Businesses are being invited to support a gala dinner in Bristol to showcase the positive impact of refugees and migrants on the city and the wider UK – with a keynote speech by Olympic gold medallist Sir Mo Farah.
‘The Welcome Party’ will celebrate individual success stories of refugees who have set up thriving businesses in Bristol while also reinforcing the message that refugees and migrants are invaluable contributors to the city’s social and economic fabric. 
Hosted by ACH, the Bristol-based organisation building a better future for refugees and migrants by providing tailored integration services, the event 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.
But it will serve as more than just a celebration – it will be a platform to advocate for change.
The Welcome Party will be an evening of dinner, drinks and entertainment. The drinks reception will feature artisan non-alcoholic rose cordial created by a group of refugee women alongside traditional cocktails, and dinner will feature a taster menu of meals created by ACH refugee and migrant catering businesses, including homemade cuisine from Sudan, Egypt and Sri Lanka. 
The evening’s entertainment will include keynote speeches from inspirational refugee success stories and music and poetry from across the world.
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, will be interviewed on stage 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.
ACH CEO Fuad Mahamed said: “The Welcome Party is an opportunity for us to build our partnerships with key stakeholders.
“We expect the event to sell out and be a huge success, which will then provide the basis for a larger-scale event and more fundraising in the following year. 
“By coming together, we aim to challenge and transform the systems that often hinder opportunities for those seeking refuge in our country.
“We believe in the power of diversity and inclusion to enrich our workplaces and communities.
“We can’t wait to welcome attendees to join us in supporting refugees and migrants, and helping us to build a better, brighter future across the city and beyond.”
The Welcome Party, which will take place on 7 November at The Mount Without on St Michael’s Hill, will also celebrate the contribution to Bristol of refugees such as Ali Mohamad Mohamad Al Hlayel, originally a farmer from Syria, Khano Sadiq Amahmad, who has turned his Afghan Tasty Corner in Easton into a vibrant community hub, and Ukrainian refugee Christina, who has transformed her love for glasswork into a thriving business.
Ali, Khano and Christina will be profiled in Bristol Business News next week as part of our ongoing support for The Welcome Party.
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.
