Create a community support group to help hosts welcome refugee families and individuals, providing shared responsibility and comprehensive support for successful resettlement.
The Open Community serves as Ireland's National Support Organisation for the Community Sponsorship Programme for Refugees, representing a collaborative partnership between Doras, The Irish Red Cross, The Irish Refugee Council, Nasc, UNHCR, and Amnesty International Ireland.
The programme emerged from extensive consultation with experienced hosts and leading experts, incorporating feedback from both hosts and people who have successfully resettled in Ireland. One host shared: "Hosting has been one of the most enriching and positive experiences I have ever had... Having access to a range of different supports and resources to help guide the experience is hugely important and very valuable."
The initiative works in partnership with Helping Irish Hosts, a volunteer organisation that has successfully matched almost 800 Ukrainians with over 260 Irish host households since March 2022. Additional resources include the Swift Integration app, available in English, Arabic, Pashto, Dari, and Ukrainian, providing essential information about life in Ireland including social welfare, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.
http://www.helpingirishhosts.com/
How to get involved
Time:
Approximately 3-5 hours weekly for initial setup and ongoing group coordination.
Links