New life for refugees helped by Borough of Sanctuary Fund

A life-changing community project is helping refugees in Wandsworth make a difference with the support of the council’s Borough of Sanctuary Fund. 

Women refugees have found friendship, support and new skills through volunteering with the Rooted @ Home project in Earlsfield. 

“Now I feel I’m important, I can do something,” says Setareh, 38, who has made a new life in the UK after fleeing Iran, where she worked in the planning office of her municipality. 

“When I first came, I felt very alone. But getting involved with the project meant I could make friends, and help other people who were in my position. 

“I feel proud I can do something for people, I can help other refugees. It’s really changed my life.”

Watch Setareh and Melissa's stories

The project – which is based at Home Community Café at St Andrew's Church in Earlsfield – brings together women refugees to volunteer in the eatery, where they learn new skills and build their confidence.

As well as volunteering in the café each week, the women take part in wellbeing workshops ranging from yoga and hiking, to gardening, mindfulness and arts and crafts. 

A befriending scheme also helps them develop a crucial support network.

Meg Fry, the founder of Home Community Café, explains: “Rooted @ Home is a year-long programme supporting sanctuary seekers in our neighbourhood, upskilling them and building friendships.

“There’s lots of cooking, lots of eating and lots of laughter.”

Refugee support

The project has been supported with the help of a grant from Wandsworth’s Borough of Sanctuary Fund, which launched in 2022 to provide up to £10,000 to local initiatives that support refugees.

“We’re very grateful to Wandsworth for allowing us to run this project,” adds Meg, who originally launched the café and social enterprise in 2017.

“Getting to witness people unfurling and becoming themselves again has just been a real privilege.”

With support from local refugee charities CARAS and Wandsworth Welcomes Refugees – which is one of the Mayor’s chosen charities for the coming year – Meg and her team were connected with women who could benefit from the project.

With women from countries including Iran, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, Trinidad, Mali, Zambia, Grenada and India taking part, it’s been a chance for them all to connect with their new community.

The group of 10 women have grown together since the launch of Rooted @ Home in September, which was hosted by the Paradise Cooperative community garden.

And the benefits have already made a huge difference, with the group hosting their own events ranging from a Christmas craft market to a supper club for 40 people.

Melissa, 41, explains: “All my confidence was lost before. You see yourself as broken. I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror and I felt useless.

“I can talk to anyone now. Home Community Café is where my heart is, I have friends here, community and family.

“Being among the group and getting support, laughter and fun, it brings joy to us.

“I feel like I’m coming into my butterfly stage now after so long being hidden away.

“There is a lot of crying and sadness in this process, so just to have those moments of laughter brings a lot of happiness to us.”

Find out more on the Home Community Café website.