Council working with BAVO on Afghan refugee scheme

Bridgend County Borough Council is working with the Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations (BAVO) to determine how best volunteers can help support the Afghan refugee scheme.

The local authority confirmed to the UK Government last week that it is available to participate in the planned expansion of the Afghan relocation and assistance programme.

Designed to provide safe, secure accommodation for interpreters and other personnel who have worked with the UK in Afghanistan, the programme recognises the service of those who have supported the British Forces, and reflects both their work and the risks they now face following recent events within the country.

Over the last few days, numerous offers from residents and organisations have come in to help support those who arrive in the county borough as part of the scheme.

We are already receiving enquiries from charities who want to help, people who want to volunteer or donate, and we are very grateful for the kind offers. As the situation unfolds, we will all be in a better position to identify exactly what the needs are/will be, and how many families might be relocated to the area. It is unlikely that this will be a massive figure.

If you are interested in helping please let us know, but also please bear with us whilst we work through some of the details.

A spokesman for BAVO which provides support, guidance, practical assistance and information to local voluntary sector groups in the county borough

We are really moved by the overwhelmingly positive response from residents in the county borough that have asked how they can help and support those being resettled.

We look forward to the release of more information from the UK Government on how the wider relocation scheme will work and what level of support that local authorities will receive from the UK Government, and what the long-term arrangements are likely to be.

Council Leader Huw David

If you are interested in volunteering, please visit the volunteering portal for up to date vacancies.

To access the volunteering portal, please click here