Later this year Bristol will host The Welcome Party, a gala dinner to showcase the positive impact of refugees and migrants on the city.
Ahead of the event on 7 November at The Mount Without on St Michael’s Hill, three refugees who have set up thriving businesses in Bristol have shared their stories. 
Ali Mohamad Mohamad Al Hlayel. Originally from Syria, Ali, pictured, has transformed his love for farming into a thriving business.
After fleeing the war in his home country, Ali longed to return to his agricultural roots. He spent two years volunteering on a plot of land to familiarise himself with UK climate and soil.
With the help of ACH, the Bristol social enterprise behind The Welcome Party that is building a better future for refugees and migrants by providing tailored integration services, he launched Rocketman in 2022.
Starting with rocket from Sims Hill Shared Harvest, Ali’s business has blossomed. He now grows a variety of vegetables, including radish, spinach, chard, beetroot, coriander and cabbage, all without pesticides or additives.
His dedication to organic farming has not only provided fresh produce to Bristol cooks but also fostered a sense of community and sustainability. 
Khano Sadiq Amahmad. Khano’s Afghan Tasty Corner in Easton is more than just a restaurant -it’s a community hub based on a radical ‘pay-what-you-can’ concept.
During the pandemic, Khano saw a need for affordable, nourishing food for working-class people. His restaurant serves traditional Afghan dishes, emphasising organic ingredients and communal eating.
Khano’s philosophy is simple yet profound: food brings people together, regardless of their financial status. This inclusive approach has made Afghan Tasty Corner a beloved spot in Bristol, where everyone is welcome to enjoy a meal without the burden of cost. 
Christina. Originally from Ukraine, Christina, pictured, has transformed her love for glasswork into a thriving business. After arriving in the UK in 2018, Christina worked in various jobs but longed to find work related to her trained vocation.
Despite running her own business and showcasing her art, Christina faced challenges identifying suitable channels for selling her work and building connections in a new country.
Inspired by fellow ACH client Svitlana Trygub, Christina decided to lead a workshop showcasing her glass artistry. Despite initial nerves, the experience was rewarding.
Encouraged by ACH, Christina ventured into new markets, including the Tobacco Factory and Bristol Old Vic’s market. She has built a network of business owners and engaged with galleries such as the Royal West of England Academy (RWA) and Centre Space Gallery.
Christina’s business Garmasiyglass captures her journey as an artist and entrepreneur. She creates stunning glass jewellery for markets, crafts artworks for exhibitions and conducts workshops in Bristol for children and adults to share her artistic knowledge and empower others through creativity.
The Welcome Party will give businesses a chance to hear, see and literally taste the positive impact refugees, people seeking asylum and vulnerable migrants have on the city.
Businesses are being invited to support, which will also feature with a keynote speech by Olympic gold medallist Sir Mo Farah, who was trafficked to the UK aged nine in the aftermath of the Isaaq massacre in his birthplace of Somaliland.
His story is an archetypal example of the successes possible for migrants in this country.
Proceeds from the event will enable ACH to not only continue to provide support to the refugees and migrants it currently works with, but also support Bristol City of Sanctuary, the charity advocating for a fair and humane asylum system.
Tickets, priced at £140 each, can be bought from https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ach/1255157
Businesses are being encouraged to buy a table to bring employers and guests together to develop their understanding and appreciation of what migrants and refugees bring to Bristol.
