More than £150,000 awarded to projects supporting refugees
Projects supporting refugee families in Birmingham, through the Government’s Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, have received over £150,000 in grants awarded by Birmingham City Council.
Four organisations - In Her Shoes, The Prince’s Trust, Bosnia Herzegovina UK Network and Birmingham Ethnic Education and Advisory Service - received grants ranging from nearly £10,000 up to £50,000 to deliver projects that support women’s wellbeing, youth services, community development, employment and education.
The grant scheme and commissioned services are funded by central Government, as part of money received by local authorities participating in the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (SVPRS).
In Her Shoes, based in Balsall Heath, received £9,996. They will provide a safe space for women come together and use creativity to explore issues around identity to ultimately support them to improve their English skills, form new friendships and boost their confidence to get involved with their local community.
The Prince’s Trust was awarded £45,392 for a bespoke programme to support young Syrians in Birmingham aged between 16 and 30 to support their personal and social development.
Bosnia Herzegovina UK Network, based in Greet, Birmingham, received £49,219. Their award will fund two part-time development workers from the SVPRS who will be mentored and supported to establish their own community organisation that will promote independence and self-help.
Finally, Birmingham Ethnic Education and Advisory Service was awarded £50,000 to deliver a three-tiered programme of support over 34 weeks. This will include weekly English as a Second or Foreign Language (ESOL) classes and an intensive holiday programme to up to 30 adults and their children.
Cllr John Cotton, Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Community Safety and Equalities, said: “I am pleased that during Refugee Week we’re seeing more innovative schemes benefit from grants which in turn will benefit families who arrive in Birmingham through the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme.
“Learning new skills to boost people’s employability and building their confidence to enable them get involved in their local communities are vital to helping newly arrived refugees to settle into their neighbourhood – and their new lives. Congratulations to all these schemes.”
These one-off grants support short-term, innovative activity which aids resettlement and integration of Syrian refugees. This scheme is delivered in addition to commissioned services on a quarterly award cycle.
