Syria refugees: Shropshire towns gearing up for arrivals

The towns were chosen along with several others throughout Britain, to receive families displaced by the crisis in their home country.

Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council have both committed to taking around 10 families.

Those who have volunteered to help them settle into their new lives, today said work was progressing behind the scenes to ensure families could integrate with the community as quickly as possible.

Jools Payne, who has applied to be a volunteer advocate for the Oswestry Welcomes Refugees group, attended a training day this week.

She said accommodation was being privately sourced and Refugee Action was working closely with private landlords to provide safe and secure housing in an appropriate area of Oswestry. Similar work is happening in Shrewsbury and Telford.

"Money is being provided by the International Development Fund, which is given by Britain to help refugees both in the camps and those coming to the UK," she said.

"That money will be there for 12 months to help the refugees settle in their new homes.

"There will be key workers to help the refugees access appointments as soon as possible with job centres, schools, health services and other agencies. Volunteer advocates will also be appointed to support the Refugee Action team.

"The community will hopefully, help the refugees integrate and build social bonds quickly. We want to ensure they get a good start to their new life here in Oswestry."

Mrs Payne said that refugees would be given special status which would enable them to apply for jobs immediately.

"Many will be skilled and will want to work," she said.

"Their anticipated arrival time is now sometime in the summer. They will fly into the UK to be met by Refugee Action and brought to their new homes in Oswestry."

In Telford, the first families are expected to arrive within weeks.