Photography competition – keep an eye out for the winners

We’re helping to promote a photography competition for Freedom From Torture (www.freedomphotocompetition.co.uk) – keep a look out for the winners of this who will be seen in Bath’s 44AD art space from 14-16 June. 

The deadline to enter the competition was extended to Sunday 28 April.

As the organisers say: “Everyone should be able to live in freedom. Yet today there are 110 million people forcibly displaced worldwide. Each person, with their own hopes, fears and dreams, has been forced to flee from violence, conflict and persecution, leaving their homes, communities or countries behind. 

“We’re inviting you to explore the word ‘freedom’ by taking part in this open photography competition to fundraise for Freedom from Torture, a charity which supports refugee survivors of torture in the UK.”

A selection of the photographs will be made for exhibition and a winner in each age group and a number of runner-ups will be decided by a professional jury made up of eminent photographers Kolbassia Haoussou MBE, Aisha Olamide Seriki and director of Panos Pictures Adrian Evans. Winners in each category will be awarded prize money and a longlist of entries will be published in our digital gallery. 

The photos will be displayed at the following prestigious galleries:
The Velorose Gallery (London): 17th-29th June 2024
The Glasgow Gallery of Photography (Glasgow): 17th-23rd June 2024
44AD artspace (Bath): 14th-16th June 2024

Boutique sale to raise funds – Thurs 2 May

A fantastic BWR pre-loved Boutique Sale is on next Thursday, 2nd May in Combe Down. Please come along, find a fashionable bargain and contribute to a fantastic cause!

Volunteers needed for Off The Record

Off the Record Bath and North East Somerset is running a volunteer independent visitor service and is looking for long term befrienders to children/young people aged 5-18 looked after in foster care.  

Each volunteer is matched with one young person and takes them out for an activity once a month. 

All applicants welcome. Visit https://www.offtherecord-banes.co.uk/volunteer for more information.

Off the Record Bath and North East Somerset (OTR) improves the emotional health and wellbeing of young people. OTR provides a range of free services for anyone aged 10-25 living, working or studying in BaNES, including counselling, listening support, youth participation, advocacy, support for care leavers and a LGBTQ+ focused youth group.

Busy in the background

BWR has been working away with plans for a new logo and website to better reflect the work we do and the people we support. We look forward to unveiling this later in the year.

We’re so very grateful to the kind people helping us with design and inspiration and content and all the techie stuff that’s going to make this possible.

Right now, we’d particularly like to thank Darius Jéan, who invited the team to his Bath studio for professional headshots for our new website.

Darius, who is a photographer and filmmaker specialising in weddings and events, says: “I search for joy. I capture moments that are for the most part unposed to document the story: not create it.”

We love this example of his beautiful work, below. For more information and to see more of his photography visit www.dariusjean.co.uk.

Charlotte MacDiarmid steps down from trustee board

Charlotte MacDiarmid stepped down from the trustee board and her role as chair at the end of March. Charlotte joined BWR as a trustee in late 2019 and we thank her for the huge part she has played in those four years.

She had this message for BWR colleagues: “I have loved being part of such a wonderful and dynamic local charity. Its been quite a journey and I’m proud of what we’ve been able to achieve together. Its been a pleasure to work alongside such a dedicated and compassionate bunch of people – you are all amazing! I’m constantly inspired at the lengths BWR volunteers and staff go to to make sure refugees and asylum seekers in Bath feel welcome, feel supported, and have a chance at a better life here. Its a very positive antidote to the sometimes toxic discourse at national level.”

“I’m confident I’m leaving the trustee board in a good place. In the past year we have recruited new trustees who bring new experience, skills and expertise to the board.

“I wish BWR every success going forward and I will continue to support from the sidelines. Together we can all continue to make Bath and the surrounding area a warm and welcoming place for those who have been forced to flee their homelands.”

BWR Jumble Sale – Sat 2nd March

The fantastic BWR Jumble Sale is on again this Saturday 2nd March. Please come along, find a bargain and contribute to a fantastic cause!

Trustee job advert


This is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of refugees and asylum seekers living in Bath. The charity is at an exciting stage of its development. If you are passionate about welcoming people seeking safety in the UK and have lived experience as a refugee or asylum seeker or experience in fundraising, comms, legal or charity governance and management, we’d love to hear from you!

We are looking to recruit two Trustees with the skills, experience, energy, and time to commit to our vital work. 

We welcome applications from people with characteristics that are often underrepresented on charity boards, including disabled people, women, people of colour, those who identify as LGBTQ+, and young people.

What will you be doing?

Our Trustee Board is responsible for the governance of Bath Welcomes Refugees. The Board does not directly manage the day-to-day work, but provides oversight, shapes organisational strategy and supports our staff and volunteers. We are more hands-on than most charity boards. 

Please see the attached role descriptions for full details. 

Specific activities include monthly trustee meetings, biannual meetings with the Management Committee, the Annual General Meeting, and ad hoc attendance at fundraising/promotional events. As a small charity, there will be times when the trustees will need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. 

What difference will you make?

Bath Welcomes Refugees is a small, dynamic local organisation that continues to grow and develop. In the past two years, the scope and volume of our work has expanded considerably, and we have taken on our first paid staff members. The new trustee(s) will support us to ensure we have a strong strategy and robust governance to consolidate our growth and meet our mission. 

Trustees will bring crucial insights and guidance from their own backgrounds, as we continue to refine our strategy, strengthen our structure and fundraising, and manage risk. This is your opportunity to be part of a respectful, inclusive, friendly team and make a difference in the lives of people living in your local area.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of experience and thinking on our board. 

Please see the attached role descriptions for full details.

We are particularly looking for people with experience in the following:

  • Legal background within non-profit sector
  • Experience of the UK charity sector, especially management and/or governance
  • Fundraising
  • Communications, public relations, and social media
  • IT and data security
  • Experience or knowledge of refugee resettlement and issues facing refugees and asylum seekers
  • Lived experience as a refugee or asylum seeker

What we can offer you

  • Experience of strategy and leadership in the charity sector, supporting your professional development and boosting your CV
  • The opportunity to be part of a friendly passionate team, applying your unique skills and experience while learning from others
  • Access to training on charity governance, safeguarding, refugee welfare and rights, and other relevant topics
  • Reimbursement of reasonable expenses

How to apply

Please send your CV with a one-page covering letter to [email protected] by Friday November 24th, 2023. We aim to hold interviews in the week commencing 4th December.

We welcome applications from people with characteristics that are often underrepresented on charity boards, including disabled people, women, people of colour, those who identify as LGBTQ+, and young people.

If you are passionate about welcoming refugees and asylum seekers and want to be involved in growing a small charity, we welcome your application. If you don’t meet the above criteria, but still want to be a trustee or get involved in another capacity, we would still love to hear from you. 

For an informal chat about the roles, please get in touch with our Chair of Trustees, Charlotte MacDiarmid,  [email protected].

Click here to find out more about the role

BWR Syrian Feast & Auction!

We’re pleased to invite you to join us on Saturday, 14 October for a fantastic Syrian Feast and Auction!
A night of delicious and authentic Syrian food cooked by local chefs, plus an auction and raffle of great items donated by local businesses (see Auction List below).
Find more details on the attached flyer and Buy your Tickets on Eventbrite 

IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO BE AT THE AUCTION BUT WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT
BWR AND MAKE A BID FOR ANY OF THE ITEMS ABOVE YOU MAY DO SO BY
SUBMITTING AN ONLINE BID:

Please email: [email protected]

By NOON on Friday 13th October 2023

You will be notified on 15th October if yours is the successful bid.

Include:

  • your name and contact phone number
  • The lot number and description
  • Your maximum bid value £

Your invitation: BWR’s Supporters Evening 21st September

We would like to invite you to Bath Welcomes Refugees’ Supporters evening on Thursday 21st September from 7pm-8pm, at The Bubble, St John’s Foundation, 4-5 Chapel Court, Bath, BA1 1SQ.

This is your chance to hear about all the amazing work BWR has been up to over the past year. We will share updates on the charity and highlights from our volunteer teams supporting refugees of different nationalities in Bath and the surrounding area.

Two recent arrivals in the UK will also share their experiences of settling in Bath and volunteering with BWR to help their local communities.

The speakers will be:

  • Charlotte MacDiarmid, Chair of the Trustee Board
  • Sara Barna, Chair of the Management Committee
  • Kurda Yar, BWR Operations Officer
  • Mir Miri, volunteer coordinator for Afghans
  • Vira Navalihina, volunteer coordinator for Ukrainians

Light refreshments will be provided.

The supporters evening will be followed by the AGM from 8pm-8.30pm.

We look forward to seeing many of you there!

UPDATE – Picnic has been cancelled

Due to the wet weather forecast it has been decided to cancel the picnic.

Saturday 22nd July 2023
From 12 -2 PM
Royal Victoria Park (BA1 2NQ) – above the duck pond area

Please bring your food, drinks and something to sit on
Looking forward to seeing you all
Please note children should always be under the supervision
of their parents and guardians. Thank you.