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Refugees at Home connects people with a spare room to refugees and people seeking asylum in need of somewhere to stay. We recruit and support volunteer hosts who are willing to offer a temporary home and a helping hand. Each placement is different, and the length of hosting can vary from a few nights to several months and anything in between. Hosting is entirely altruistic, provided by amazing volunteer hosts. We are always looking for new hosts with a spare room or two, or even a sofa bed, in cities and towns that are well connected and have good public transport systems. This enables our guests to travel to college, school, support groups or jobs, and retain their independence. Here are some quotes from previous hosts: - "There are so few times you can do something practical to help. Hosting Refugees felt like a practical thing to do." Sarah, Host. - "If you are thinking of hosting, you should go for it because if you can even help for a month or even less, you are still doing someone an enormous favour.” Julian, Host - "Once we took the step to open our home, it became the most natural thing in the world.” Rachel, Host. And the impact that hosting has on guests: - "Thinking back I would like to thank Refugees at Home for Helping me to get safe accommodation with a lovely family in 2016, Imagine if I said I am homeless and cold when my mum called back then. Instead I was safe and warm and surrounded with love and laughter with my hosts." Areej, Guest
There are no specific skills required! This role is open to anyone with a spare room in their home (or a sofa bed for a shorter stay) in cities and towns that have good public transport links, and the ability to welcome a refugee or person seeking asylum in need into their homes. Additional information, preparation and support will be given about the role before starting. All guests, hosts and households are different and there is no magic ingredient to a successful placement. In our experience, empathy, courtesy, common sense, and good communication go a long way to making sure that guests and hosts get the most benefit from a placement.
- It is a practical way of helping a refugee or person seeking asylum and supporting them on their journey to more secure accommodation. - By opening their homes and welcoming guests from all nationalities, our amazing hosts are spreading hope and solidarity with refugees across the UK. - Opportunity to be on a national network of hosts, ready to help when needed.
Hosting can vary from a few nights to several months and anything in between. Hosts decide how long they are willing to host for.
