WILTSHIRE is one of nine pilot areas where people can offer support to refugee families via the click of a button.

The Help Refugees in the UK webpage has been launched by the Home Office this week to allow people to provide support to refugees living in the area.

It allows residents to log their interest in helping and detail the support they can provide.

In December 2015, 27 refugees came to Wiltshire and 14 more people have settled here this June. Six more are joining later this summer.

In the Wiltshire Council area, people wishing to help can offer in a number of areas including community, group and cultural activities, housing, electrical goods and toys, vacant housing, full or part time jobs or fostering and independent visiting.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook, OBE, and leader of Wiltshire Council, said the council was “proud” to be a pilot for the programme.

“We are very grateful to the many volunteers who have ensured our families and individuals have been made to feel welcome and settle into their new homes,” she said.

“This programme will ensure even more people who feel they can help can in some way volunteer.”

Wiltshire already has an army of volunteers who have helped the refugee families and individuals who have now settled in the county.

They have been part of a strong multi-agency approach to ensure the refugees have all they need to settle quickly into their new homes and communities.

Speaking about the new scheme the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, said: “The response of the British public to the refugee crisis has been one of overwhelming generosity and many have been moved to make kind offers of assistance.

“This is a ground-breaking new development for resettlement in the UK and I wholeheartedly encourage organisations that can help to offer their support.

“I hope that this new approach will help bring communities together and support these often traumatised and vulnerable families as they rebuild their lives, and contribute to and thrive in our country.

“I’m delighted that Wiltshire has signed up to the Help Refugees service and I’m confident it will lead to many generous offers of support from the public.”

People willing to help should visit help-refugees-uk.service.gov.uk to register the services they can offer.

Wiltshire Council will then wherever possible match these offers to those who can benefit.