Well dressing receives a Silver rosette
We were delighted to receive a Silver rosette for our dressing of the Wyche Spring well. We had some lovely comments from visitors and our thanks again to everyone involved. Special thanks to Gabriel Pfeiffer (Woodend Toymakers) and Darren Nailer (artist), both based at ‘Out to Grass’ (Woodend Farm, Bromyard Road), and also to Mariana Ulukaya (Art & Chat Club, Welcome Hub) for her creative inspiration, and for her artistry in...
Malvern Water and Well Dressing Festival 2-10 May 2026
Every year, communities in Malvern come together to dress up to 60 wells, springs and spouts from across the hills and town of Malvern. Over 800 people take part in this creative endeavour celebrating Malvern spring water. This year, the theme of the festival is ‘Birds’, and Malvern Welcomes has collaborated with the Welcome Hub to celebrate birds of the world representing the home countries of refugees who have resettled...
UK Government Earned Settlement Open Consultation
The UK Home Office has launched an open consultation on ‘how the current settlement scheme should be reformed and how those reforms should be implemented.’ There are details here. The Malvern Welcomes Management Team and Trustees have studied the proposals and completed and submitted the questionnaire. We all agreed that the consultation form was full of ambiguous questions making it impossible to select responses which reflected our...
Wellbeing – a series of blogs
1. Wellbeing in the workplace – Kate Gant, volunteer. The link between employment and wellbeing is well documented: work can provide an important way for people to find a sense of purpose, meaning and fulfilment in life as well as to achieve financial security. Employment can thus play a role in helping refugees to rebuild their lives in the UK and to integrate into their local communities. Over the past six years, volunteers...
A tribute to Rosemary Thorp – a remarkable and inspirational woman
We have all been greatly saddened to learn of the death of Rosemary Thorp at the age of 85. Many will remember her for her sense of humour and the keen interest she showed in everyone she met. Rosemary became involved with Malvern Welcomes two years after its inception. She quickly took a strong leadership role, starting by undertaking a thoughtful and thorough review of all our policies and procedures. With her formidable intellect,...
Proposed reforms to resettlement system for refugees
Proposed government reforms to the UK’s resettlement system for refugees ‘ACTION’ Responses and objections needed before 12 February 2026 The Home Office has launched a public consultation on proposed reforms to the UK’s settlement system, following the 2025 Immigration White Paper Restoring Control over the Immigration System. The consultation outlines plans to replace automatic settlement after a fixed period...