The future of Frome’s Welcome Hub has been secured, after Frome Town Council became a partner in a new Somerset-wide initiative launching this month to support displaced people.
The Welcome to All programme brings together local authorities, community organisations and charities to build a network of safe, welcoming spaces. The programme is led by Community Council for Somerset (CCS) and funded by Somerset Council.
In Frome, this means continued funding for Iryna Ladyzhenska, displaced persons officer at Frome Town Council and her work at the town hall’s Welcome Hub.
The programme builds on three years of impactful grassroots work and responds to a growing need for practical, compassionate support, rooted in lived experience. Alongside Frome Town Council, delivery partners include Charis Refugees, Wells Community Network, Wells City Council, and Yeovil Community Church, with six hubs launching initially and further outreach to reach rural and underserved areas.
Frome mayor, Cllr Anita Collier said, “Frome has always been a town that welcomes people with open arms, and we’re proud to be part of this compassionate and forward-thinking initiative. Welcome to All is about more than offering help it’s about recognising the strength and resilience of displaced people and creating space for them to thrive as part of our community.”
The initiative is designed in partnership with people who have lived experience of displacement. Bristol Refugee Rights and Spark Somerset are leading on work in this area and will create an advisory group to shape and challenge delivery and ensure services remain responsive, respectful and relevant.
Chief executive officer of CCS, Val Bishop said, “At Community Council for Somerset, we believe everyone deserves to feel safe, valued and welcomed, no matter where they come from. Welcome to All is a powerful example of what we can achieve when we collaborate with communities and those with lived experience. It’s about helping displaced people not only find safety but find their voice, their purpose and their place.”
The programme also marks a significant step forward in mental health and wellbeing support for displaced people. With new investment, partners including D’LOUMMMIES CIC, Mind in Somerset and the Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) will deliver a broader, more flexible offer.
This includes group and one-to-one sessions, trauma-informed support and culturally sensitive interventions.
Find out more about Frome’s Welcome Hub at bit.ly/frome-welcome-hub.
