This September, I’ve signed up to swim half a mile in the Serpentine lake in Hyde Park to raise money for West London Welcome, an amazing community centre that provides essential support for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in West London.
It’s more important than ever to show solidarity and support for our refugee and migrant communities, and there is an urgent need for safe, welcoming spaces - like West London Welcome - where they can find respite and community. I’m really grateful for your contributions and excited to swim to support them. Thank you!
About West London Welcome
West London Welcome is a community centre and registered charity run for and with refugees, people seeking asylum, migrants and other locals living in West London.
Why the community needs West London Welcome
It takes time to find a way to belong, especially after leaving one's own country under traumatic conditions, so WLW strives to give people that time. The community centre enables people to make friends, share ideas, eat good hot food, have childcare, use the foodbank, learn English, get advice and casework support, take English classes, be creative, and explore London together.
The impact on the community
They support 200 people each week, who originally come from more than 52 countries including Syria, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, Egypt, Palestine, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Vietnam, Albania, and El Salvador. The community welcomes people of all ages, including families, unaccompanied young people, and older people.
