Restore’s vision is for a society into which all refugees and asylum seekers are welcomed, valued and integrated.
Restore was founded in 1999 by a group of people from churches in Ladywood and Edgbaston. They wanted to help Kosovan refugees fleeing conflict and asylum seekers arriving in our city due to a new policy to accommodate them across Britain.
Restore became a project of Birmingham Churches Together (charity number 243931) in 2000.
From its early days Restore has offered one-to-one befriending and raised awareness about refugee and asylum issues. Group social activities and campaigning work have developed since then.
From a faith and humanitarian perspective, loving our neighbours, welcoming strangers and standing up for the oppressed are values and actions that we can all aspire to implement.
Our Team
The day-to-day work of Restore is carried out by 4 staff members and over 100 volunteers.
Jeremy
Restore Manager
Jasmine
Befriending Co-ordinator
Andy
Befriending Men’s Worker
Liv
Women’s Worker & Communications Officer
Birmingham Churches Together & Management Committee
Restore is governed by the Trustees of Birmingham Churches Together (BCT). The BCT Trustees delegate to a Restore Management Committee responsibility for setting strategy, raising funds and managing staff. The Management Committee is led by two Co-Chairs and one of those Co-Chairs is also a Trustee of Birmingham Churches Together.
The Management Committee includes current and former befrienders and refugees:
James Ashley (Co-Chair), Elizabeth Baker (Co-Chair), Stephen Briggs (Treasurer), Temitayo Ajayi, Tony Taylor, Joscelyn Fitzpatrick and Josh Smith.
We are extremely grateful for the governance oversight of the Birmingham Churches Together trustees: James Ashley (Co-Chair of Restore), Most Revd Bernard Longley, Rev David Ellis, Rev Steven Faber, Ven. Jennifer Tomlinson, Rt. Revd Dr Michael Volland, Bishop Boris McCalla, Rev Deverton Douglas and Rev Novette Headley.
We are extremely grateful for the significant contribution of Restore’s Management Committee members, the committed service of over 100 volunteers involved in Restore’s work and for the governance of BCT Trustees.