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.

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. As the chosen charity of the Mayor of Elmbridge for her term of office from May 2026 until 31 March 2027, we are raising money for the Mayor of Elmbridge's charity campaign which will ultimately be split between Elmbridge CAN (90%) and The Mayor of Elmbridge's Trust Fund (10%). Please use the buttons below to donate either directly to Elmbridge CAN, or to the Mayor of Elmbridge's charity campaign. Donate directly to Elmbridge CAN Donate to Mayor of Elmbridge charity campaign Prefer bank transfer or cheque? Note: your donations will go direct to Elmbridge CAN unless you tell us you want to donate to the Mayor of Elmbridge's charity campaign. 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

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. May 2026: newly appointed Mayor of Elmbridge, Judy Sarsby, is a long-time volunteer with Elmbridge CAN. Find out what volunteering means to Judy. 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 keen to welcome new volunteers, especially to help fill our current vacancies listed below. If none of these roles feels like a perfect fit but you are enthusiastic, reliable and motivated to support our work, we would still love to hear from you. Many of our roles are flexible and can be shaped around your interests, skills and availability. To get started, complete our application form and we’ll be in touch for an informal chat about how you could get involved. All new volunteers must go through our onboarding and induction process before they can start, which includes a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check and references. Please note that we are usually unable to accept applications from under-18s, except in very limited circumstances where a parent or guardian is involved. Current volunteer vacancies Teaching and mentoring roles We are always looking for volunteers who can support English language learning and help displaced people develop the skills needed for everyday life in the UK. These roles are generally flexible and can be adapted to suit you. Current needs include: English class teachers 121 English conversation volunteers Experienced GCSE and A-level tutors – particularly for Maths, English and Science (we also welcome applications from young adults who have recently taken these exams) Basic digital skills volunteers – some of the people we support have limited experience using everyday technology such as smartphones, apps and email. They need help getting started - you don't have to be a techie for this one! Welcome volunteers – supporting new arrivals with orientation in the community, such as where to catch a bus or where to shop. If you’re looking to make a meaningful difference and enjoy working with people, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Translators and interpreters We are 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. 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. 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

We published our first full impact report at the end of 2023, sharing how our charity has grown and evolved since its foundation. We now offer a wide range of services to support the full integration of forcibly displaced people, including drop-in hubs, employment mentoring, practical and material support, as well as group and one-to-one English classes. Impact report We published our first full impact report at the end of 2023, sharing how our charity has grown and evolved since its foundation. We now offer a wide range of services to support the full integration of forcibly displaced people, including drop-in hubs, employment mentoring, practical and material support, as well as group and one-to-one English classes. In a nutshell As at January 2024, we were supporting 276 families from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria and other countries. We had 250 ongoing support cases, and delivered our services through our network of 108 volunteers and seven staff members. In 2023 our staff and volunteers: Helped 89 families with support and advice on accommodation Supported 53 families to set up new homes Provided 70 job seekers with one-to-one mentoring Delivered 40 hours of tutoring and homework help every week Mentored 10 young people through our collaboration with St George’s College, Weybridge. Read our full report here Seeing first-hand the incredible work that all the dedicated Elmbridge CAN volunteers and staff do... as well as the positive impact the charity has on enabling people to rebuild their lives, and feel welcome and settled in Elmbridge, is truly amazing. I feel so lucky to be a part of Elmbridge CAN's mission, and thoroughly enjoy my volunteer role. Ayshe

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).

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.

From arriving in the UK with next to nothing, to establishing a successful business. Read how three Ukrainian women have joined forces and rebuilt their lives in Elmbridge Hasina's story There is an expression in Afghanistan which translates literally as ‘they have my shoulder’ – in English it’s probably ‘they have my back’. This is how Hasina describes Elmbridge CAN. “They really have been a light of hope; they are bringing fuel back to my engine.” Meeting Hasina, today it is clear that she was quite a driving force in Kabul before the Taliban seized power in 2021. Virtually all of Hasina’s career has been spent promoting the abilities and role of women. Four years ago, she worked at government level as Minister of Women Affairs. August 15th 2021, the day the Taliban seized Kabul, is cemented in Hasina’s and many Afghans’ memories. Things moved very quickly as she realised that their promise of respecting women’s rights would be instantly and completely ignored. Within a few days Hasina was informed by her security team that there was a directive to assassinate her. Whomever she stayed with was put in extreme danger. Hasina reluctantly knew she and the family had to leave the country to survive, but it was not an easy decision. She had 10 family members to consider including her two children and disabled dependants. “I was not scared for myself, I was worried. Scared for my children. It’s very tough to be a mother, very tough. Only those who have children will understand.” The situation at Kabul airport during late August 2021 has taken its place in history. Many international news agencies were there to document the mass of humanity trying to escape, even in some cases attempting to cling on to aircraft as they taxied before take-off. Equally tragic scenes were unfolding just outside the perimeter gates. This is where Hasina and her family were instructed to go. Through the co-ordinated efforts of international forces, they entered Kabul airport; the British FCO had sent her a pass with strict instructions not to tell anyone. At this point in her account Hasina’s voice drops to a whisper as she fights back tears. ‘It was terrible, terrible. You would see people with their passports saying ‘I have worked with you’ – but there were no human rights. None. People and children were lying on the ground.” During that time she still did not know if they would all make it. Eventually, the family arrived in the UK and was taken to a hotel in Thames Ditton alongside other refugees. Hasina remembers Elmbridge CAN and the council being there to help from day one, identifying everyone’s needs. She remembers the moment she met Jeannie very clearly. “I talked with her, I cried with her and that was the time that I really saw that Jeannie was a person who could understand women in conflict.” Those were difficult days. There was another incident that Hasina recalls with a smile. Her son Hamzah was invited to play football with other teenagers. Because of her high-level position back in Afghanistan, Hasina’s children were isolated for security reasons and not allowed out unaccompanied. Their mother had already survived two attempts on her life, so sending her son out into the dark Thursday evening in winter was not an option. However, Elmbridge CAN gave her confidence that not only would it be safe, but it would also be a step forward in everyone’s recovery. Hasina now accepts just how important it was for everyone that her son joined in. There were classes on offer organised by Elmbridge CAN: English, embroidery and computer lessons. Four years on and Hasina’s mother-in-law is still enjoying the sewing machine presented by Elmbridge CAN, openly admitting that the sewing which she loved back home, has supported her in her recovery from the trauma. The family finally settled in Walton-on-Thames. “That was the time that Elmbridge CAN really shouldered me. They looked after me personally, and they gave me a hand. They provided volunteers for both my daughters to help them with their studies and with integration. Then there were the maths and chemistry lessons for her son. It is clear that Hasina is a very strong woman who has spent nearly all her life helping others. And when she needed help, Elmbridge CAN was there for her. “I don’t have the words to thank Elmbridge CAN for the patience, the understanding, the solidarity, the love and the care that they have provided, not only for me and my family, but for the whole group of evacuees that was in the hotel.”

We have created a full guide for you to understand the different transport options in Elmbridge. Test page! 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 This is where the story heading goes This is where the short intro copy goes to encourage readers to find out more. Don't forget to check in both desktop and mobile version. Read our story Heading 2 I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy. I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy. BUTTON Heading 1 I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy. Heading 2 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).

May 2026: we are thrilled to announce that Elmbridge CAN has been chosen as the Mayor of Elmbridge's Charity of the Year for 2026/27, alongside the Mayor of Elmbridge Trust Fund. Mayor Judy Sarsby May 2026: we are thrilled to announce that Elmbridge CAN has been chosen as the Mayor of Elmbridge's Charity of the Year for 2026/27, alongside the Mayor of Elmbridge Trust Fund. This great honour highlights our shared commitment to building a welcoming and inclusive community, a mission close to the heart of the new Mayor of Elmbridge, Judy Sarsby. Elmbridge Mayor, Judy Sarsby, can recall countless uplifting stories during her time volunteering for Elmbridge CAN but it is one involving children that cuts to the heart of why the charity has become such an important part of her life. It involved a party attended by many of the displaced people in the borough a few years ago. “Lots of children came and they all went outside, but at first they were just staring at their feet, not integrating,” she explains. “We had Syrians, Afghans, Ukrainians and other people from all over the world. Then someone kicked a football into the air, and they all rushed forward. Suddenly they're forming teams and playing together, because we’re all the same. If we can build on that, then maybe the world will be a better place for it.” That sense of unity is at the core of Judy’s message for her year as Mayor of Elmbridge: one borough, one bond, Elmbridge together. Her association with the charity dates back to 2018 when, along with a friend from Weybridge Rowing Club, she offered to help as a volunteer. “During the Syrian crisis I was asked to support a family who had just arrived, with four children, and they were my first integration family” she continues. “I'm still in contact with them now. It was helping getting the children into school, getting the mum what she needed. She spoke very good English anyway but it was helping her with education, or if a doctor was needed, that sort of thing. I could see the benefit to them, but also the benefit to the community. We helped the husband get the job that he wanted, as well. And then the Covid Pandemic happened.” Judy once co-founded her own specialist sourcing and manufacturing company, but had retired by the time the pandemic struck. She contacted former colleagues and began sourcing and supplying PPE to the care home she lived next door to and to government contracts. Her proactive approach caught the attention of local councillors who asked her to stand for Weybridge in the 2021 elections. “When they asked me to do it, I wasn't really sure because I wanted to carry on with Elmbridge CAN,” she adds. “Then the Ukrainian crisis and the Taliban moving into Kabul happened. We started up the Ukrainian hubs and a Ukrainian came to live with me for three and a half years. So it was useful being part of the Council, making sure that the refugees get the support that they're entitled to, but also other support." “For instance, Brooklands College were absolutely brilliant. A lady called Sue just turned up at the hub, put a file down and said, ‘We’re Brooklands College, what can we do to help?’ And I said, ‘Can you teach them to speak English?’ She said, ‘Yes I'm head of the English department’. So they put on extra courses and they all learnt English in a year.” The collaborative efforts Judy has witnessed during her time on the Council and volunteering have been impressive. And much of what goes on flies in the face of the image of immigration in large parts of the mainstream media. “To me it's just a win-win situation and I think it's the wrong sort of publicity that is turning the situation into a negative,” Judy continues. “We lost over a million people from the UK as a result of Brexit. More than one in five employees in the NHS are immigrants. Without them the whole system would collapse. We've got one Ukrainian student who has become a doctor. We've got one young student from Afghanistan, who was teaching in Kabul until the Taliban came and told her to stop and they managed to get out, and she wants to become a doctor. So I found her a job in a pharmacist, and she's doing really well. Her sister wants to be a dentist. “There are so many good stories of children who arrived in their teens, they kind of dropped a year due to their English, and now they're heading off to universities. So where is the disadvantage? They're working in our communities, they're propping us up. The young people are going off to university and they're setting an example when they do it. There's one girl who I helped get into a local school, who is a great artist. She’s doing her A-levels and her art is up everywhere. Brilliant, she's going to be an amazing artist.” Judy was both surprised and delighted to be asked to stand as the last Mayor of Elmbridge. Looking forward to the challenge ahead, she is keen to bring the work of Elmbridge CAN, and the displaced people being supported, into focus. “Telling those good news stories, because there is so much negative publicity about immigration, and it's not a bad news story,” she says. “This country was built on immigration. We need to understand that there is a real benefit here and what we need to do is address it the right way. And I think Elmbridge CAN is such a shining example of how we can take something like immigration in this part of the world, and we have turned it into such good news story. The people that have come here, we didn't invite them here, but we embraced them and said, ‘Let us help you rebuild your lives’. And in so doing, they're now giving back.”

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

Steve Wells, our former Chair of Trustees, explains how it all began for him. Steve Wells - former Chair of Trustees We look back with Steve Wells - our former Chair of Trustees - to 2016 and how it all began for him. Like anyone interested in current affairs, Steve Wells keeps a keen eye on world events. Almost daily, TV news programmes and outlets flood our screens with footage of war, earthquakes and other examples of human suffering. Yet very occasionally, one image can tip the balance from concern for those tied up in the situation, to real distress for fellow human beings... What changed things for Steve was the now-famous picture of the corpse of a 3-year-old Syrian boy, face down, drowned on a Turkish beach. Like millions across the world, Steve could not stop thinking about the image, and the story behind it. He could not have known where that one shocking picture would lead him for the next decade. However at the time, he and his wife Linda knew that doing nothing was not an option. They had already heard about a new charity based locally (Refugees at Home) which matched people with a spare room with refugees needing accommodation. “And being empty nesters, with the kids all moved away, we had a spare room and so we got in touch….So to cut a long story short I was told we were going to be taking in a Syrian man, a neurosurgeon, who was married to a consultant obstetrician with three children.” The family had fled their home as bombs were flying down from the Syrian army and had made it to Turkey, where Karim had left his wife and children with distant relatives. Karim would stay with Steve and Linda Wells for three months while they helped him bring his family to the UK. Clearly all of them living in the Wells’ home was not ideal and a more permanent solution was needed. “I had been told there was a refugee support organisation in its formation in Elmbridge” remembers Steve. “I met up with (soon to be director of Elmbridge CAN) Jeannie and a couple of others.” The first thing they did was to organise a meeting in collaboration with the local council. You can read Jeannie’s story about how Elmbridge CAN was formed here. “I took Karim to the launch meeting at the Civic Centre (in Esher), and it was wonderful – the atmosphere, the passion of the people there. It was great for Karim to feel that sense of support, because of course, he’d left his family in Turkey.” A key moment for Steve and Linda around this time, was when Steve found Karim in distress one morning in the kitchen. “He had just learned that his 4-year-old boy was being bullied in Turkey for being an Arab and he felt powerless to do anything about it. It was a reminder to me of the way in which those bonds (of family) are fractured and stressed. This really was a key moment for me because at that stage, I thought, ‘I am going to stop at nothing to get them reunited.’” Eventually, after many ups and downs, coupled with hard work and tenacity, Steve and Elmbridge CAN managed to reunite the family and get them housed in more permanent accommodation. As this was happening, Steve appreciated that Karim’s was only one family and that there were many, many others in similar situations. Funding for Elmbridge CAN was coming in through local contacts and donations, particularly in Jeannie’s home community of East Molesey and Steve’s of Claygate and their vicinities. These two groups were vibrant in the early days of Elmbridge CAN. In 2018 Elmbridge CAN was officially recognised by the Charity Commission and they now had the all-important Charity number. This meant they could work through the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to identify suitable families for placement locally. Apart from local support, Elmbridge CAN needed to liaise with Elmbridge Borough Council. This was an important learning curve, for both parties. “Initially the local Council were sceptical, but the relationship grew”, recalls Steve . “They were a bit reluctant because it was way out of their former remit. I mean, we’re talking about people from the other side of the world from a conflict zone, when actually the council’s main expertise is in local issues and a very intractable housing problem which understandably they were concerned about”. However, so successful was their relationship that Elmbridge Council started to fund some of Elmbridge CAN’s support work as the charity grew. A new and lasting working relationship had germinated and was growing. Over the decade there have been many changes to the operating environment for Elmbridge CAN, but no one could have anticipated the sudden influx of refugees when, in August 2021, the Taliban regime took over Afghanistan. Again, the TV was showing footage which viewers would never forget, such as the chaotic horrors of Kabul airport with people hanging off a US aircraft as it taxied to take off. Almost overnight Elmbridge CAN’s workload increased. Local people, many with no interest in international politics, were responding by offering help and digging into their pockets for families in distress. The crisis also brought in new volunteers which meant that the charity had to employ more staff to support them, which in turn needed more funds. But Elmbridge CAN and its supporters responded and progressed. Then just a few months later, in February 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine. Another international crisis, and some 25,000 refugees heading to the UK. Again, Elmbridge CAN coped with the influx and the local community responded positively. Although very strictly and openly a non-faith based organisation, Elmbridge CAN has often turned to churches and other faith and community groups to appeal for funds. Given that the world has changed a lot since 2016, has Steve ever encountered a hostile reception? “No, never.. I remember on one occasion I was with Karim at a Church of England church in Weybridge: me - a well-known atheist and Karim - a Muslim. Talking from the pulpit, I thought this is really quite bizarre. But the welcome there was huge and they were keen to contribute, just as all the churches have been. So that Christian notion of hospitality - that we welcome the stranger - has shone through. Two years ago, Steve decided that it was time to step down as Chair of the board of Trustees. Perhaps surprisingly, it was not a difficult decision. He felt that the organisation had built up a strong momentum. Initially it was run on volunteer power only, and now it had paid staff including a director job share. The time had come to hand over to the next generation. So how confident is Steve about the next ten years for the organisation? “Utterly unpredictable on one level because the world is so dangerous. Heaven knows what is going to happen in the world. But the one thing I am confident of is that the local community will still be there to accommodate people fleeing terror...“It can’t be that Elmbridge is different from the rest of the country. The signs are beginning to come through, that people are questioning what it is to be human... Our tendency is to be sympathetic towards one another and to be empathetic. Diversity is something to be celebrated … we have a common humanity that makes us different from everything else on the planet.” “...Being empty nesters, with the kids all moved away, we had a spare room and so we got in touch….To cut a long story short I was told we were going to be taking in a Syrian man, a neurosurgeon, who was married to a consultant obstetrician with three children.” Steve Wells, former Chair of Trustees

Finding affordable suitable accommodation is one of the biggest challenges faced by displaced people in Elmbridge. Rent your property Finding affordable, suitable accommodation is one of the biggest challenges faced by displaced people in Elmbridge. Many families are keen to stay in the area, especially if they have children settled in local schools. Lots of the people we support have already experienced considerable upheaval. The property market is tough: rents are expensive and landlords are often reluctant to accept tenants who rely on Universal Credit. Yet for landlords who can be a bit flexible, this is one of the biggest ways you can help and extend a lifeline to people experiencing the most desperate time of their lives. Is my property suitable for a displaced family? It may be if it meets these criteria: a self-contained dwelling with 1 bedroom or more in a reasonable condition available for at least 12 months, preferably longer in or near Elmbridge, ideally with good access to public transport and local amenities such as shops and schools. at a rent which is affordable and sustainable (i.e. close to the Local Housing Allowance rate ) as with any other tenancy, all relevant certification must be in place - gas safety (where relevant), electrical safety and an energy performance rating of “E” or above. If you are interested in renting a property to a displaced household, we recommend that you get in touch with Elmbridge Borough Council’s housing team, either by email on housingpolicy@elmbridge.gov.uk or telephone on 01372 474632. If you would like an informal chat with one of us first, please get in touch on contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk . While we do not offer a property search service or get directly involved in setting up tenancies, we can support clients as needed with various other aspects of the tenancy such as sourcing furniture and equipment, moving costs and setting up accounts for utilities. See also Elmbridge Borough Council’s information on the Afghan Locally Employed Staff Relocation Scheme , including details of the kind of properties needed to resettle households under this scheme and the support offered to landlords. If you think you might be interested in hosting a Ukrainian family or individual in your own home or a self-contained property you own, see our Become a host page for more information on what’s involved and the support available. Spread the word Even if you don't have a home to rent you can still help by sharing the need with friends and neighbours, by signing up for our newsletter to hear about future needs and appeals, or by following us on social media and sharing our posts. Thanks to everyone once again for your generosity, support, and for making our new beginning in this beautiful place so much easier. Natalia