New cafe and gallery to open to support refugees

A new cafe and art gallery is opening in Taunton to provide support to refugees and asylum seekers.

The Without Borders cafe is being launched by CHARIS, a charity founded in 2016 that provides resettlement and integration support to displaced individuals.

The venue aims to bring together people from different backgrounds, offering food from refugee and asylum seeker communities while also providing opportunities to gain work experience.

CHARIS hopes the space will serve as a bridge between refugees and the local community, fostering inclusivity and connection.

Dave Mann, Communications and External Affairs Director at CHARIS Refugees, said they were inspired to open the venue after seeing a rise in demand from people they work with as well as the local community.

"We realised how difficult it is, particularly for asylum seekers, who have come over here seeking sanctuary from war and left everything behind," Mr Mann said.

"They may be very highly qualified in their own work, but can't transfer those easily to jobs here.

"We wanted to create a social enterprise that would give people opportunities to get on to the first rung of the employment ladder and help them get something very positive," he added.

CHARIS also provides support to refugees and asylum seekers through its welcome centre in Taunton which includes English classes, drop-in services, interpretation, benefits support, mental health advice and social activities.

In past year the charity has worked with more than 1,300 displaced people - including 350 asylum seekers.

The cafe is expected to open in June.

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