Council hosts a day of welcome and culture for refugees

A number of recently settled Syrian refugees demonstrated the progress they have made in mastering English when they shared information about their experience of Syria before the civil war started, followed by a film of what has happened to their home towns.

They gave moving accounts of how their country has suffered since, how their lives have been affected and their experience of travelling to and settling in Cambridge.

The day-long event was celebratory, featuring Syrian music and drumming, Syrian folk dancing including “Dabka” and traditional food.

It was also an opportunity for the council to thank the many volunteers and voluntary organisations that have given great support in helping the refugees to settle into their homes in the city.

Cllr Lewis Herbert, Leader of the Council, also attended the event with Cllr George Pippas, Mayor of Cambridge, Antoinette Jackson, Chief Executive of the council, and a number of councillors.

Cllr Herbert said: “It was a delight to have the opportunity to meet some of the city’s new Syrian residents and learn from them about their culture and experiences. It was heart-warming to see how happy the families are, how they support and enjoy each other, and how well they are settling in and adjusting to life in Cambridge, which seems so normal to us but is so very different from their time in cities and towns in war torn Syria.

“Some have suffered in ways most of us will never have to, and it was a sobering to hear about their experiences.

“It was wonderful to see how much progress they have made since arriving in Cambridge, where they are able to enjoy safe sanctuary. Remarkably, they all gave presentations in English even though most had little or no English when they arrived in the UK over the last two years.

“This tremendous progress, in such a short time, is thanks to the many volunteers who have helped the council with the resettlement programme.

“We have pledged to resettle 100 refugees under the Home Office programme and, assisted by badly needed offers of suitable local family housing, we will continue until our target is reached along with the very important work of enabling the families and their children of all ages to take the time they need to make a success of life in our welcoming city of Cambridge.”

To date, 58 people have been resettled in Cambridge and surrounding villages and towns, consisting of 13 families comprising 25 adults and 33 children.

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