00:00 Well today we've brought everyone together from the sector, volunteers, people that are
00:07 paid and people that use our services to talk about the incredible contribution that hosting
00:11 makes for people facing destitution. So people that are facing destitution, that can't access
00:17 funding, can't work, are really limited in their resources and their ability to find
00:22 anywhere to live. And so we've got amazing people across Wales who open up their homes
00:27 and offer a spare bedroom to people facing destitution while they challenge their immigration
00:31 status.
00:32 The Welsh Government's plans to become a nation of sanctuary have been well met with organisations
00:37 involved in helping refugees and asylum seekers. But they hope that there will be plenty more
00:42 investment and effort from politicians if they are to make the goal a reality.
00:46 We know that there are loads of people out there that have got a really warm heart and
00:50 recognise what more they can do to help us be a nation of sanctuary and to support people
00:56 looking to live in Wales. So we're hoping to share the importance of hosting and to
01:03 make more people aware of what it involves and hopefully to recruit some new hosts but
01:07 also to put some pressure on Welsh Government and other funders to continue supporting this
01:11 area because it's a really challenging time at the moment.
01:16 I can say well actually with the sixth wealthiest economy in the world we can afford to support
01:21 people seeking sanctuary, our own people who are in poverty, people who are facing destitution
01:27 of all kinds. It's not about either or, it's about creating a society where people have
01:34 shelter, where they're welcome, where they're warm, where they're safe and where they can
01:38 thrive. Not about dividing people into groups and saying well we'll help these and not these
01:42 people because that's not shared humanity.
01:45 The event here today was an opportunity not just to bring people in the field together
01:49 to discuss ideas and help grow connections but also to try and get more people to sign
01:54 up to be hosts for refugees. We saw a massive influx after the outbreak of the Russian war
01:58 in Ukraine but there are thousands of people seeking refuge from war and persecution all
02:03 across the world, not just Ukraine, and those people are seeking a home.
02:07 So we need to continue to increase the amount of hosts that we've got across Wales. We know
02:11 that more people are having their immigration status approved, recognising that they fled
02:17 to the UK from persecution or war, so we need to help them find accommodation and communities
02:22 to settle into. So we are today asking for more people, if they've got a spare room,
02:27 to consider working with us. We support people throughout the process and to help them become
02:33 hosts. We've heard this morning from hosts directly how incredibly rewarding it is being
02:37 a host and the benefit that the experience brings to individuals and their families.
02:42 So we're just hoping to shine a light on that, the amazing work that people have done, and
02:47 hope that we can continue to do more of this in the future.
02:50 People who came here today will hope that more people will sign up to become a host
02:55 and eventually, one house, one family, one step at a time, Wales will become a true nation
03:00 of sanctuary. J.P. Watkins, reporting from Cardiff Bay.
03:03 bank.
03:03 [BLANK_AUDIO]
