HOUNSLOW Council is supporting this year's theme for Refugee Week – 'We Cannot Walk Alone'.

The Council has been helping 10 families who have fled their countries, by helping them re-settle in Hounslow Borough and make it their new home.

The Council has partnered with Refugees Welcome Hounslow and this partnership has allowed the refugees to build interpersonal relationships with communities, apply to universities and for jobs, and even learn how to drive.

One of these is Mahmoud, a 35-year-old Syrian refugee who fled his war-torn country and is now living in Brentford with his family.

He said: "I used to be a carpenter back in Syria and I even owned my own shop, which helped me to provide for my wife and two children.

"Now I am working at a local restaurant, but eventually I would like to find work doing what I like doing best – carpentry."

Cllr Katherine Dunne, Cabinet Member for Communities and Climate Emergency, said: "We are proud to support the re-settlement scheme and to welcome all the families, helping them to re-build their lives.

"People from all around the world have made Hounslow their home.

"They play a huge part in making it a strong, diverse and thriving community.

"Refugee Week provides us with an opportunity to raise awareness about the lives of refugees, their resilience and their contributions to society.

"In keeping with this year's theme for Refugee Week, I would urge you to extend your hand to someone new; someone who is outside of your current circle, who has had an experience you haven't, or is fighting for a cause you aren't yet involved in.

"Together we are stronger."