Six more Syrian refugee families to be re-homed in Powys
A further six refugee families will be re-homed in Powys after a report was passed by councillors.
In October 2015, Powys County Council committed to the UK Government scheme to accommodate refugees who had fled the brutal civil war in Syria.
The Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme was set up with funding from the Home Office, and led to a total of 12 families being re-homed in Powys. The first families arrived in Ystradgynlais in July 2016, and the first families arrived in Newtown in December 2016, with the sixth family being re-homed in April of this year.
An evaluation of the scheme in Powys has found that it was viewed as an overall success by delivery partners, community groups and Syrian families themselves.
All families said they felt safe in their homes, and felt they had progressed in learning English and gaining independence.
The success of the scheme was also shown by a thank you event held in Ystradgynlais by the refugees, and in Newtown through a Syrian feast put on at Newtown Food Festival in early September 2017.
The evaluation also said the Syrian children had settled well in the education system, and the scheme showed how partners can work together to achieve a common goal.
Due to the success, county councillor and cabinet member for housing Jonathan Wilkinson has proposed another six families are re-homed, this time in Llandrindod Wells.
At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, councillors backed the report.
Councillor Stephen Hayes said: "I am very happy to support this.
"We have welcomed refugees from Syria and at the time it was controversial, but the response from the families themselves has shown with events they held in Ystradgynlais and Newtown.
"That speaks volumes about how they feel at home in Powys."
Councillor Hayes asked if there were further plans following the Llandrindod Wells scheme, however there are currently no plans for further re-homing.
Council Leader, councillor Rosmarie Harris added: "It is clear as a council in Wales we are ahead of others on this scheme.
"It has been a massive programme, so many people have work really hard and the support from the communities has been really good."
