Welsh Refugee Council

Welsh Refugee Council Wales' national charity supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Wales. Elusen genedlaethol Cymru sy’n cefnogi ffoaduriaid a cheiswyr lloches yng Nghymru.

What We Do:

Refugee Move-on Support
We deliver individual casework in Cardiff, Newport and Swansea to people who have been granted refugee status or other forms of leave to remain within the asylum system. Supporting Families
A play support programme for families with young children that help children deal with the trauma of fleeing from
persecution. Speaking Out
We speak out to ensure polic

y and practice meet the needs of asylum seekers and refugees, promote their rights and challenge discrimination. Education and Training support
Weekly ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) to asylum seekers and refugees, helping them build their skills and confidence in readiness for further education,
employment or training. Partnerships
All our work is done in partnership with organisations across Wales, the UK and Europe to deliver the best outcomes for asylum seekers and refugees in Wales

Other Services
These include, hardship support, partnership drop in services, conversation groups, photography well-being project, food bank, and destitution.

05/08/2026

🏆 Equalities Champion Winner: Women Connect First��Congratulations to Women Connect First, winner of the Equalities Champion!

🎉��Women Connect First creates safe, welcoming spaces where women build confidence, find their voice and belong. A truly inspiring example of equality, empowerment and community.

❤️��If this story means something to you, you can support our work here: https://app.donorfy.com/form/05GRU0OZF2/CYK19��

We sincerely thank Race Equality First for their sponsorship for the Nation of Sanctuary Awards - without their dedicated support for this event - acknowledging and celebrating achievements such as this just wouldn't be possible ��



🏆 Enillydd Equalities Champion: Women Connect First��Llongyfarchiadau i Women Connect First!

🎉��Mae Women Connect First yn creu mannau diogel a chroesawgar lle gall menywod fagu hyder, dod o hyd i'w llais a pherthyn. Enghraifft wirioneddol ysbrydoledig o gydraddoldeb, grymuso a chymuned.

❤️��Os yw'r stori hon yn golygu rhywbeth i chi, gallwch gefnogi ein gwaith yma: https://app.donorfy.com/form/05GRU0OZF2/CYK19

��Rydym yn diolch yn ddiffuant i Race Equality First am noddi Gwobrau Cenedl Noddfa.. Heb eu cefnogaeth ymroddedig i'r digwyddiad hwn, ni fyddai'n bosibl cydnabod a dathlu cyflawniadau fel hyn, �

29/07/2026

🏆 Volunteer of the Year Winner: Nataliia Panchenko��Congratulations to Nataliia Panchenko, winner of the Volunteer of the Year!

🎉��Nataliia leads projects supporting refugees and families facing isolation, from Pembrokeshire to Cardiff. Her compassion and leadership continue to make a lasting difference.

❤️��If this story means something to you, you can support our work here: https://app.donorfy.com/form/05GRU0OZF2/CYK19��

We sincerely thank Cardiff and Vale College for their sponsorship for the Nation of Sanctuary Awards - without their dedicated support for this event - acknowledging and celebrating achievements such as this just wouldn't be possible. ��


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🏆 Enillydd Volunteer of the Year: Nataliia Panchenko��Llongyfarchiadau i Nataliia Panchenko!

🎉��Mae Nataliia yn arwain prosiectau sy'n cefnogi ffoaduriaid a theuluoedd sy'n wynebu unigedd, o Sir Benfro i Gaerdydd. Mae ei thosturi a'i harweinyddiaeth yn parhau i wneud gwahaniaeth parhaol.

❤️��Os yw'r stori hon yn golygu rhywbeth i chi, gallwch gefnogi ein gwaith yma: https://app.donorfy.com/form/05GRU0OZF2/CYK19

�Rydym yn diolch yn ddiffuant i Cardiff and Vale College am noddi Gwobrau Cenedl Noddfa.. Heb eu cefnogaeth ymroddedig i'r digwyddiad hwn, ni fyddai'n bosibl cydnabod a dathlu cyflawniadau fel hyn.

75 years of the Refugee ConventionFrom Algeria in the 1960s to Vietnam in the 1970s, from Central America in the 1980s t...
28/07/2026

75 years of the Refugee Convention

From Algeria in the 1960s to Vietnam in the 1970s, from Central America in the 1980s to conflicts happening today, millions of people have been forced to leave their homes in search of safety.

The 1951 Refugee Convention was created in response to one simple but powerful idea: people fleeing persecution should not be sent back into danger.

For 75 years, it has helped protect the right to seek asylum, to live free from persecution, and to rebuild a life in safety. It is not just a historical document. It is a commitment that continues to matter every day, in every part of the world.

Here in Wales, that commitment is reflected in the people, communities and organisations that welcome those seeking sanctuary. Families who arrive in cities and towns across Wales are part of the same global story: people searching for safety, dignity and a chance to begin again.

The Convention does not solve every crisis. But it creates a shared standard of protection that has saved countless lives and remains as important now as it was in 1951.

As we mark its 75th anniversary, we remember that behind every statistic is a person, a family and a future worth protecting.

Croeso. Welcome.

With thanks to for preserving and sharing historical refugee archive images that help tell this global story.

Donate to our work to keep the spirit of the convention alive: https://app.donorfy.com/form/05GRU0OZF2/CYK19

22/07/2026

🏆 Woman of the Year Award Winner: Viktoriia Kizim

Congratulations to Viktoriia Kizim, winner of the Woman of the Year Award! 🎉
Drawing on her background in acting, Viktoriia helps children express themselves, build confidence and find their voice.

Through every project, she creates welcoming spaces where young people feel supported, valued and part of a community. Her compassion, creativity and dedication have helped countless children feel less alone.

A truly inspiring example of the difference one person can make. ❤️

If this story means something to you, you can support our work here: https://buff.ly/D4NKiJV

Thank you to the sponsor of this award



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🏆 Enillydd Gwobr Menyw y Flwyddyn: Viktoriia Kizim

Llongyfarchiadau i Viktoriia Kizim, enillydd Gwobr Menyw y Flwyddyn! 🎉

Gan ddefnyddio ei chefndir mewn actio, mae Viktoriia yn helpu plant i fynegi eu hunain, magu hyder a dod o hyd i'w llais.

Drwy bob prosiect, mae'n creu mannau croesawgar lle mae pobl ifanc yn teimlo eu bod yn cael eu cefnogi, eu gwerthfawrogi ac yn rhan o gymuned. Mae ei thosturi, ei chreadigrwydd a'i hymroddiad wedi helpu plant di-ri i deimlo'n llai unig.

Enghraifft wirioneddol ysbrydoledig o'r gwahaniaeth y gall un person ei wneud. ❤️

Os yw'r stori hon yn golygu rhywbeth i chi, gallwch gefnogi ein gwaith yma: https://buff.ly/D4NKiJV

Diolch i noddwr y wobr hon,

Hey Andy 👋Every day we see the spirit of croeso alive and well in Cymru, as communities of welcome and sanctuary seekers...
21/07/2026

Hey Andy 👋

Every day we see the spirit of croeso alive and well in Cymru, as communities of welcome and sanctuary seekers work together to build safer futures.

With stretched services and a cost-of-living squeeze, people have real worries, and it's fair to ask how the system is (or isn't) working. But blaming people seeking safety for those problems hasn't fixed anything. It just makes life harder for families who've already lost everything.

Now is the time to draw a clear line under this approach.

It's why we joined 218 other organisations to call for a fairer system, end hostile politics, and focus on what unites us - to build hope, humanity, and common ground.

15/07/2026

🏆 Business and Innovation Award Winner: My Sister’s House

Congratulations to My Sister’s House, winner of the Business and Innovation Award! 🎉
Leyla has always had a remarkable gift for bringing people together. After arriving in Wales seeking sanctuary as a single mother of three, she built a reputation for her warmth, generosity and unforgettable Kurdish food.

Through passion, resilience and community spirit, My Sister’s House has become much more than a place to eat – it’s a place where people connect, cultures are celebrated and everyone is made to feel at home.

A truly inspiring story of entrepreneurship, innovation and the power of community. ❤️

If this story means something to you, you can support our work here https://app.donorfy.com/form/05GRU0OZF2/CYK19



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🏆 **Enillydd Gwobr Busnes ac Arloesi: My Sister’s House**

Llongyfarchiadau i **My Sister’s House**, enillydd y **Wobr Busnes ac Arloesi**! 🎉

Mae Leyla erioed wedi bod â dawn arbennig i ddod â phobl ynghyd. Ar ôl cyrraedd Cymru yn ceisio noddfa fel mam sengl i dri o blant, fe adeiladodd enw da am ei chynhesrwydd, ei haelioni a'i bwyd Cwrdaidd bythgofiadwy.

Drwy angerdd, gwydnwch ac ysbryd cymunedol, mae My Sister’s House wedi dod yn llawer mwy na lle i fwyta – mae’n fan lle mae pobl yn cysylltu, lle mae diwylliannau’n cael eu dathlu, a lle mae pawb yn cael eu gwneud i deimlo'n gartrefol.

Stori wirioneddol ysbrydoledig am entrepreneuriaeth, arloesi a grym cymuned. ❤️

Os yw'r stori hon yn golygu rhywbeth i chi, gallwch gefnogi ein gwaith yma: https://app.donorfy.com/form/05GRU0OZF2/CYK19

Meet the people who made Wales home 🫶Our Shaping Nations book is full of stories. Stories of courage. Stories of belongi...
14/07/2026

Meet the people who made Wales home 🫶

Our Shaping Nations book is full of stories. Stories of courage. Stories of belonging. Stories that remind us Wales has always been shaped by the people who live here, and by the ones it welcomed in return.

📖 Dive into the stories for yourself https://wrc.wales/shaping-nations/



Cwrddwch â'r bobl sydd wedi gwneud Cymru yn gartref 🫶

Mae ein llyfr Shaping Nations yn llawn straeon. Straeon am ddewrder. Straeon am berthyn. Straeon sy'n ein hatgoffa fod Cymru wedi cael ei llunio erioed gan y bobl sy'n byw yma, a chan y rhai y mae wedi'u croesawu yn eu tro.

📖 Darllenwch y straeon drosoch eich hun https://wrc.wales/shaping-nations/

The 2026 Nation of Sanctuary Awards are in 🌟Meet the mum learning her third language while raising five kids, the volunt...
17/06/2026

The 2026 Nation of Sanctuary Awards are in 🌟

Meet the mum learning her third language while raising five kids, the volunteer running football sessions for young people seeking safety every single week, and all the brilliant winners and finalists from this year's awards.

These stories deserve to travel far and wide this so give them a share today 🧡

This Volunteers' Week, we're celebrating the people who refuse to give up on people 🧡When Sara* met Alison and the BOOST...
06/06/2026

This Volunteers' Week, we're celebrating the people who refuse to give up on people 🧡

When Sara* met Alison and the BOOST volunteer project, she wasn't sure how she could achieve her dream of caring for children in the community.

Alison saw someone who wanted to give back and together they found a way to make that happen.

Swipe to read Sara's full story 📖

*name changed to protect privacy

Address

Cardiff

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 1pm
2pm - 3pm
Tuesday 10am - 1pm
2pm - 3pm
Thursday 10am - 1pm
2pm - 3pm
Friday 10am - 1pm

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