In November, we reintroduced our Weekly Welcomes every Wednesday at Westgate Baptist Church, which have been incredibly successful!

Every week, we warmly greet 30-40 individuals seeking refuge to join us for friendly chats, delicious meals, and engaging games.

We have been honoured to host talks by local police and fire community engagement officers, workshops by Scotswood Garden, performances by Skimstone Arts, and visits from organizations like the LGA Foundation and Newcastle University

Our Weekly Welcome offers a safe space for people to relax and enjoy themselves, away from the pressures of the asylum process. If anyone needs support, we direct them to meet us later at the WERS building where we can assist them.

Our cooking group is a favourite feature, where volunteers gather weekly to cook delightful dishes from their home countries like Pakistan, Eritrea, Egypt, and Syria. This group not only imparts new skills but also encourages teamwork, resulting in a shared homemade meal.

We are proud of this initiative and continuously strive to improve it to meet the needs of those seeking refuge in Newcastle. Recently, a client volunteered to launch a successful hair cutting service!

If you are interested in learning more or volunteering, please contact alison@wers.org.uk.