Hola I’m Gareth, I’m the Housing Policy Lead here at the Welsh Refugee Council. 

During my time here, I have worked on many things, but I always return to housing. My role is to improve access to housing for sanctuary seekers, especially newly granted refugees during the short and stressful move on process. I work alongside sanctuary seekers to try and explain their housing rights and options in Wales. If any one of us were to move to a new country, we would struggle to know how housing works, even if we knew the language or had a job.

I also work with a variety of stakeholders to change the rules and legislation, which will help sanctuary seekers and other low-income groups into housing.

In this role, I attend many meetings, try to create consensus, respond to consultations, conduct research, and speak at events.

I have always deeply cared about refugees. I had the privilege to attend the Breaking Barriers conference in Budapest in 2016 which set me on the path to dedicate my work towards social justice. Prior to WRC, I worked as a Researcher for Cymorth Cymru, where I wrote pieces on the need to increase the Housing Support Grant and the struggles experienced by frontline workers.

Outside of work, I enjoy using my Cineworld membership card, playing 5-a-side in the cold and rain, and following my hometown football team, CD Leganés.