Uplyme could soon be welcoming a family from Syria.

Uplyme Community Sponsorship (UCS), the charity devoted to resettling a family from Syria to Uplyme, will hold a public meeting at Uplyme Village Hall to update the community on the group’s progress and what will happen next.

The meeting will take place on Friday, February 28 from 6pm to 8pm.

UCS has already raised more than £11,000, identified a suitable private house for the family to rent in Uplyme and submitted their application to the Home Office following approval by Dorset Council and East Devon District Council. In a few months, Uplyme will be welcoming a family from Syria.

UCS needs more volunteers to help with practical tasks, both before and after the arrival of the family, for example, getting the house ready, accompanying family members to the shops, familiarising them with the area, helping with English conversation or providing transport. Donations to furnish and equip the house will also be welcomed.

UCS stresses that it is not here to just look after the family, but to enable and empower them to manage independently so the degree of support needed will gradually ease off.

Those who can’t get to the meeting but would like to be involved or want more information should email uplymecommunitysponsorship@gmail.com