Elmbridge CAN

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Elmbridge CAN

Elmbridge CAN is a community-based charity located in Surrey, UK. Our mission is to welcome and support refugees fleeing terror in their home countries.

The global migration crisis is an historic event that has seen the largest number of refugees since World War II. From Syria to Somalia and Libya to Afghanistan, people are suffering brutality, impoverishment and displacement because of war and political regimes. We believe that we all have the power and responsibility to make a difference to those whose lives have been affected. But we also recog

nise that this can't happen without a collaborative, cross-community effort. We aim to facilitate this within the Borough of Elmbridge - bringing together residents, businesses, community groups, charities and the local authority. We believe that Elmbridge CAN make a difference. OUR AIMS

1. Raising awareness - We help the residents of Elmbridge be aware of and sympathetic to the lives and needs of refugees.

2. Networking and partnerships - We facilitate collaboration, resource sharing and learning across local and national stakeholder groups to ensure the successful resettlement of refugees within Elmbridge.

3. Influencing - We engage in local and national advocacy and campaigning and support Elmbridge residents to influence our Government for the benefit of refugees.

4. Resources - We raise vital financial and material resources for refugee related charitable programmes.

03/06/2026

What could volunteering bring to your life?

It’s easy to think that it’s all about helping others. But many of our volunteers tell us they get just as much back in return.

Rosemary, one of our English language teachers, puts it perfectly: it’s “better than pills...” 😊

If you’d like to meet new people, make a real difference, and do something genuinely rewarding, we’d love to hear from you.

Join Elmbridge Can and help support people in our community while enriching your own life too.
Find out more at www.elmbridgecan.org.uk/volunteer or follow the link in our bio. 🙏

01/06/2026

In celebration of Volunteers’ Week 2026 🎉.

We are a small charity with a huge heart ❤️. As a community-based and volunteer-powered organisation, our 80-strong volunteer team comes from every walk of life, and is brimming with love, compassion and commitment.

A million thanks 🙏 to each and every one of you who helps us to achieve our goals - we just couldn’t do what we do without you!

Find out more about volunteering with us. Link in bio.

28/05/2026

🎉 10 Stories for 10 Years 🎉

To mark the 10th anniversary of Elmbridge CAN, we are sharing a series of stories about the volunteers, supporters, and people we have supported who have shaped our journey over the last decade.

Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing 10 stories of welcome, connection, and community.

We’re kicking things off with Judy’s story. As a dedicated Elmbridge CAN volunteer and now the newly appointed Mayor of Elmbridge, Judy has seen firsthand how our community has opened its heart to refugees and asylum seekers over the past ten years.

We are delighted that Judy has chosen Elmbridge CAN as one of the charities she will support as Mayor. We can think of no better way to start our anniversary year than with this wonderful partnership! 🧡

From working directly with families to helping set up and run our Weybridge hub, Judy’s journey perfectly captures the spirit of what we do.

👉 Read the full story on our website https://www.elmbridgecan.org.uk/mayor-judy-sarsby or via the link in our bio!

23/05/2026

Meet Amity Bear - the new Elmbridge CAN mascot! 🐻✨

Amity joins us for a very special year as we celebrate our 10th anniversary and our year as the Mayor’s chosen charity. They made their debut today with our new Mayor in the Walton May Fair parade, travelling along the river from Cowey Sale to Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre.

The bear's name was chosen by a little girl from a family we support, who won our 'name the bear' competition. Well done ZD!

The Fair is running until 4pm today, so if you’re local and free, come down and say hello! You can also visit our 10 year anniversary exhibition in the Robert Phillips Gallery, opening to the public today. 🎨🎉

21/05/2026

It’s all hands on deck! 🔨🖼️

This Saturday morning, the doors open to the public for our 10th Anniversary Art Exhibition: ‘10 Years of Rebuilding Lives Together.’

Staff and volunteers are busy behind the scenes getting ready for the unveiling of some incredibly powerful and moving art work, as well as beautiful hand-crafted jewellry and clothing. All created by the amazing people we support.

Swipe through to see the team in action, and make sure to plan your visit over the next week to see for yourselves!

📍 Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre, Walton-on-Thames
📅 Sat 23 May - Sun 31 May | 10am - 4pm
🎟️ Free entry

SurreyEvents CommunitySupport WaltonOnThames

19/05/2026

Huge thanks to and the Postcode Lottery UK for generously awarding us unrestricted funding to support our work across the borough.

This flexible funding makes all the difference - allowing us to respond quickly where support is needed most, adapt to changing needs, and remain sustainable so we know we can be here for the families who need and rely on us.

Thank you to Postcode Lottery players for helping communities like ours create meaningful local change. 💚

16/05/2026

Only 1 week to go! ⏱️

With our 10th Anniversary Art Exhibition just around the corner, we’re marking by highlighting the power of creativity to heal. 💚

This exhibition showcases the moving, beautiful artwork of individuals we support who have fled war and terror. For many, art has been a vital tool for mental well-being and processing trauma.

As one artist put it:
“Art appeared in my life unexpectedly, almost as a way to survive and to process everything I was going through.”

That is the heart of ‘10 Years of Rebuilding Lives Together’ - an exhibition celebrating resilience, survival and finding a new voice.

Come experience these powerful stories.

📍 Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre, Walton-on-Thames
📅 Sat 23 May - Sun 31 May | 10am - 4pm

RefugeeSupport SurreyEvents WaltonOnThames

14/05/2026

This week we're joining A Million Acts of Hope - celebrating the everyday acts of kindness, care and connection happening quietly in communities across the UK. 💛

At our twice-weekly drop-in hubs, hope often looks like small moments shared around a table: conversation, creativity, warmth and laughter.

This week we launched a new dedicated wellbeing zone, led by one of our wonderful Ukrainian volunteers. Every Tuesday, people can come together to relax, connect and create something unique by hand in a friendly and supportive space. ☕️🍰🎨

These spaces matter. For people rebuilding their lives after displacement, finding safety also means finding belonging, community and moments of joy. This week’s creations carried messages of hope and encouragement for people who have experienced war and persecution - reminders that brighter days lie ahead.

Hope doesn’t always make headlines. Sometimes it looks like sitting together, sharing experiences, and making something beautiful.

08/05/2026

As we celebrate 10 years of Elmbridge CAN, we are proud to feature the vibrant, intricate work of talented young artists and creators from our community.

This collection of traditional Afghan clothing and handmade jewellery is a masterclass in detail. Each piece, with its bright colours and unique regional embroidery, tells a living story of history, identity and heritage.

Join us in celebrating the diverse cultures that enrich our community.

10 Years of Rebuilding Lives Together
Art Exhibition
📍 Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre
📅 Sat 23 - Sun 31 May
🕙 10am - 4pm

Refugee Week Counterpoints Arts

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Esher

Website

http://www.elmbridgecan.org.uk/

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