A COMMUNITY sponsorship scheme which aims to house a Syrian refugee family in Penarth has been set up.

Croeso Penarth has been established by Llandough Hospital radiographers Amy Da Silva and Sarah Chick along with other individuals, the Salvation Army and All Saints church with the support of Citizens UK.

They held an event in June during refugee week which included Syrian food and a talk from a number of Syrians about their experiences.

They are now fundraising towards the house and recently raised £1800 through a curry night event.

The churches in Penarth are set to hold a series of lunches in the town to raise funds for the project later this year.

The aim of the project is to provide one family with its needs including language, community support, housing

In Wales, similar schemes have already been set up in Narberth and Fishguard

And Ms Da Silva says the schemes have been popping up everywhere having been very successful in Canada.

"We are looking for a private landlord who would be interested in the scheme with a guaranteed tenancy of two years.

"We are looking for a three or four bedroom house but the size of the family that comes will depend on what we can find

The family will come from a United Nations run refugee camp in a bordering country to Syria and will be vetted by the home office through their refugee scheme.

Ms Da Silva said: "These are particularly vulnerably people. We want to help with housing, education and health which will be funded through the Government's aid budget.

"Housing will be provided privately so will not affect people waiting for housing in the area."

"We have had a really positive response with a mix of people with different skills getting involved. This is not a case one or the the other.

"People are in a desperate situation and haven't chosen to leave their homes.

"They are unable to stay where they live in absolutely diabolical conditions.

"Imagine if that was your family."

She said that the families they are trying to help want to come and work and be part of the community.

They say they plan on speaking to the neighbours beforehand so that the family settle in to the neighbourhood.

The family will be given leave to remain in the country for five years, and it is the hope of those behind the project that they will be able to find work and settle into the community during their two year tenancy.

The group says it has had conversations with the Vale council and Penarth Town Council about the idea.

For more information, search for Croeso Penarth on Facebook or email psrefugees@gmail.com.