In the post-Brexit climate of rising anti-immigrant feeling, the Friends and Neighbours (FAN) charity brings people from all cultures together. Members meet in small community groups and access is open to all.
Originally conceived as a way to bring incomers into contact with locals, the groups soon became havens for anyone wanting social contact. FAN’s founder says, “I was surprised by how many British people need it”.
While working as a tutor of English as Second Language in Grangetown, she urged her students to go out and interact with native speakers. Their response took her by surprise. “A very shy young woman raised her hand and asked, ‘How do we meet British people?’” she remembers. So she set up FAN to encourage locals to help learners practice their speaking skills.
One of these early members was Zahra Afshar, who came to the UK from Iran 14 years ago. She discovered FAN about 10 years ago and soon saw the charity’s potential for bringing people together. She now works for FAN as a volunteer.
As the FAN network developed, groups’ compositions changed to meet the needs of their communities. Some still have a lot of overseas students who come mainly for the English practice or to meet local people. Others consist primarily of British people who welcome the chance for social interaction.
Since the June referendum, Zahra has noticed a chillier attitude towards foreigners in general. “Before that, I was more comfortable with people,” she says. But she still finds that FAN members remain committed to the charity’s core value of acceptance for all.
FAN’s founder agrees that its groups are still welcoming, but worries that increasing anti-immigrant feeling may stop potential new members from venturing out. However, she remains optimistic about society in general. “My hope and my belief is that it’s not most people,” she says.