What is Persecution?

Persecution is like being bullied, but it is worse than being bullied as people may have been imprisoned and tortured and members of their families may have been killed. It’s got so bad for them and they have so much fear that more bad things will happen that they leave their own countries to find a safer place to live. Today these people are called refugees. They come to Britain from countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Congo, Somalia and Eritrea.

Here’s a Bible story to help explain.

Click on the picture

What is RESTORE?

RESTORE is a project set up by the churches in Birmingham and Solihull to welcome and support refugees and asylum seekers. When people are new to the city they may be lonely, or they may be very sad because of bad things which have happened to them in their countries.

They need new friends and help to settle.

RESTORE has a befriending scheme where we link a volunteer from Birmingham to an asylum seeker or refugee adult or family.

 What does a volunteer befriender do?

• Is a friend
• Listens to them
• Helps with English
• Takes them to the doctor or dentist or solicitor
• Takes them to places to enjoy — a gallery or museum or park or for a coffee
• Tells them about other services

 What does RESTORE do for children?

In the winter churches in Harborne and Handsworth invite refugee and asylum seeker families to parties. These are great events with party food, ice cream, cakes, craft activities, games like pass the parcel, and entertainment often from a clown. People also donate presents so that the children have toys to take away with them.

In the summer holidays, it’s a great time to have days out. RESTORE organises some day trips for refugee and asylum seeker families. These trips have included: visiting Ragley Hall, Drayton Manor Park, Sea Life Centre, Birmingham Nature Centre, the Lickey Hills where a church gives us a great lunch after our walk and time in the play area and swimming parties.

 RESTORE Wordsearch

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