Welsh Refugee Council

Nation of Sanctuary Awards 2026: Nominations now OPEN! - Welsh Refugee Council Last year, people across Wales shared a record number of nominations and stories that inspired, moved, and energised communities. Now we’re inviting you to celebrate even more extraordinary people.

Nation of Sanctuary Awards 2026 nominations are now OPEN 🌟

Every day, incredible individuals and groups work tirelessly to create welcoming spaces. And now is your chance to give them the recognition they deserve!

✅ Everything you need to nominate is right here: wrc.wales/nation-of-sa...

Our response to the proposed asylum reforms - Welsh Refugee Council In Wales, our Nation of Sanctuary vision starts from a simple truth: people begin rebuilding their lives the moment they feel safe.

When someone is recognised as a refugee but only offered a short-term status, what follows isn’t safety: it’s limbo.

Read our full statement to hear why the UK Government's proposals will lead to insecurity without solving any of the real issues ⬇️

wrc.wales/our-response...

diolch o galon for all your support, David 😍

David's fundraiser for WELSH REFUGEE COUNCIL Help David Elsmere raise money to support WELSH REFUGEE COUNCIL

Lets show people that Wales really is a Nation of Sanctuary - help me raise some needed funds to support the work @welshrefcouncil.bsky.social do ....

www.justgiving.com/page/restart...

What happened at Play Project this half term? - Welsh Refugee Council All year our play project team create safe and supportive play spaces for young children and their sanctuary seeking families.

#halfterm feel like too long ago?

Last week was extra-special for our sanctuary seeking families who had some exciting first experiences and formed new friendships 🌿

wrc.wales/what-happene...

We believe in an immigration salary and occupation list tailored to Wales' needs. A list to match people's skills to fill vacancies we're experiencing in:

Health 🩺
Social care 🫶
Green energy and construction 🌿👷

Helping people into work is the right thing to do. But it's also the smart thing too.

Sanctuary seekers are ready to give back to communities who welcomed them and build a stronger Wales for everyone. Current barriers to employment for people who are here and willing to contribute just don't make sense.

But there's a solution: businessnewswales.com/is-the-solut...

💼 Advice and Support Caseworkers £23,796
📍 Located in Wales - see job description for details
🤝 Ready to lead with purpose and compassion? We can't wait to hear from you

Job open until Monday 6 October, so get those applications in: wrc.wales/advice-and-s...

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We're hiring 📣

Our caseworkers are at the heart of our work 🧡

If you're passionate about supporting sanctuary seekers and refugees to build connections in communities, then this is the opportunity for you ⬇️

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Next Saturday, our friends at Senedd 4 Ukraine have organised a whole day to celebrate films and stories from Ukraine!

Saturday 20 September 📅

Chapter Cardiff CF5 1QE 📍

Tickets are FREE but limited: bit.ly/ukrfest2025
So make sure you don't miss out

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Welsh Refugee Council team stood at Westminster event.

Stronger communities are forged when we stand together, looking out for one another🧡

This week's Westminster event reminded us of the support for building places rooted in fairness and safety.

@scotrefugeecouncil.bsky.social and @refugeecouncil.bsky.social what a pleasure to work together

Fantastic to have such strong supporters for a fairer Wales for all 🧡 diolch o galon

Two smiling members of the Welsh Refugee Council team holding flyers at an event.

Our team had the best time at Glitter Pride 🌈

Groups like Glitter Cymru who create such important spaces for LGBTQI+ people, including sanctuary seekers and refugees.

Diolch o galon to all who made our first Glitter Pride so memorable!

Work With Us - Welsh Refugee Council Join our team at the Welsh Refugee Council and work with us to support refugees and asylum seekers to build a new future in Wales.

💼Service Lead caseworker £26,000

💼Employability and Education Manager £29,000 to £32,000

💼 Senior caseworker No Recourse to Public Funds £26,000

Applications are open until the end of August so don't wait to get your applications in:
wrc.wales/work-with-us/

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Want a job that really makes a difference?

We have three NEW vacancies at the Welsh Refugee Council!

Join the team where every day you'll work with sanctuary seekers and refugees to build strong connections and better futures 🧡

Play Project families making jam together at Global Gardens in Cardiff.

Child from Play Project foraging for fruit at Global Gardens in Cardiff.

Growing together for #WorldNatureConservationDay 🌱

Sanctuary seeking children and their families spent the day in nature in the beautiful Global Gardens project

The children foraged fruits to make apple and blackberry jam with their mums. Dished out over yoghurt, it was absolutely delicious!

At the Welsh Refugee Council, we’ll continue to stand by those affected. We're here to support individuals through the process, and to call for decisions that are grounded in evidence, compassion, and respect for human dignity. (5/5)

Syria remains a fragile and unpredictable place. It’s vital that each person’s case is looked at on its own merits, with care and fairness. People fleeing conflict and persecution deserve to have their stories heard and their safety properly assessed. (4/5)

We understand the need to ensure decisions are based on reliable, recent information. However the delay left many people living in limbo, some of whom have already spent years rebuilding their lives here. They were stuck waiting, unable to move forward, work, or feel secure about their future. (3/5)

Syrian asylum seeker says freeze on claims 'like slowly dying' The UK paused Syrian asylum and settlement claims after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.

We welcome the news that the UK Government has restarted decisions on asylum and settlement applications from Syrian nationals, after a pause that began late last year.

We voiced our concerns of this limbo on real people here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... (2/5)

Trustee of the Welsh Refugee Council delivering a speech at a recent meeting.

Our response to the restart of Syrian asylum decisions 🧵

The power of community - Welsh Refugee Council Over the last year in this project, a by-product of the research and coproduction has been an incredible sense of empowerment.

Want to know more about the project? Let us know!

wrc.wales/the-power-of...

For sanctuary seekers, the ability to recognise power and authority over one’s own body, emotions, and future can create an immense sense of hope.

This can make all the difference for people who have suffered loss, war, oppression, persecution, and even torture.

Lots of us feel our mental and physical health go hand in hand, but what does this look like in reality?

Over the last year, together with Cardiff University we've been learning how treating mental and physical health together can lead to better results than treating each separately ❤️

Introducing @cardiff-hub.bsky.social's new teen book group! 📖

Open to all teenagers aged 13 to 16 years old

First session on Thursday 10 July so register your interest today: bit.ly/460xZkE

The Welsh Refugee Council calls for each individual and their case be considered in their own right:

"We have to look at cases with a human eye. They are not only numbers, but dreams and hopes for the future."

Syrian asylum seeker says freeze on claims 'like slowly dying' The UK paused Syrian asylum and settlement claims after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.

For 7 months, Syrian individuals and families across the UK have been stuck in limbo, with no control over their future.

The UK Government's decision to pause decisions on Syrian asylum and settlement cases has a huge human cost

Here's Tuka's story: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Our Housing Policy and Research Lead Gareth delivers housing forums right across Wales, so if you'd like to attend one soon, let us know!

Refugees, sanctuary seekers, charity partners, and council reps all welcome 🧡

What happens at a Welsh Refugee Council housing forum?

We meet with refugees to:

Provide accurate housing information ✅
Offer alternatives to social housing, including private rentals and shared accommodation ✅
Empower individuals to make the best decision for them ✅

Shaping Nations - Welsh Refugee Council Celebrating migrant stories through art, community workshops, and educational events can help Wales become a safe and supportive space for sanctuary seekers today.

Your story matters — all year round 🧡

We're inviting people across Wales to share their migration stories. And we'd love you to help us create a collection of stories to reflect the experiences and cultures in Wales today.

wrc.wales/shaping-nati...