United Refugee Organization

MORE than 500 West Yorkshire volunteers give more than 100,000 hours of their time every year to help refugees and asylum seekers.

The figures have come from the Refugee Council in Yorkshire and Humberside.

Research shows the picture often painted of British people as hostile or indifferent to refugees and asylum seekers is one-sided, says the Council.

Charlotte Cooke, Refugee Council Head of Operations in Yorkshire and Humberside, said: “This research shows that Yorkshire’s tradition of welcoming people fleeing from danger is still alive and kicking. Some sections of the media and some politicians have helped to foster the idea that the vast majority of Britons are only interested in stopping people getting here in the first place or kicking them out as soon as possible.

“But this research tells a different story of a large number of people who are so supportive of refugees that they will give up their time freely to help them.”

Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds provide friendship and mentoring for refugees, working at drop-in centres, giving practical support, counselling people or helping them learn English.

British born people work alongside refugee volunteer workers, and many friendships have been formed. Frank Stevens, 30, is a former table tennis champion and geography teacher. He fled Iran after being tortured and persecuted. Mr Stevens said: “I want to tell my story to young people because I want to show them we are the same as each other, we are all people. I want to contribute to England, it is my country now because I live here.”

Ed Carlisle, 28, a community project worker, volunteered for a project welcoming new people to Leeds. Through the project he met Olivier (Oli) Nkunzimana, 22, who had come to the UK from the Democratic Republic of Congo in early 2006.

The two have since become close friends, working and volunteering together on community projects. Ed said: ” I’ve been able to support him in various ways, like helping him plug into some great community projects.