AUTHORITIES say they are confident Syrian refugees will be given a warm welcome when they arrive in Clydebank in the coming days.
West Dunbartonshire Supports Refugees, a community group that sends supplies to people fleeing war and persecution in Europe, is supporting West Dunbartonshire Council to integrate 10 Syrian families into the Clydebank community.
The local authority announced last week that refugees would be re-homed in the Radnor Park area from this Monday, November 23 onwards.
Now, the council and West Dunbartonshire Supports Refugees have unveiled plans to support Syrians to rebuild their lives here.
Council chiefs say English lessons will be provided, as well as interpreters, whilest schools are being supported to ensure Syrian children fully participate in education.
Louise Robertson, of West Dunbartonshire Supports Refugees, said: “The council is doing a lot to support refugees when they get here. We would hope to support refugees with things like travel, however we will wait to meet them to find out what help they need.
“The refugees have survived war and the most horrific circumstances, so they will be traumatised, but we will listen and do whatever we can for them.”
Louise said her group was working closely with West Dunbartonshire Ethnic Women’s Group, which already runs a befriending programme. The organisation has planned a children’s day and is looking forward to meeting Syrian women settling in Clydebank.
Work is also under way to create parcels of household goods and clothing which have been donated in Clydebank and Dumbarton in recent months. Parcels will be made up when volunteers learn more about the gender, age and family make-up of those coming to the area.
A council spokesman said: “Central to promoting integration amongst all residents living in the area will be a community-led Refugee Integration Network, which had its first meeting this week.
"A number of local groups are offering buddying and befriending support and the number of local residents who are offering to help is inspiring and a credit to the local community. A well-attended public meeting held on Thursday provided residents with further information and explained what they could do to help welcome the families.”
Despite the ongoing work to make refugees feel welcome, graffiti, which many believe is targeted at refugees, was spray-painted in Radnor Park on Sunday. One resident, who did not want to be named, said: “I really don’t want refugees to become targets and we don’t want to be living next door to those being targeted.”
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