Welcome Churches helps your church to welcome newly-arrived refugees and asylum seekers in your community.
"Welcome Boxes has given us a way to connect with refugees in our city in a way which is incredibly effective. Many of those we've visited have become part of our church family through the friendships we have formed."
Activity
Volunteers take a box filled with practical items, gifts and local information to a newly-arrived family or individual and will continue to offer support and friendship.
Time
Once training has been completed, the project can be established very quickly. The coordinator will need to give about four to six hours per week. Volunteer Welcomers each carry out one "Welcome", at a time and we normally recommend that it takes about three months to welcome a newly-arrived refugee to the community.
Cost
We review our costs on an annual basis. In 2021 we ask churches to give £600 to train to run Welcome Churches in the first year, then an ongoing financial contribution of £150 per year to continue to run Welcome Churches.
Partnership
Welcome Churches will help you to connect with agencies working with asylum seekers and refugees and build relationships with other organisations who can also support the people you meet.
Support
We will train a Coordinator and your volunteer Welcomers for your church. By running Welcome Churches, you will join our wider Welcome Network which includes more resources and training opportunities for your church to help you to go deeper in your refugee ministries. We will help you to receive referrals to your Welcome Churches project and support your coordinator throughout the year.
Resources
You will need to source, check and store the items for the Welcome Boxes and have space to compile the boxes themselves.
People
You will need a dedicated coordinator to manage referrals and a team of volunteers who have a passion for building friendships and community.
Replications
Welcome Churches has:
Replications
FREE Getting Started Guide
Register for your interest and we’ll send you our FREE Cinnamon guide to starting your social action project. Furthermore, we’ll pass your enquiry directly onto the relevant people so they can get in touch with you.
