A group of people are heading up the effort to rehome any refugees of conflicts who come to the borough.

Refugees Welcome Haringey are a group who are trying to find landlords who will pledge to rehome some of the 20,000 Syrian refugees that the Government plans to allow into the country in the next few years.

The head of the group, Lucy Nabijou, says that they have already got a wide range of support from many people in Haringey.

She said: “We’ve had so many pledges from different people and organisations, even if it is just to befriend or support any refugees who need it. One woman has pledged a day of free reflexology treatment to refugees.

“We are also trying to pressure Haringey Council to put in place a policy where they would welcome at least 50 refugees – this has happened in other boroughs. We’ve been chasing up councillors and at the full council meeting in March we are hoping to make a deputation.”

Ms. Nabijou, who has worked with refugees before in Palestinian camps, said that the movement has been going on for months with a core group of “six or seven” volunteers, but that getting confirmed support has been slow progress.

She said: “We have been contacting letting agents to try and speak to landlords, but they are busy people and this is probably not at the top of their agenda.

“It has been hard getting in touch directly, so any media coverage is very helpful. It is difficult to gauge the reaction or the level of support from landlords, but we have had some breakthroughs.

“It is something of an uphill struggle. People make nice noises, but you need to take the leadership if you really want to be helpful.”

Before Christmas, Refugees Welcome Haringey had their first major success when a landlord in Crouch End pledged to rehome refugees who came to the borough.

For more information, contact refugeeswelcomeharingey@gmail.com