Catherine Griffiths

Catherine first became interested in refugee support work in 2015 when she joined a team from North Wales, taking aid out to the Jungle in Calais. This was closely followed by her volunteering in refugee camps on Leros and near the Macedonian border. She then became the first resettlement case worker for Anglesey, resettling the first three families.

In 2018, she formed Croeso Menai, the first community sponsorship group in North Wales and over the last 6 years the group has welcomed two families, who have settled and integrated very well.

In April 2022, in response to the Ukrainian war, Catherine set up Dyma Ni, a popular community hub in Bangor to support Ukrainians. This was followed in March 2023 with Dyma Ni Befriending for asylum seekers, who were being moved to North West Wales for the first time.

Catherine joined the CSA steering group to promote and improve community sponsorship, having seen first-hand what a positive impact it has, not only for resettled families but also for the community around them. She is hopeful that the experiences learned from the Ukrainian hosting scheme will be encompassed in a new and improved community sponsorship programme suitable for all refugees.