St John’s Notting Hill, together with the Persian Anglican Chaplaincy of London, hosted an evening meal on Sunday 21st November for 50 recent Afghan arrivals, catered by Diamond Lounge Afghan restaurant. The evening was attended by The Mayor of Kensington, Councillor Gerard Hargreaves and Councillor Kasim Ali. Personal stories were shared over food, assisted by translators in Dari, Pushtu and Farsi. Most of the preparatory work in welcome was done by Eiman Akbari, an Afghan member of St John’s.
Inspiring accounts of personal courage and determination were heard, and an impressive range of talents, gifts and skills were shared by the new Afghan arrivals. Plans were made with volunteers for English language classes and a women’s group focusing on I.T skills. The hope was expressed that the work of churches and faith groups in welcoming new arrivals to the UK would help to change the prevailing cultural narrative about refugees.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has received around 800 refugees from Afghanistan in recent days.
Many London churches have been actively welcoming new arrivals from Afghanistan.
Our Compassionate Communities team are working in partnership with Housing Justice to provide temporary accommodation for London’s destitute asylum-seekers, refugees and other forced migrants while they resolve their immigration status. Find out more