A councillor says he hopes Syrian refugees will “find peace and happiness” in Lichfield.
The Syrian Vunlenrable Persons Scheme (VPS) has so far seen seven families given new homes across the Lichfield and Burntwood area, the Staffordshire Moorlands and East Staffordshire.
They have been welcomed as part of a partnership between Staffordshire County Council and local authorities, including Lichfield District Council.
Cllr Doug Pullen, Cabinet member for regulatory services, housing and wellbeing at Lichfield District Council, said: “We know Lichfield District communities are keen to welcome these families who are fleeing war and persecution.
“Key partners are working together to help the families settle into their new homes, and we hope they will enjoy living in Lichfield and find peace and happiness here.”
The councils have also been working with Refugee Action to ensure access to medical provision, housing and school places are in position ahead of the arrival of the Syrian refugees.
Cllr Gill Heath, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for communities, said: “This programme is about helping those refugees in the greatest need, including people requiring urgent medical treatment, survivors of torture and women and children who are most at risk.
“As a county, we are doing all that we can to help.
“We have had some great support from our district and borough councils, and have been working with them and Refugee Action over the past few months. There have been a great deal of logistical details to sort out prior to their arrival, and we are only taking those we know we can safely and readily accommodate.
“We hope that these people, who are most at risk and cannot be supported in their own country, are able to rebuild their lives and are able to integrate with local communities in the area.”
The Syrian VPS initiative priorities those who are most at risk and who cannot be supported in their own country.
Faye Jeffery, West Midlands resettlement manager at Refugee Action, said: “We’re delighted to be continuing our work with the council and other local partners to welcome more Syrian refugees to Staffordshire.
“Our caseworkers and volunteers meet the families at the airport and take them to their new homes, where they receive a care package of essentials such as tea, bread, milk and nappies.
“We provide integration support to ensure the families have access to English language lessons, health and education services, so they can start to rebuild their lives and contribute to their new communities.”
