THE work of a North Somerset charity supporting asylum seekers and refugees has been given royal approval.
Refugees Welcome North Somerset's founder and Chief Executive Officer, Donna King received an invitation to the first royal garden party of 2024 at Buckingham Palace.
Guests being recognised for their contribution to public life were presented to King Charles, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne. Sophie and Edward, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were also in attendance.
Music was provided by two military bands and the high tea menu included cucumber, mint and lemon cream cheese sandwiches and strawberry and rosewater cheesecake.
Donna King of Refugees Welcome North Somerset said: “It was a surreal but special experience, and I am honoured to have been nominated and proud to represent the RWNS team, staff, volunteers, and our community members, at the palace.”
Refugees Welcome North Somerset was set up as a community response to the global humanity crisis in 2016.
A dedicated Welcome Centre opened in Weston super Mare in June 2023, providing a safe place to meet new friends and access support. It offers friendship, support, advocacy, clothes and household items, English conversation, and lots more.
The centre also offers a free shop and a base for the successful Welcome Meals project, offering a diverse menu of nutritious meals, training opportunities and employability skills.
The charity, which is powered by volunteers, also provides ‘pop-up’ welcome centres offering English lessons, advocacy, and friendship across the region.
Refugees Welcome North Somerset (RWNS) are currently looking for volunteers to join the team, anyone who is interested should email volunteer.coordinator@rwns.org.uk.
Volunteering with RWNS can be flexible to fit your skills, interests and capacity. They have opportunities to get involved with face-to-face support for the charity's friends and guests, as well as behind-the-scenes help with admin and logistics.
Opportunities are available across multiple sites in North Somerset including Weston super Mare, Nailsea, Clevedon, Banwell/West Wick and Winford.
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