"Our mission is to break down the barriers that asylum seekers and refugees face, to rebuild lives and improve mental health outcomes through support and empowerment."
The concept of Heart4Refugees was founded in February 2020 by Kathy Vesey and Chris Branch. They supported Syrian refugees who had arrived in Wirral via the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) as well as supporting over 100 Asylum Seekers residing at the Holiday Inn hotel in Hoylake.
In February 2021 Kathy launched Heart4Refugees CIC.
Kathy taught secondary English for 15 years teaching in local schools. Following ill health, Kathy decided to change her career. Having met several refugees, she quickly realised how much support was needed practically and emotionally.
In 2020, Kathy coordinated the daily support for asylum seekers staying at the Holiday Inn, and as this care evolved it became clear that mental health support was crucial to the healing process.
Kathy is the Safeguarding Lead for Heart4Refugees.
"My career background is marketing, communications and events and latterly I studied Journalism and Photography at the University of Chester.My experience with asylum seekers began when I was invited to the Callister Garden to make a photographic record of their ‘Growing together’ project. I met three refugee families on this project, who changed my life.
Following this, I volunteered with Heart4Refugeesfor two years, and was honoured to be invited to join the board of directors. Today,I am deeply proud of what we have achieved as individuals and as an organisation, and proud of the communities we support."
Ruth previously worked as a Health Visitor for 18 years, first in Halton and then West Wirral. Stopping in 2012 to concentrate on spending more time at home with her children, she volunteered with Cruse Bereavement, then Wirral Citizen’s Advice Bureau. Alongside Heart4Refugees Ruth’s family currently offers temporary foster care to Guide Dog puppies awaiting permanent placement.
Ruth started as a volunteer with H4R back in 2021, and it seemed a natural fit that she would support families out in the community, particularly antenatal mums and those with pre-school children. She is now employed by H4R as the Early Years Outreach Team Co-ordinator, leading a team of 5 volunteers supporting refugee and asylum families across the whole of Wirral, including those families living in initial hotel accommodation.
"Hello, I'm Yassmin from Syria. I received my education in Syria and worked as a teacher there. I left Syria in 2011 when the war began. I resided in Lebanon for approximately seven years and worked with UNHCR and Save the Children. My family, consisting of my husband and our daughter and son, came here through the resettlement scheme. We had hoped to find similar opportunities in our new home.
Initially, I experienced a sense of isolation due to the language barrier. However, everything changed when I met Chris and Kathy, who profoundly impacted our lives. I started volunteering with them and eventually became involved with H4R organisation. I am the coordinator for the food parcel and furniture donations. I am tremendously proud to be part of such a fantastic group of colleagues. H4R feels like a home to me, with a pleasant atmosphere and many languages. While it can sometimes be challenging to communicate with individuals who don't speak English, their smiles transcend language barriers.
I firmly believe that every person in this world has the power to make difference in this world. I'm very ambitious person who has big dreams for the future, however I am still learning."
We work in partnership with many other refugee and asylum charities and organisations:
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