A GROUP of volunteers is set to carry out conservation work in Flintshire.

Members of the Action Asylum group will arrive at Coed Gwern-rhiw in Mold on Tuesday, January 24 to undertake some key work which will see the removal of invasive species, Rhododendron, whilst also working closely with asylum seekers. 

Action Asylum is a group that seeks to connect asylum seekers with local communities through initiating activities and volunteering. 

Action Asylum's Liverpool branch will make the journey across the border to kickstart a day of collaboration and conservation. 

Project Lead at Action Asylum Liverpool, Rory Goldring said: "Our mission I suppose, is to connect people in the asylum process with local community members and to get everyone doing activities and volunteering together.

"Hopefully to have some benefit for the community and all those involved. It comes with the recognition that many asylum seekers are placed in unfamiliar places and often feel quite isolated themselves and it also comes from the recognition that there is a lot of prejudice towards aslyum seekers, refugees and migrants more broadly."

"We're trying to tackle both of those issues, so this project has been formed to really try to have a wider impact on the community through nature conservation or other projects with social benefit."

Speaking ahead of the Mold event at Coed Gwern-rhiw, Rory added: "There's probably going to be about 40 to 50 people there, and we are doing some nature conservation work, in this case, clearing Rhododendron, which is an invasive species, so clearing that will benefit the woodland and allow more native species to flourish.

"It's a good opportunity for the local habitat but also for the people involved to meet new people and do something in nature and see another part of the country."

"Our group from Action Asylum and other local volunteers will be turning up on the day.

"We're also having a barbecue lunch which the land owner is laying on for us, and then we'll do a little more work in the afternoon, then the plan is to go up to a scenic viewpoint so everyone can get a good panoramic view of the Welsh hills."

READ MORE 

Flintshire City of Sanctuary (FCOS) was formed in 2018 and is a member group in the City of Sanctuary UK network.

The group work to promote a shared vision of making Flintshire a place of welcome and safety for all people seeking sanctuary, and have supported adults and children from Syria, Afghanistan, and the Ukraine, as they have arrived traumatised from their experiences, to start their recovery and begin a new life.

Chair of Flintshire City of Sanctuary, Teresa Carberry said: "Wales has a history of extending a welcome to peoples seeking a place of safety and a better life; those driven from their homes by war, persecution, and more recently the consequences of climate change.

"In December 2022, FCOS held a consultation and planning meeting with participants from national and local agencies and organisations, representatives from the resettled Syrian and Afghan communities, and Flintshire residents.

"All recognised partnership working will be critical in 2023, such as the one we are forming with Action Asylum, who work in turn work in collaboration with North Wales Wildlife Trust.

"This partnership has resulted in a tree planting event, along the River Alyn, and more recently the removal of invasive rhododendron in an ancient woodland near Mold. Both projects, undertaken voluntarily by Asylum Seekers, have enhanced our local environment.

"Our collective and collaborative efforts, work, knowledge, and the sharing by those with lived experiences, place us in a unique position to transform the experience of those seeking refuge and asylum, and provides opportunities to shift the narrative, policies, and culture of welcome in the UK and dispel many commonly held misconceptions, surrounding this often-polarising issue."

Anyone wishing to get involved or find out more about the project or the work Action Asylum do, they can visit the website or contact Rory directly at rory@asylumlink.org.uk.