In Cathedral Assembly, on Thursday 21st, the Norwich School Amnesty International Group handed-over Welcome Kits to English + to give to refugees who have been granted asylum in the UK. The contents for 8 full packs were collected by Tutor groups across the Senior School.

Refugees who come to Norwich are fleeing war, persecution or oppression and cannot return until their countries are safe, if ever. When they are placed in Norwich they are under the jurisdiction of the Home Office until their cases are decided on. When they are granted permission to stay, they are then supported by the Council and Job Centre to settle and find work.  

However, there is a lot that is not provided, and a lot they cannot initially afford. English + does more than teach them English, the charity helps them feel welcome, by organising all the basics they need to set up home. The welcome kits we collected included household, cleaning and bathroom essentials. 

Sarah Wormald from English + explained to the school just how difficult it was for people to get started in the UK and how thankful they were for Norwich School’s support, organised by the Amnesty Group, to enable refugees to feel at home in this difficult time of transition. 

Well done to the Norwich School Amnesty Group, Mr Storey-Mason, Mr Sexton and English + for continuing Norwich’s long tradition of welcome to strangers, who are now friends.