In the last few years Nailsea has played its part in welcoming Syrian families from war-torn areas and refugee camps.
Elaine Atkinson co-ordinates a team of volunteers brought together by Christians Together in Nailsea and District (CTNAD). They support refugees who have arrived in Nailsea with the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme (SVPRS).
She says, “We now have two families here and are keen to welcome others. We work closely with North Somerset Council who will welcome 12 more families to the county. The main obstacle to doing this is finding suitable private landlord rental accommodation.”
Two families now living in Nailsea have shared their stories about life here and you can read their stories below.
North Somerset Council would like to support more refugee families. If you are a landlord or looking to invest in a rental property, contact the Refugee Resettlement Team on 01934 427275 or email caroline.crossley@n-somerset.gov.uk.
Family 1 (written by the young mother)
“As for moving to Britain, it was a little hesitant decision because just thinking about a life that is totally different from ours. People, home, country. Everything will be different. What we were thinking and wishing for was a better life and a good future for our children. They were worried because everything was different and the future of a place is unknown to us. But it was a good start.
"Everything was prepared for us, there is nothing missing in the house and there were great people volunteering to help us. I do not like to call them volunteers they are friends. Are awesome. The English language was a little difficult for me and every day I gained more experience and spoke more. My self-confidence increased. It was difficult for my husband and we and friends started looking for volunteer work for my husband to strengthen his English and because he likes to be busy and does not like sitting at home. We found a voluntary job for him, he worked there about a year and everything started to improve with time. And my son started going to preschool and found great friends. All the people were wonderful and accommodating and welcomed our presence with them. This was our first two years and it was difficult, different, and stressful, wonderful things happened, and difficult things too.
"Then everything became better and better. Language and self-confidence. We adapted to society. As for the atmosphere of our house, there was no difference because I created our atmosphere that is not different from the atmosphere of our home in my country. My cooking is no different than before coming here.
Then we started in the closures and the lockdown because of the Corona virus. As for staying at home, it is somewhat difficult because in the past most of our time was outside and our son was in his school. As we stayed at home, our son always talked about celebrations and the Christmas tree. At that time I thought a little and said to myself, we should celebrate Ramadan and our other celebrations like the New Hijri year to teach my son. We also have occasions that we celebrate and I told my husband about that and liked the idea and made the necessary preparations. At the same time we talked to my son about the advent of Ramadan and he was very happy. To make decorations we cut out moons and colour the letters to spell Ramadan Kareem (Blessed Ramadan) and Ramadan Mubarak (Happy Ramadan).
In this I am very happy as I have free time to spend with our children. There will be a lot of jealousy among the children, and I will be a little tired, but it is just a little difficult time, it and will pass and go back to our our life as before this time. It helped me a lot to talk to my son and spend time with him. My son’s teacher asked me about our way of life in order to teach my son and work on it in school, but time has changed because we are at home now. Everything will return as it was before This is my hope. We have a beautiful saying which makes the heart happy, and it is “If there is no hope, the whole work is not valid”. I used the interpreter a little bit hoping that you understand the saying.”
Family 2 (written by the young father)
“Nailsea is a beautiful and quiet village, and its residents are very welcoming and kind, also beautiful in its wide streets, which you can walk or exercise in a comfortable atmosphere. One of the beautiful things is that it is the closest village in North Somerset to Bristol and also there are volunteers in Nailsea who are very nice and help people to cope with difficulties. Getting acquainted with them and taking advice from them at the beginning of the arrival of any family is one of the most positive and good things.
"As for the negatives in living here moving through the towns of North Somerset is very difficult. There is no transportation from Nailsea to the rest of the villages except for Clevedon and the buses that go there are very few. If you want to go to Weston super Mare or Portishead, you will have to go to Bristol and take transportation from there. There are few shopping stores and not everything is available here, so you must always go to the city to buy things that are not available in Nailsea. It is more difficult if the residence is not close to the village shopping centre. Also there is no hospital in Nailsea.
"We overcame the difficulties first with patience and learn the English language because it is a very important thing. YouTube and Facebook have groups of British and Arab people explaining many questions that are difficult to understand. I also repeat the topic of volunteers that they have a great role in facing difficulties at the beginning and at the end of my message I thank all the volunteers who provided us with support and assistance and we were able to know many things with their help. Thank you from my heart.
"But one of the most important things to overcome difficulties is to learn and strengthen the English language, because anyone who lives here and does not learn the language will face many difficulties, so we must focus on the importance of learning the English language.”