Organisers "blown over" by success of refugee and asylum seeker welcome event in Elgin
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ORGANISERS have been "blown over" by the success of an event aiming to help integrate refugees and asylum seekers into the Moray community.
You Me and a Cup of Tea events have been organised across the north-east by Aberdeen Interfaith, with the latest attracting 83 attendees to St Sylvester's Church Hall in Elgin on Saturday, July 1.
In attendance at the event were Ukrainian refugees, who have settled in Moray since Russia's invasion of their homeland, and around 12 asylum seekers from the Eight Acres Hotel.
The asylum seekers – from Iran, Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia among others – enjoyed the event, and are keen to become part of the local community, according to organisers.
Aberdeen Interfaith's chairwoman Patricia Findlay said: "The guys that came along asked if this could happen every week. They are desperate to meet people and practice their English.
"Two of them stayed behind to help clean up and were asking what they can do to help. They were folding up chairs and tables and help hoover.
"They are so happy they can be useful because they can't work until they get their paperwork, which could take a long time.
"They are desperate to be part of the community."
The main objective of the event was to allow members of the local community, refugees and asylum seekers to meet each other.
A traditional Ukrainian cake was baked for all in attendance, before ladies from the eastern European nation sung for visitors.
Men from countries such as Eritrea, where indefinite military service is currently forced upon all males, and Sudan, where civil war is raging, had a chance to talk to locals.
St Sylvester's church member Sarah-Anne Kielczweski and Sister Imelda Ann, along with Police Scotland's Sarah Grant, helped make the day a reality.
A small group of volunteers from local churches and Elgin Mosque also helped pull things together.
Mrs Kielczweski said: "So many people came together to help – everyone did a little bit and that multiplied to become so much more.
"It was very sweet to see people come together to support each other. People were saying 'all I did was serve tea' or 'all I did was bake a cake' but each of these gestures added up to much more.
"The event came together really well and the refugees and asylum seekers felt a lot of kindness and support. If events like this could happen every week they would love that."
Organisers admitted that they weren't sure how many would attend the event, but were overwhelmed by the numbers that turned out. There is hope that a similar event will follow in the autumn time.
"We didn't really know how many people would come but it was just amazing," Patricia Findlay added. "We had to pull out more tables and chairs.
"I've been blown over by the enthusiasm and the buzz created by the event."
