​‘Great vibe’ at community event on Syrian Refugee Crisis

A community engagement event held by The Highlands Supports Refugees and The Highland Third Sector Interface in Alness last evening (18 May) was well attended by over seventy people.

At the meeting, which was held in Alness High School, presentations were made by Highlands Supports Refugees and Highland Third Sector Interface who were supported by volunteers and members of the Syrian Refugee planning group. Highland Multicultural Friends also provided food for the evening. 

Mhairi Wylie, Chief Officer, Highland Third Sector Interface said: “I'd like to thank everyone who took part in last night’s meeting, the school for providing a venue, our volunteers for their help, Highland Multicultural Friends for their fantastic food and a very special thank you to the people of Alness for coming along and participating. 

"While there were of course questions and queries, which are only natural, we were delighted with the enthusiasm to help and welcome people into the area.  The evening had a great vibe and we are looking forward to taking the suggestions and ideas forward."

The community engagement event was organised to support Highland Community Planning partners (The Highland Council, NHS Highland and Police Scotland) in their preparations for receiving the first Syrian Refugees to the Highland area.

The UK Government, in response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis, has pledged to accommodate and find new homes for 20,000 refugees by 2020.  Highland is supporting this effort by relocating approximately 25 to 30 families over this period, the first of which will start to arrive in the region soon.