Kentish Express Ashford & District
Recognition for council officer’s refugee work
A council officer who has coordinated the effort to welcome refugees from war-torn Syria has been recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.
Anne Forbes has worked as the Syrian Refugees Resettlement Scheme co-ordinator in Ashford after the council stepped in to help rehouse 250 people in the area by 2020.
Ashford Borough Council was among the first authorities to set up a resettlement scheme, which welcomed the first refugees at Christmas in 2015. Now there are 71 Syrians from 15 families who are calling the borough their home, and many have started training for work in construction, as hairdressers, and even to run their own cafe.
One of the youngsters was also among the first to enrol at the new college which opened at Elwick Road in September last year.
The efforts to help them integrate into society have been organised by Ms Forbes, who has is to be presented with the British Empire Medal by Her Majesty the Queen.
She said: “This honour is incredibly humbling. I accept the award gratefully but it is not just for me, it is for Ashford.
“The community response has been fantastic and without the support of a wide range of people and organisations our 15 families would not be where they are today.
“All the corners of the borough have helped to resettle our families and I am pleased the goodwill continues to show the country what Ashford is all about.”
Mrs Forbes said partnerships with the private and voluntary sector have been crucial, as well as support from faith groups and the community.
Organisations including the Prince’s Trust, Ashford Volunteer Bureau, Kent Adult Education, Ashford College and Concept Training have all
‘I accept the award gratefully but it is not just for me, it is for Ashford’
been involved in the scheme.
Mrs Forbes added: “They are extremely hard working people who are eager to establish themselves and stand on their own two feet.
“I shall continue to do this work that I love and help those existing families and the others I shall meet in the future.”
She should receive her medal from the Lord Lieutenant of Kent at Penshurst Place this spring, and be invited to the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in the summer.