Restore - Birmingham churches supporting refugees

Restore's vision is for a society into which all refugees and asylum seekers are welcomed, valued and integrated.Refugees and asylum seekers have fled war or persecution in their home countries.  They need sanctuary in another country to live in safety and rebuild their lives.  Restore works towards its vision by building relationships and equipping for integration through one-to-one befriending and group social activities.  We aim to combat isolation and loneliness, build relationships between host communities and refugees, help with conversational English and adjustment to a new city and culture and improve mental health and well-being.  Restore has over 100 ongoing befriending relationships and we aim to start 50 new befriending matches each year.  We run men's and women's group social activities every two weeks.What is the impact?  One befriended asylum seeker wrote, “Restore paired me up with a befriender who actually changed my life.   Having someone to talk to, was a big problem to me until I met my befriender who came and took that burden away.   She is very kind-hearted, is always ready to listen to me and has helped me to regain my self-confidence.”There are also benefits for volunteers, “Being a befriender helps me to enjoy the diversity of Birmingham, to see life from another perspective and to feel that I am playing a tiny part in making my city more welcoming.”Restore is also involved in motivating for action and working for change.Restore is a project of Birmingham Churches Together.