CHARIS, in association with Somerset County Council, has established Welcome Hubs for refugees, asylum seekers and their sponsors across Somerset.
Aims of the Welcome Hubs
Assist and empower refugees, asylum seekers and Ukrainian guests to become independent and integrate into their local, and wider, communities
Enable refugees, asylum seekers and Ukrainian guests to access both statutory and community services in their local communities
Support the sponsors through their relationship with their guests
Provide a pathway for local volunteers and community groups to support and befriend displaced people in Somerset
Welcome Hub Locations
Taunton
Location
CHARIS Refugees
16-17 Hammet Street
Taunton
TA1 1RZ
Open
Mon to Thu 10am–3pm
Timetable
Hub Manager
Luzma Jimenez
luzmajimenez@charisrefugees.org
07754 875 093
Facebook
West Somerset
Locations
Watchet Welcome Hub
The Sanctuary
38 Swain Street
Watchet
TA23 0AE
and
Minehead Eye
1 Mart Road
Minehead
TA24 6SR
Open
Wed 3pm–5pm ESOL and drop-in,
Minehead Eye
Thu 10am–1pm,
The Sanctuary
Welfare checks on both days
Hub Manager
Kate Kennedy
watchetwelcomehub@gmx.co.uk
07964 059 296
Facebook
Telegram
Yeovil
Location
Yeovil Community Church
The Gateway
Addlewell Lane
Yeovil
BA20 1QN
Open
Wed 10am–12pm
Fri 10am–12:30pm
Both sessions include welfare checks
Hub Manager
Vicki Pritchard
resettlement@yeovil4family.org.uk
07735 815 266
Frome
Location
Frome Town Council
Frome Town Hall
Christchurch Street West
Frome
BA11 1EB
Open
Tue 10am–3pm
Thu 12pm-2pm, welfare checks
Hub Advice Officers
Iryna Ladyzhenska
iladyzhenska@frometowncouncil.gov.uk
07710 056 210
Emma Lacey-Williams
elaceywilliams@frometowncouncil.gov.uk
07702 167 184
Partnership Lead
Nikki Cox
ncox@frometowncouncil.gov.uk
01373 475 579
Wells
Location
Wells City Council & Wells Community Network
Portway Annexe
The Portway Building
Portway Avenue
Wells
BA5 2QF
Open
Mon 10am–1pm Drop-in/welfare checks
English lessons throughout the week (contact Hub for details)
1st Thu in the month, 10:30am-12pm: Drop-in session at St Michael’s Catholic Church, Shepton Mallet
Hub Manager
Anna Tumanova
refhub@wells.gov.uk
07821 811 737
Assistant Hub Manager
Inna Prykhodko
refassist@wells.gov.uk
07553 359 742
Sedgemoor
Location
Diversity Voice
Victoria Park Community Centre
Victoria Park Drive
Bridgwater
TA6 7AS
Open
Mon 9:30am–12pm, drop-in and welfare checks
Wed 2pm–5pm (online - booking only)
Hub Manager
Ellie Bell
eleanorbell@diversityvoice.org.uk
07543 219 282
Mobile Welcome Hubs
Sedgemoor Welcome Hub operates a mobile hub 2 Thursdays a month 12:30pm-3pm at North Petherton Community Centre. See the Diversity Voice website for details of the next dates.
Location
North Petherton Community Centre
Fore Street
North Petherton
TA6 6QA
Informal Hubs
Bruton
Location
Bruton Supports Ukraine
St. Marys Church
Bruton
BA10 0EB
Contact
Rev'd. Jonathan Evans
01749 813080
ukraine@stmarysbruton.org
Wiveliscombe
Location
Wivey Welcomes Refugees
c/o St. Andrew's Church
Church Street
Wiveliscombe
Taunton TA4 2LR
Welcome Hubs Programme Manager
Alex Melbourne
CHARIS Refugees
16/17 Hammet Street
Taunton
TA1 1RZ
SCC Resettlement Workers
Somerset West and Taunton
Alison Forshaw
Alex Mountain
South Somerset
Sarah Berry
Mendip
Naomi Frost
Sedgemoor
Julie Gilfoyle
To contact resettlement workers, please email homesforukraine@somerset.gov.uk
The hubs provide a variety of services, depending on the particular needs in each location.
These may include:
A welcome area and information point.
A safe space for a chat and a tea or coffee.
Signposting to relevant local services, organisations, statutory bodies, events and activities.
Working with the job centre to provide access support and guidance on benefits.
Helping people prepare a CV and look for employment or voluntary opportunities.
Social events and activities.
Art and craft classes.
Help with budgeting, setting up a bank account and understanding how financial systems work in the UK.
Working with the NHS and other health providers to improve physical and mental wellbeing.
Providing support to sponsors and communities with their guests and all displaced people.
Enabling all displaced people to access local statutory and community services.
