Hope amid anxiety for our Syrian guests

Alongside Syrians around the world, many people gathered in Trafalgar Square this weekend celebrating the defeat of the Assad regime. For over a decade, thousands of Syrians displaced by the civil war have embarked upon dangerous journeys to reach the UK. Faced with Britain’s hostile immigration system, many Syrian people seeking safety in the UK have endured detention and homelessness.  

What does the news mean for the Syrian refugees who have been staying with us recently who have been worried about their families back at home? Since July we have had 5 Syrian guests staying with us at our shelter. While there is a jubilant sense of relief, this is mixed with anxiety. 

A Syrian man who stayed with us for two months recently secured accommodation. Before fleeing, his home was bombed, and he got trapped under the rubble. Throughout his stay at the shelter he expressed profound distress, worrying about the wellbeing of his family who are still in Syria. So, the news stirs up both hope and apprehension that the situation continues to improve.