2nd Monday of the month Dinner gathering – Speaker: Lesley Sheldon-Browning from SWVG will talk about real issues faced by Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Speaker: Lesley Sheldon-Browning from SWVG (Southampton & Winchester Visitors Group) will talk about the real issues faced by Refugees and Asylum Seekers from their point of view. Presentation title: ‘Lives in Limbo: A journey through the asylum system’. She will be accompanied by Kennedy Robert Inyhole, who is an asylum seeker from Uganda.

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Lesley is a Trustee of SWVG and leader of the St Peter’s Sanctuary Welcome Hub, where she has been working with people seeking sanctuary for 11 years, including people from Ukraine arriving in Winchester seeking safety and sanctuary. The hub now welcomes people from every part of the world and is a busy thriving place where people find welcome, signposting, advice, activities and English lessons. She is also part of the campaigning and training teams for SWVG and works with local schools in the lead up to Refugee Week each year, which is one of the most rewarding parts of the work. Prior to taking “early retirement”, she had a long and active career within the NHS, which included General Nursing, Children’s Nursing, teaching and finally, responsibility for commissioning the education and training for the non-medical workforce across Hampshire and the IOW. She is also a keen walker and flautist.

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Kennedy is a 40-year-old father, now proud to call Winchester his home. He came to the UK seeking sanctuary and was honoured to receive a Sanctuary Scholarship at the University of Winchester, where he is studying law. As a former politician and human rights advocate, he remains passionate about justice, dignity, and bringing people together. He is deeply grateful to the Winchester community and to everyone whose kindness has given him hope and the opportunity to build a new future.

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Bookings: Registration opens approximately 5 weeks before the event.

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Timings:

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