A REFUGEE support group is holding a Ways With Words-style free event – with a local guest who was once a refugee – on Friday, November 20, at Ashburton Town Hall.

The Ashburton Refugees Welcome group has been set up to help raise awareness of the issue across Europe.

It aims to provide practical, appropriate community support for refugees who live, or may come to live in the town and its surrounding area in the future.

Ashburton Town Council adopted a ‘letter of intent’ in support of the group’s aims.

The Ways With Words- style event will include sharing Middle Eastern food, and conversation between former refugee Saif Ali and BBC Radio Devon’s Sophie Pierce.

Other speakers will also be confirmed.

Mr Ali was a refugee for 18 years – more than half his life – and is the founder of Embracing Refugees, an organisation which aims to support and help refugees overcome isolation.

Yaara Lahav, one of the Ashburton event organisers, said: ‘The evening is to be about raising awareness in a fun, friendly and welcoming way.

‘Although in Devon we’re pretty far away from the immediate refugee crisis, we feel we want to help if we can.

‘We wanted to organise a social event for all local people, and felt it was important that it was free, to allow everyone to attend.’

Ms Lahav met a group of refugees from Plymouth, after attending an event near Totnes, and hopes to welcome them to the event too.

‘There are already many refugees in Devon, and many of them are incredibly isolated,’ she added.

‘If we can offer them friendship then that would be marvellous.’

Food and soft drinks will be available and people are welcome to take their own wine.

There is no charge for the event although donations are welcome to cover costs.

Any further proceeds will be donated to Syrian refugee supporting charities.