Lewisham Council has called on the Government to resettle a further 100 Syrian refugee families in the borough.

Damian Egan, Lewisham Council’s elected Mayor, made the pledge at a reception, which was attended by community groups, agencies and some family members who have already been resettled in the borough.

During the reception the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor and Councillor Bonavia, signed a letter to the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, setting out the council’s ambitions and seeking the government’s commitment to support their undertaking.

Supporting the call to resettle more refugees

Single Homeless Project fully supports the calls to resettle more refugees, and has been working in the borough for the past three years supporting families to settle into their new community and home.

Mark Taylor, SHP’s Assistant Director, said: ‘We are fully behind Lewisham Council’s calls to resettle even more refugees from Syria and the surrounding region. So far we’ve seen some fantastic success stories, with several family members finding employment, and one of the younger refugees started at university this September.

Thriving in their communities

‘We are continually amazed by the families' drive, enthusiasm and passion to start a new life. Many arrived in the UK after experiencing unspeakable traumas and with very little English skills – the fact that so many of them are now thriving in their communities is not only testament to their hard work, but the fantastic work of community groups, the council and agencies coming together to support these people.’

Kris Gavin, Refugee Programme Manager for Lewisham Council, said: 'Lewisham council is proud to support refugees and we are here today to ask the government to support our ambitious target to take on more families from Syria and the Levant region in need of resettlement. We are grateful for the work of SHP, Citizens UK and all the community groups, residents and our partners internally and externally including the Job Centre Plus who have come together to make this possible.'

All the refugees who have resettled in Lewisham have arrived through the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme and the Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme.

Find out more about our work with refugees.