A REFUGEE support group is appealing for help in securing a home in Settle for a family from Syria.

The Settle community sponsorship group is preparing to welcome a family from the war torn country in the late spring or early summer of next year.

But, before members can tell the Home Office they are ready for a family, they have to have accommodation lined up.

Project leader, Paul Kelly, said rent would be paid, and ideally, they were looking for a family house, with three or more bedrooms for two years.

"This will give time for the new family to become settled into local life and be independent," he said.

Marian McNichol, leading a small working group looking for a suitable home, said the group was aware that affordable housing in the area was in short supply, and they did not want to make it worse.

They were looking at all options and had a small team ready and waiting to carry out any necessary repairs.

"There might be a holiday home owner who could help us by renting to our refugee family for two years," she said, adding that they would also consider a property that was currently empty.

"We know that many of the long-term empty homes in Britain have been inherited by people who need more time before deciding to sell, we are hoping to reach these home owners to see if they would let us rent a property," she said.

"We have a team of volunteers who could spruce a house up if it needs a bit of cosmetic work first. We also know that sometimes a person moves into care but doesn’t want or need to sell their home immediately. We would consider all reasonable property. We are a very committed bunch of people and we have had a lot of support already from people in Settle, we just need one home owner to come forward with an offer of help."

Apart from housing there are many other volunteering opportunities with the Refugee ReSETTLEment group, including help with transport, accompaniment to appointments, socialising in English, and help to find work. But, the most important task is to offer a welcome and a safe place to rebuild shattered lives.

Members of the group will be at Settle Market Place on Saturday, December 1 for the switching on of the Christmas lights, when anyone interested will be welcome to find out more. The group can also be contacted by email at settle.refugee@gmail.com or via its Facebook page at Refugee ReSETTLEment Group.