A new local charity has been launched in Amersham.
Chiltern Welcomes which aims to help refugees settle and integrate into the community came about as a personal initiative of the Amersham Town Mayor, Cllr Mark Roberts, who put out a call to local residents following the fall of Kabul in 2021.
Seven trustees from diverse backgrounds and professions have come together to found Chiltern Welcomes, (registered charity 1200328): John and Michele Christensen, Clare Freeman, Barbra Georgellis, Nozomi Okuyama, Lindsey Powell and Mark Roberts.
Mark stated "for me, it's personal, as a result of my family history. My father was a refugee from Guernsey". He noted the Chilterns' long history of welcoming refugees, from the Belgians in WW1, Jews in 1930s and Polish families in WW2. More recently, many local families have also extended their compassion to Ukrainians by hosting them in their homes."
Chiltern Welcomes will initially focus on helping refugees under government resettlement schemes who are currently in bridging hotels.
The charity is looking to raise £20,000 to meet six months' advance rent to house two families.
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