Anticipation

Anyone who saw my previous blip will know that today was the day 'our' new community-sponsored refugee family arrived. Two members of our group went to the airport to meet them along with an interpreter,  and with our Arabic-speaking member on standby at home with her phone. As they drove back we received a text saying 'We cannot stress how lovely they are': the children were darlings and the Mum was wearing jeans and could speak a little English..

(We are told almost nothing about the families apart the bare details of their ages and genders so until they arrive we don't know how easily they will integrate into their new lifestyle.)

During the day others of us couldn't resist popping into the house for last minute peeps and purchases. From now on it will belong to the family and we will visit only at pre-arranged times for essential procedures and requirements. The first visitor will be the medical member of the team who will check their overall well being and take them to register at the Health Centre. After that there will be the inevitable series of appointments to deal with Social Security and financial arrangements before English lessons begin. The oldest child will be introduced to his new school (maybe his first...), the parents to shops, public transport, neighbours and so on.   Our remit is to support the family in this way for a year after which they  should be ready to cope independently of the sponsorship group.

Any community in the UK with sufficient good will and dedication can do this. Here's the starting point.