locally. The Community Foundation brings together local donors and those acting to provide positive solutions for local people and disadvantaged individuals. The National Lottery Community Fund distributes over £600m a year to communities across the UK, raised by players of the National Lottery. Shanly Foundation is funded entirely by the Shanly Group of companies and donates over £1.75m every year to community causes across the South East of England. The Postcode Society Trust is a grant-giving charity funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, supporting projects that strengthen communities and improve lives. We also work closely with a growing and varied network of other organisations, including charities, government agencies, faith groups, schools and companies. They all have a key role to play in supporting displaced people, and we achieve more by working together. We also work with a growing and varied network of other organisations, including charities, government agencies, faith groups, schools and companies. They all have a key role to play in supporting displaced people, and we achieve more by working together. Here are some more of our strategic partners: City of Sanctuary is a network of communities, councils, schools and libraries that provide support and opportunity to people seeking sanctuary in the UK. Elmbridge CAN is proud to be a long-standing member of the City of Sanctuary movement. Big Leaf is a local charitable foundation which provides a nurturing programme of activities, projects and events, focussing on combating social isolation and improving wellbeing for displaced young people in Surrey. CSVA is a charity aiming to support and shape best practice in volunteering and social action in Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell and Mole Valley. Specifically, they help to promote our volunteering opportunities and undertake DBS checks on our behalf. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership community for charities, voluntary organisations and community groups in England. It helps voluntary organisations achieve their greatest impact. Elmbridge CAN is a member of NCVO.

Information about the UK education system and childcare options for children. Children In the UK, education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 and 16. There are five stages of education: Early years Primary Secondary Further Education (FE) Higher Education - university (HE) Education Further Education is not compulsory and includes any study after secondary education that is not taken as part of an undergraduate or graduate degree. Courses range from basic English and Maths to Higher National Diplomas (HND). Higher Education is study beyond A levels and their equivalent which, for most full-time students, takes place in universities and colleges. Primary and secondary school: registering your child in a local school and other information How does my child apply for higher education courses and university? Childcare for young children What childcare support do I get for my pre-school children in the UK? Holiday activities What kids clubs and holiday activities are available for my children? After school clubs Once your child reaches school age, you might be able to use Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit childcare to financially support pre and after school care (known as wraparound care). If you need extra childcare support to work or your children are full of energy; keen to make new friends or looking for a new hobby, there are many activities available for children after school in the Elmbridge area. The first place to ask about after school clubs would be your child’s school. There are lots of other activities in Elmbridge to keep children busy. See our What’s On page for more information. Additional childcare support More information on where to find extra support: Surrey County Council Choosing Childcare . Free Parenting Course - Surrey County Council delivers courses to support parents (with children of different ages) through the complexities of parenting. Spurgeons - Elmbridge Family Centre Services Spurgeons support families with parenting children age 0-11. Home-Start Elmbridge - Home Start provide support to families in Elmbridge. Tutoring Elmbridge CAN works with a small number of volunteer tutors who provide free, one-to-one tutoring support in a variety of subjects including English, Maths and Science. We are a small team, and often fully booked, so we may not be able immediately to meet your child’s needs. If you would like to be added to our waiting list, please get in touch by emailing contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk giving your child’s name, age, school year and the subject they are looking for help in. In addition to our face-to-face tutors, we also work closely with the sixth form of a local school whose students offer online tutoring for students up to GCSE level. If this would be of interest, please get in touch. Revision support for secondary school children There are many online apps and resources that can help your child with their revision. Please make sure you check the GCSE exam board you are studying ie AQA, Edexcel, OCR, before using the websites or revision books to ensure you are focusing on the correct content. Still no answer to your question? Surrey Family Information Service (FIS) is a free impartial information and signposting service for families with children aged 0 to 25. We can help you find organisations and services that may be able to support your family including information about childcare, finances, parenting and activities in your local area. www.surreycc.gov.uk/children/support-and-advice/families

The history of Elmbridge CAN since it started in 2015. Elmbridge CAN - our history Since forming in 2016, Elmbridge CAN has grown in strength and size, currently supporting over 330 families who have fled conflict or persecution. “It was a response to what was happening in Syria,” Elmbridge CAN co-director Jeannie Tweedie explains. “We connected through social media initially and then a group of us met up in a pub to work out what we could do. The first significant thing we did was organise a meeting in collaboration with the local authority and invited various stakeholders along.” The council agreed to take part in the Syrian Resettlement Scheme, so the most urgent work Elmbridge CAN undertook was finding hosts for refugees. In 2017, the first family arrived in Elmbridge. Housed in Oxshott without a car, an environment culturally very different to Syria, the local community rallied around. Today, some of those children from that family are young adults, studying at university. “What is amazing is when you see a family or individual transform their lives,” Jeannie reflects. “We support them and walk beside them if they want us to, but it is they who do it.” The early priorities of the organisation involved getting houses ready for new arrivals; often laborious work sourcing furniture. Gradually more families arrived and, by 2018 when Elmbridge CAN registered as a charity, roughly 30 Syrians had been resettled alongside other nationalities. Among them was Nurettin, a Turkish asylum seeker, who rebuilt his life in the IT industry where his expertise lay prior to fleeing his country. He has since become a trustee of the charity. “What every arrival has in common is that they have lost their home, their familiarity, their security and the feeling of belonging somewhere,” Jeannie adds. “There is a cultural adjustment to deal with. It’s hugely variable, but they all have that loss in common.” So, creating an infrastructure became a key part of Elmbridge CAN’s work. An English class was launched, recruiting volunteers who got busy helping with one-to-one English lessons, supporting children’s learning and helping people find jobs. Over 40 hours of tutoring and homework help are delivered each week. When Ayram left Syria at the age of seven she joined 100,000 others fleeing persecution at a refugee camp in Jordan. Eleven years later she is studying Law at the University of Surrey. Elmbridge CAN has thrived through its adaptability. In August 2021, the fall of Afghanistan meant that - almost overnight - approximately 200 Afghans arrived locally. Each had been part of a deeply traumatic evacuation. They were placed in hotel accommodation in Thames Ditton. “We stepped up, as did the local community, many of whom joined us as volunteers,” Jeannie recalls. “We organised clothing and toy deliveries. We set up whole family ESOL classes in the hotel, as it took around a term for school places to be found for the children. We held Eid parties and started a sewing group for the women. “We have a volunteer called Tim who is our bike guy. He mends bikes when people donate them and they are incredibly useful for people. It really makes a difference. We’ve had women who’ve had the opportunity to learn how to ride a bike for the first time.” Elmbridge CAN took on further responsibilities when the council-employed support worker left, meaning statutory support for the Syrians now came under the umbrella of the organisation. With that, and funding from Walton Charity for an administrator, Elmbridge CAN was able to employ its first staff. In February 2022, the invasion of Ukraine forced many Ukrainians to flee. The local community welcomed over 600 displaced Ukrainians, mainly women and children. Elmbridge CAN volunteers organised weekly welcome hubs and the local council issued a contract for the charity to employ two Ukrainian-speaking integration workers. “They got busy with re-matching people who needed new hosts,” Jeannie recalls. “We had to put together an infrastructure capable of moving an organisation from being one that supported 30 families, to one that currently supports over 350.” The charity set up two community English classes in different locations. Together with its hubs, and one-to-one volunteer placements, they meet the needs of displaced families. For some individuals, the charity provides a high-needs case service led by experienced integration workers. Other people may simply need practical support. “One little girl had the biggest smile on her face after we gave her an electronic keyboard,” says Jeannie. “We have a common humanity around the world for our children. Many families have come here because of their children. We work not just with those who have come through resettlement schemes, but those who have had to come through the asylum route. Our aim remains the same as when we started: to welcome.” The next step is to secure the organisation’s future in a changing world. “We’ve had to be quite reactive in the past and there’s always that uncertainty about the environment we are in,” Jeannie concludes. “We have built something important and we want to make that sustainable. We’ve had growth without planning it so we can grow further with planning, but we need it to be properly resourced. It’s about bringing the community together.”

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

A story about students from Syria who Elmbridge CAN have supported Syrian students Ayram is 18 years old now, studying law at the University of Surrey in Guildford. It is a dream that once seemed impossible when she fled a burning Syrian refugee camp at the age of seven. Never far from her thoughts is Areej, her neighbour and best friend who never made it out of the camp. ‘Sometimes I feel like I am doing this for her,’ Ayram explains. ‘When we were together, we used to talk about schools because we had no education in the camps.” Ayram and her two sisters left their home in Damascus when the Syrian War became so intense in the city that their parents were left with no other option than finding a way out. ‘There was literally no choice for us,’ Ayram continues. ‘Originally, we thought it would be a few weeks of protest and everything would go back to normal. But people started dying in ground attacks around us and there were airstrikes and bombings, with buildings all around us collapsing. The family headed south and crossed the border into Jordan where they spent six weeks at the Zaatari Refugee Camp, which at one point was home to over 100,000 refugees. It was a brutal and overcrowded environment where nobody was safe. ‘The Syrian regime would send people to attack the camps. They would pretend to be refugees but then they would set fire to the camps. Our tent burnt but we managed to escape, as my dad was awake at the time and he got us all out. But Areej’s family next to us didn’t get out. It was a really hard thing to witness and I will never forget it.’ Mohammed, 19, and Ali, 18, are brothers from Kobani, close to Syria’s northern border with Turkey. The small city and its surrounding area came under attack from Islamic State in September 2014. The Siege of Kobani lasted for five months and had a devastating human impact, leading to over 300,000 Kurdish refugees being displaced to Turkey. Mohammed and Ali had left home with their mother and three other brothers in search of safety, several months before the IS attack. They joined their father in Erbil, Kurdistan, where he had found work in the construction industry. ‘It was emotional leaving our home, saying goodbye to our grandparents,’ Ali recalls. ‘We didn’t know if we’d see them again and now it’s been over 10 years since I’ve seen them.’ ‘We were lucky,’ Mohammed insists. ‘But all my cousins and their families struggled a lot. My grandparents still live in Kobani now. At the moment it is safe, but you can never really call it safe as you never know when something will start up again.’ Mohammed is studying accountancy and finance at Oxford Brookes University while Ali is taking a biomedical science degree at University of Westminster. Along with Ayram, they represent the successes of the Syrian resettlement programme and demonstrate what can be achieved with the right support network. Mohammed and Ali arrived in Surrey in August 2017 after spending three years in Kurdistan. After leaving Zaatari Refugee Camp, Ayram spent five years in Jordan, where her education suffered, before being resettled to the UK in March 2018. ‘We arrived at night and were so tired when we got here,’ Ayram says. ‘I remember falling asleep in the clothes I was wearing. I woke up the next day and looked out of the window and it had been snowing. I had never seen snow before. I just thought it would be like this a lot of the time, but it hasn’t snowed since!’ None of the new arrivals spoke English when they came to the country, but that soon changed. ‘When I first came here, I was doing a sort of sign language to socialise with people,’ Ayram adds. ‘Everyone was so nice, they wanted to help me understand. We used Google Translate sometimes. Everyone did their best to put me in a comfortable situation and that really helped. It made me think, “Okay, I’m not hated here”. I knew I could take my time to get it right, and within a year I could speak English.’ ‘When you are in a school with English people you catch on really quickly,’ Mohammed adds. ‘It was challenging being in a new country with new people but I’m quite a social person. I used to play every sport at school and then I played football out of school for Oxshott Royals as a left winger. I played with them for a few seasons and I met loads of people that way.’ ‘I have Elmbridge CAN to thank for all the help they gave us with homework,’ says Ali. ‘We were able to bring an adult translator in for the lessons at first. After school a volunteer called Carly helped me, tutoring me twice a week with chemistry and maths. Then Sue used to take us shopping because we didn't have a car, that was so helpful. They have so many volunteers who provide support.’ That assistance gave Ali the confidence to visit another school in Oxshott and give a charity talk to the other pupils about his journey from Syria, to Kurdistan and finally the UK. Education has opened up a new life to all three of them and that has not been something these young students have taken for granted. ‘Since I was little, I have always dreamed about going to university and having this amazing life’ Ayram continues. ‘When we went to Jordan, the Syrians there were not allowed to work so Mum and Dad could not continue their jobs. We had to survive off anything we could. Coming here, that whole dream of university returned. My dad has been able to work again too. I have always wanted to help people. Elmbridge CAN has played a big part in helping us so I want to give back to society and help. To be a human rights lawyer or an immigration lawyer would be great, to go around the world and help people. Some people can’t afford lawyers so I’d like to be able to help those who struggle. I can help in places where there is need, maybe even refugee camps one day.’ Ali hopes his degree will lead to a career in dentistry. He remembers his brothers having painful tooth extraction treatment without access to the right medical care before they came to the UK. Mohammed has always been good with numbers and is planning for a career as a chartered accountant in London. ‘At the beginning of uni when we had our ‘ice breakers’ chats and I told the other students I was from Syria they were surprised,’ Ayram reveals. ‘Some were saying, “Oh My God, what happened? Tell us your story.” Some people already knew quite a bit about what happened in Syria but others knew nothing at all. I like talking about it because it is part of my experience in life, and what happened drove me here.’ Ayram thinks back to her childhood conversations in the refugee camp and perhaps the biggest inspiration of all, her friend Areej. ‘We used to say, “We can go to school when we get out of here”. Education is my way to survive in this world. We dreamed about this, so I am doing this for me and for her.’

Sign up to our newsletter for more information about the work of Elmbridge CAN Latest news Here you can read our latest newsletters, which we issue roughly once per quarter. You can register to receive future newsletters here . If you want to get informed about the bigger picture, head to our Get informed page . Our newsletters Our April 2026 newsletter focussed on a special exhibition to celebrate 10 years of Elmbridge CAN, showcasing the work of some talented artists we've supported. Our February 2026 newsletter gave an update on the year so far and announced our upcoming 10-year anniversary! Read more here. Our mid-December 2025 newsletter gave a brief round-up of the year's activities and focussed on our recent Christmas party for supported families, with lots of lovely photos. Occasionally we send an additional newsletter on a specific issue or campaign - the early December 2025 edition urged supporters to help us smash our Big Give target of £10,000. With their help, WE DID IT!! We're so very grateful to everyone who pledged, donated and shared our campaign. In our October 2025 newsletter we gave an update on the Big Give Christmas Challenge and on our work in 2025 so far. We also highlighted Hasina's Story. Our August 2025 newsletter called for your help: "we're eligible for Champion Funding from The Big Give this Christmas! That means any donation given to us between 2nd and 9th December 2025 will be match-funded and will give our charity the funding boost it needs. If someone donates £50 this December, Elmbridge CAN will get £100." In our June 2025 newsletter we focussed on: celebrating volunteers' week and our talented volunteers some simple ways you can contribute hosting opportunities. 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

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 and other food help Foodbank vouchers 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. There are also other local schemes in place to help individuals and families to get food cheaply or for free: The Surplus Market - is open every Saturday and Sunday 11.30 am to 1:00 pm to the entire community at Sunbury Cricket Club, TW16 5PS. Simply turn up, fill your bags and make a donation. 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.

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.

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

We have created a full guide for you to understand the different transport options in Elmbridge. Transport The public transport network of trains and buses can be confusing for new arrivals to Elmbridge. We have created a full guide for you to understand the different options and help you get around the local area: Public transport information sheet Homes for Ukraine (H4U) temporary bus pass scheme Surrey County Council has worked with bus companies in Surrey to set up this scheme. It offers those who arrived on the H4U scheme a free bus pass for 6 months for travel on their most used bus route. Participating companies include Stagecoach, Compass, Metrobus, Falcon, White Bus and Reptons. Find out more details and how to apply here . Driving in the UK Can I use my driving licence issued by my home country? This government webpage has a tool you can use to see if you can drive in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) on your licence issued by another country. In most cases, you can drive any type of small vehicle (for example cars or motorcycles) listed on your licence for 12 months from when you first arrived in Great Britain. However, Ukrainians (who entered on a Ukraine visa scheme) can continue driving here for three years from arrival. After the end of this period, you will need to either exchange your licence for a UK licence or pass theory and practical tests to acquire a UK licence. Visit this page to find out how to do this. Can I drive my car that I brought with me from another country? Generally you will be allowed to drive your car for up to six months. After that time you must “import” your vehicle which involves registering and taxing it. See this government webpage for more detail on the process. How can I get a UK driving licence? You will need to follow these steps in order to get a UK driving licence. This includes applying for a provisional licence, and passing both a theory test and a practical test. Elmbridge CAN runs driving theory lessons, visit our What’s On page to find out more. We recommend these books to help you pass the theory test: The Official DVSA Highway Code The Official DVSA Guide to Driving There are also various apps which can help, such as the Official DVSA theory test kit. You can buy and download this using these links: App for iOS / Apple App for Android eLearning platform (to use on a tablet, computer or mobile device) Once you are learning to drive, there are videos on YouTube which can help you, such as these: DGN Driving Drive London How expensive is it to run a car? The AA (Automobile Association) has published some useful guidance on the cost of running a car, here . In addition to the cost of buying and maintaining the car, and the cost of fuel, there are various other costs to consider - including tax, insurance and MOT (annual safety check), all of which are mandatory in the UK. Oxshott Care This local charity arranges lifts for Oxshott residents to medical appointments. They may be able to help with lifts to other important appointments, and with shopping and picking up prescriptions. See their website for more details or call them on 07950 478329 (phone line open from 9am to 12pm Monday to Friday. You can also leave a message).

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 refugees in Elmbridge requires teamwork. We need help from all kinds of organisations and individuals 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 "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. Read their story 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

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