"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 a Safeguarding Lead for Heart4Refugees.
Vicky brings expertise from a career spanning 25 years in corporate sector marketing management followed by communications for non-profits, before joining the charity sector.
She studied journalism and fine art photography at the University of Chester and it was volunteering on a creative project with refugee families in 2019 that led her to the charity sector and Heart4Refugees.
Vicky is a Safeguarding Lead for Heart4Refugees.
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 Heart4Refugees as the Early Years Outreach Team Co-ordinator, leading a team of five volunteers supporting refugee and asylum families across the whole of Wirral, including those families living in initial hotel accommodation.
Yassmin arrived in the UK from Syria through the resettlement scheme with her husband and two children. She worked as a teacher in Syria but left in 2011 when the war began.
She then lived in Lebanon for seven years working with the UNHCR and Save the Children.
Today Yassmin is studying to become an interpreter and works with Heart4Refugees as part of a small team, running the busy Drop-in Centre and supporting members of the refugee and asylum community.
Hasina Ahmadi has a degree in Journalism and Communications from Kabul University – Afghanistan. She arrived in the UK in 2021 on a working Visa along with her husband and her 1.5 years old son. Back in Afghanistan, Hasina used to be a Secondary School Teacher
in Kabul.
She started working with Heart4Refugees as a Volunteer in 2023. Currently she is working as Drop-in Coordinator as a staff member of Heart4Refugees.
Bridget graduated in History and Spanish from Cardiff University. She taught TEFL to children and adults for four years in Spain, then following a Primary PGCE she worked as a Primary Teacher in Wirral, Liverpool and Manchester schools for eight years. She worked in Wirral Children's Centres for almost four years supporting early years parents and children including refugees and families seeking asylum.
Bridget started working at Heart4Refugees in April 2024.
Bandar arrived in the UK in 2022. After receiving his leave to remain, he worked tirelessly to secure accommodation, find employment, and learn English. Alongside working two jobs, he has become a highly valued member of the H4R team. Bandar helps to run our daily drop-in, managing the kitchen and supporting the health and safety of the large number of people who access our services each day.
His dedication, reliability, and warm presence make him an essential part of our community.
We work in partnership with many other refugee and asylum charities and organisations:
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