"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.
Vicky worked for 25 years for non profit organisations, in communications, marketing and events. After several years in the housing sector, she moved to a more community-based role working for a large, national charity.
Vicky joined Heart4Refugees in 2019 as a volunteer. Her passion and dedication was evident from the outset as well as her ability to use creativity to engage our clients. As a certified art therapist, Vicky manages all of our art-based therapy sessions.
Vicky is also Safeguarding Lead.
A widely travelled multi-lingual retired teacher with a passion for human rights, Caroline has over 40 years experience of working with refugees. She has worked as a teacher, pastoral leader, community development officer (Refugee Action), interpreter (Arabic & French), advocate and hands-on careers advisor, and previously worked with victims of domestic abuse as well as managing a charity shop.
Caroline believes anything is possible with an enthusiastic and positive can-do outlook, and continually works hard to spread happiness and help to transform people's lives.
Caroline volunteered for Heart4Refugees for 6 months teaching music and singing to several clients. She has a passion for music but also for using her skills to help heal those who have suffered from trauma.
Caroline is also a Safeguarding Lead for Heart4Refugees.
One of our earliest volunteers, Chris has been with Heart4Refugees since early 2018. Formerly a retired primary school teacher and now a pastoral worker based at St John’s in Meols, Chris has been continually working to raise awareness of the reality of the situation for refugees arriving in the UK.
We work in partnership with many other refugee and asylum charities and organisations: