London, UK, November 5, 2025 — Community Sponsorship Groups welcoming refugee families across the United Kingdom will benefit from a new comprehensive training programme launched by the International Rescue Committee UK (IRC UK).
The initiative, funded by the Home Office and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), will equip local volunteers, faith groups, civil society organisations and charities with the expertise and confidence they need to support refugee families as they rebuild their lives in safety.
Empowering Communities, Transforming Lives
Community Sponsorship Groups play a vital role in the UK's refugee resettlement programme, which identifies individuals most in need of protection and provides them with a safe route to the UK.
Community sponsors are matched with refugees pre-arrival and directly support refugee families from the moment they arrive through to self-sufficiency. These dedicated volunteers and local groups provide everything from airport pickups and home setup to longer-term integration support with employment, education, and community connection.
Working alongside principal sponsors including the Refugee Council, Pickwell Foundation, and Gulab Sorkh, community sponsors are welcoming families and creating lasting bonds that strengthen local communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
IRC UK will deliver training designed specifically to support community sponsors in their rewarding but significant responsibilities. It is mandatory for all Community Sponsorship Groups to complete the training before welcoming a family.
The comprehensive training covers:
- Immediate practical support including airport pickups and helping families settle into new homes
- Longer-term integration assistance including financial wellbeing, employment support, safeguarding training and trauma informed care
- Supporting children's education through IRC's acclaimed Healing Classroom & Healing Spaces approach
There will also be opportunities to learn from and network with peers and experts in the field to share experiences and best practices. All the resources in the programme are informed by and developed alongside IRC’s Community Advisory Board and Experts by Experience.
IRC brings significant expertise to this initiative: IRC UK has provided resettlement and integration support to over 2,600 individuals from 68 countries, including 874 from Afghanistan, whilst IRC globally has decades of experience working in other resettlement contexts, such as across Europe and the United States, and within many of the countries of origin of those arriving. IRC UK has also trained 3,000 teachers, charity workers, government staff, and 103 community volunteers across the UK on supporting refugee populations.
Genevieve Caston, Director of Resettlement, Asylum and Integration, IRC UK, said:
“Community sponsorship is a vital safe resettlement route for the most vulnerable refugees to come to the UK. Community Sponsorship Groups are at the heart of successful refugee resettlement in the UK. They open their communities, share their time and expertise, and create genuine connections that benefit everyone involved.
This new training programme will ensure that community sponsors are fully prepared for this rewarding role, providing them with practical tools and ongoing guidance to offer life-changing support to refugee families with confidence.
Every refugee family deserves a warm welcome and the chance to rebuild their lives in safety. Through this programme, we're not just training volunteers - we're building a movement of compassion that will strengthen communities across the UK, while providing vital support to families who have fled conflict and persecution.”
Interested in Becoming a Community Sponsor?
If you would like to support refugees in your local community, visit the Gov.UK website for more information:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-full-community-sponsorship/community-sponsorship-guidance-for-prospective-sponsors