BUDE Refugee Support Group is able to apply to welcome a second family to Bude, following a positive review of the resettlement of the first family, writes Rosie Cripps.

A representative from the Home Office recently paid a visit to the first refugee family that has been given residence in Bude, and completed a review, stating that they were satisfied with the resettlement.

They have since invited Bude Refugee Support Group to apply to resettle a second family in the town.

Chair of the group, Mary Whibley, told the Post that the Home Office has praised the group on their achievements in welcoming a refugee family to their town.

The representative reportedly said: “We were so pleased to see such a happy family who appear to be so well-suited to Bude. We look forward to receiving your second application — you should all be very proud.”

Bude Refugee Support Group was set up in 2016 by a group of local people, in response to the continuing refugee crisis that has occurred mainly because of the conflict in Syria.

After months of fundraising and campaigning to the Home Office to apply to resettle a refugee family in the town, the group was delighted when all of their hard work had finally come together, and, approximately ten weeks ago, a refugee family, who have been escaping the war in Syria, were resettled in a comfortable residency in Bude.

Speaking of the family, Mary said: “The family arrived approximately ten weeks ago. They are fun loving, kind and gentle. The two older children started school almost straight away — they are full of energy and love football.

“The two-year-old cried a lot at first, missing her grandmother, to whom she was very close. She has settled down though, and tends to ‘rule the roost’, as many two-year-olds do!

“The father has many years’ experience as a welder, and is being helped to find work, although language is currently a great barrier. Arabic has a completely different script, and also reads from right to left. They are all doing really well with their English lessons.”

Bude Refugee Support Group have arranged for a group of voluntary ‘befrienders’ to help the family, particularly when learning English. The befrienders have played a major role, whether that is by entertaining the children whilst the parents have their English lessons, or by accompanying the family to the beach or the shops so that they can get to grips with informal conversation as they go about daily life.

However, it soon became clear that the children were already adapting to their new home. Mary continued: “I was surprised when after only a few weeks, the two-year-old piped up, ‘see you later’, as I was leaving one day. It’ll be much easier for the children to learn English.”

With reassurance that everything is going smoothly for the first family, Bude Refugee Support Group are planning to put in their application to resettle a second family in mid-September.

Mary said: “It was always our aim to help two families. The application process has been modified and looks much more straightforward.”

When applying for the first family, the group had to tackle some obstacles along the way, with the Home Office changing how they would be accepting funds. However, once the group had got to grips with the new ways of raising money to resettle the family, the generosity of the people of Bude — and farther — helped them along.

Mary added: “The Home Office said we should we proud. Well, Bude should be proud. People have been so kind with donations, becoming sponsors, attending fundraising events, welcoming the family in social settings or simply smiling as the family go on the school run.

“The group — Bude Refugee Support Group — has had letters from people far and wide, saying how much they love Bude and how warm this community is. They are absolutely right — thank you.”

Bude Refugee Support Group’s next meeting will take place tomorrow (Friday) at 10am at St Olaf’s church hall, Poughill. All are welcome.