My name is Laura Schubert and in March 2024 I began working as the new Refugee Support Worker employed by Horsforth Chaplaincy Project and I hope to continue the brilliant work Rose McCarthy has been doing in this role over the last 2 years.
I have lived in Leeds for nearly 7 years and love this city for its cultural vibrancy and all the friendly and welcoming people. I am part of Mosaic Church and you’ll often see me on my bike.
I got involved in volunteering to support refugees 5 years ago through a Refugee Council project which Rose was leading. I am often inspired by the generosity and hope of people seeking sanctuary. But I was also outraged at the barriers they faced to accessing healthcare, finding work, navigating the immigration system and rebuilding their lives in the UK. I believe each person is made in God’s image and therefore has dignity, and we should care for people as Jesus cared for people.
I have volunteered alongside people who are refugees or seeking asylum themselves, making friends along the way. I love seeing how brilliantly they can represent their peers by sharing and using their lived experience of seeking sanctuary. As God has given all people of all cultures unique strengths and gifts to share with others, we are better for it when we learn from one another. I have also worked for Migration Yorkshire, supporting projects across the region to help integration in our communities.
In Horsforth we are a very welcoming community. Last year we set up the Horsforth Town of Sanctuary Group, where individuals from Horsforth and also those new to Horsforth and from a refugee background are working together to welcome and include people seeking asylum and refugees.
My work specifically involves coordinating a group of brilliant volunteers. These volunteers run a conversation group at a local hotel where 180 men who are seeking asylum are living. It is great fun! We talk about all sorts of topics and give out clothes, SIM cards and bus tickets to help these people find their feet in Leeds and the UK. Since last year we have also been organising monthly Sanctuary Socials at St Margaret’s Church for members of the community including people seeking asylum and refugees who live locally.
Our hope is that together we will welcome people and be a place that actively includes people seeking sanctuary, so that we can all grow in hope and in blessing one another. If you are interested in helping this happen as part of Horsforth Town of Sanctuary or would like to volunteer, please get in touch via laura@horsforthchaplaincy.org or 07384715444.