We are a network of groups that have sprung up around Craven to support refugees and asylum seekers. We operate in different ways but we share the conviction that this country can and should play its part in helping those that have fled their own countries, usually from fear of their lives, and are seeking sanctuary elsewhere.
The Skipton group was founded by the late John Launder who was touched by pictures of refugees fleeing the violence in Syria in 2015. That year, more than 60 people from around the whole district, packed into Skipton Quaker Meeting House for the first meeting of what became known as the Skipton Refugee Support group.
Now a Craven Refugee Support Network has evolved which has no formal constitution or elected committee but which operates as an information hub encompassing the Craven District. Members of the active groups plus a considerable number of individuals are kept in touch with activities though the use of a regular newsletter. There is also an active Facebook page.
During lockdowns in 2021 a number of Zoom sessions on a variety of relevant themes were held under the auspices of the Network . They proved to be very popular and more are planned.
The various organisations within the Network have different approaches and priorities, but in general we aim to:
- develop friendships and support to refugees living in or visiting the area,
- provide practical and financial support to refugee organisations elsewhere in Yorkshire & Lancashire
- raise money and awareness about refugee issues
- campaign for a more compassionate approach towards refugees.
Groups involved in the Network are:
- Bentham Area Refugee Support Group Members organise day visits from Lancaster and Bradford and have run hosting weekends. Members collect donations and organise fund-raising events
- Malhamdale runs annual hosting weekend for asylum seeking women and children with the City of Sanctuary Maternity Stream in Leeds
- Settle Area Refugee Support Members arrange public events, collect donations especially of IT and bicycles, and organise fund-raising. The group actively supports Pendle New Neighbours, a group in Nelson working with asylum seekers and arrange visits from them to the Settle & Yorkshire Dales area.
- Skipton Refugee Support Group is currently supporting two Afghan families living in the town. They run events and collections of donations..
- Upper Wharfedale Refugee Support Group co-ordinates day visits, fact sheets, collections of goods and fund-raising events. They have been closely involved with helping recent arrivals from Ukraine
In 2022 Craven District Council agreed to work towards becoming a District of Sanctuary which now covers the geographical area of Craven.
Skipton/CRSN A little history … 2015 to now (2022)
John Launder, with my support, started Skipton Refugees. He mooted the idea at a small meeting of a ‘38 Degrees group’. He had the knowledge – I could add encouragement, some email addresses and Facebook.
60+ people came to the first meeting at the Quaker Meeting House. Some like Judy with a breadth of knowledge others like me with a willing spirit. They came not just from Skipton but from up and down the Dale.
We had thought we were starting a Skipton Refugee Group, but later the name was challenged and for a while Craven Refugee Support Group was adopted. This was the title used on the newsletters and FB too.
John’s illness and subsequent death interrupted the development of the group.
When John died, Judy and Charles took the initiative and Skipton Refugee Group was formally created. I guess a talk and AGM were arranged and all on the mailing list were invited.
The mailing list covered everyone who received the newsletter. I had created a Facebook group and a website and wrote the Newsletter and became part of the Committee.
The newsletter was basically Skipton’s Newsletter, but it was sent under the CRSG title to the email list that we held. When law required I became the list holder. People from the different areas were invited to contribute to the newsletter and also to attend the Skipton Meetings.
So as it can be seen the Skipton Group and the rest of the Network were conjoined.
Trying to define the difference for a leaflet, which Judy designed and also for the website, led to much discussion and a clear division was mooted, but did not have sufficient support.
I think this was when it was decided that there were small groups and that the larger group was a network – so the title CRSN came into being rather than the CRSG. The Facebook page history confirms that three names have been used..
This situation continued until the last Skipton meeting (in 2022), when the issue was discussed and the majority were in favour of members of the Network choosing to self identify as Skipton members if they wished, whether or not they belonged to other groups. This does change the balance, as it gives Skipton the same status as the other groups, an equal partner in the Network.
Charles, Judy and Phil have put a lot of groundwork into supporting the Network through insurance, development of the website, use of their bank account and also their personal wealth of information and contacts and probably more I have missed. It is appreciated by all. How the Network develops now is firstly a question for the groups, but also for all interested individual members within the Network.
We urge all Skipton based people to sign up as members and become engaged with what we hope post Covid can become a more active Skipton group again.
I think John Launder would be very happy to have witnessed the growth and work of the group he initiated nearly 7 years ago.
