Refugees shared powerful stories at a Winchester Rotary Club meeting.
Members of the club were given first-hand accounts of the challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers.
The club president, Nick Bell, welcomed guests to the meeting on Monday, August 10 at the Wessex Hotel, including Rotary District Governor Steve Parsons and Assistant District Governor Allan Priddy.
He introduced speakers Lesley Sheldon-Browning, a trustee and volunteer with Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group (SWVG), and Kennedy Indyhole.
Lesley delivered a presentation titled Lives in Limbo: A Journey Through the Asylum System.
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She explained the difficulties asylum seekers face after arriving in the UK, often following dangerous journeys from countries affected by conflict or persecution.
She highlighted how language barriers and the complexity of the asylum process can leave many people struggling to navigate life in a new country, despite being highly educated, skilled, and eager to work.
SWVG supports asylum seekers and refugees through befriending, English lessons, housing assistance, and social activities designed to help them integrate into local communities. It currently supports around 70 people in Winchester.
Kennedy, who sought sanctuary in the UK after suffering persecution in Uganda because of his political activism and support for human rights, also spoke.
Mr Indyhole described how he was forced to flee his homeland, leaving his family behind, before eventually finding safety and support in Winchester.
For more on the charity go to swvg-refugees.org.uk/
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