Aref is a Kurd from Afrin, Syria, he came to the UK seeking safety and the chance to rebuild a life marked by years of conflict, multiple displacement with his family, persecution, discrimination and instability. Aref arrived in the UK hoping for dignity, stability, and the opportunity to contribute. But shortly after his arrival, the UK government announced a pause on asylum decisions for Syrians. “I had only just arrived, trying to understand the system and find my footing,” he explains. “Then suddenly everything stopped, my life, my plans, all frozen.” Since that announcement in December 2024, he has lived in a constant state of limbo. “It’s been mentally exhausting,” he says. “You can’t work, can’t study properly, can’t make plans. You’re just stuck, waiting, with no control over your future.” The uncertainty has taken a toll. “This pause means I can’t move forward with my life. I want to study, work, and contribute, but I’m not allowed. Instead, I live with anxiety every day.” Ending the pause would be life-changing. “If the government resumed decisions, I could finally start living, not just surviving. I could rebuild, focus on my goals, and give something back.” The possibility of being forced to return to Syria. “It’s not safe. The country is fractured. HTS, a group known for Islamist extremism, controls the central government and imposes harsh and radical rules. But many areas are outside even their control. There are warlords, armed militias, and regions with no real governance at all. He continues: The danger is real. Sectarian, ethnic, political, and religious differences can still cost people their lives. Kidnappings, detentions, and assassinations are common. The same old regime henchmen are still active, and many current officials are under global sanctions. Israeli airstrikes regularly hit targets inside Syria. It’s chaos, there is no safety, no justice, and no protection.” When asked that conservatives suggested most Syrian asylum claims were related to the threat posed by Assad’s government and those people could return when it was safe to do so? “It’s a dangerous oversimplification. The threat was never only Assad. 14 years of war destroyed the country’s structure. It’s the entire ecosystem of chaos that still exists. The country is fractured, sectarian and ethnic hostility have become more prominent, with lawless areas controlled by different armed groups. The danger is still there, just with more faces and more flags. Syria isn’t safe to return to. Not for me.”
I’m Hadis, a Persian woman, who came to the UK around 4 years ago. I worked as a physiotherapist back home and hadn’t any experience working at a cafe before immigrating to the UK. My first experience working in a cafe started with Plateful Cafe, where I learned to work as a chef, barista, cashier and waitress; learning salesmanship and customer service skills. I learned how to prepare and cook several Syrian appetizers, main courses and desserts. Working there was a great opportunity to connect with international people, improve my English language and increase my confidence in the work environment of a new country. I was sad to be away from my family and homeland, but by being able to hold Iranian events here, I was able to show parts of my country’s culture, art, history and cuisine. Helping with my homesickness, these events had a positive effect on changing my mood. With the experience and resume I gained there, I was able to apply for jobs at other cafes and get accepted. Finally, I would like to thank Iolanda for all her efforts and kindness in supporting us women to enter the workforce and earning money to have a better life. I hope she is always successful on her path and receives more support.
This Easter Sunday, we had the absolute pleasure of setting up a Plateful Café stall at SET Social in Peckham, and what a lovely day it was. The atmosphere was relaxed, and we were surrounded by great people, great stalls and served plenty of delicious food. We dished up a special menu comprising of wraps and side dishes made by our amazing chef, Nahed, who truly delivered and cooked most of the hot food fresh to order on the day. The feedback on the food was incredible, and it’s always a joy to see people enjoying the meals our chefs work so hard to prepare. All the food we make helps refugees earn a London Living Wage while building skills and confidence that support their integration into the local community. One of the best parts of the day was seeing people pause to chat with Nahed, asking about the dishes and thanking her for her food. Moments like this, where food becomes a bridge between cultures and people, mean we are fulfilling our mission! It meant so much to see our chef not just cooking, but connecting. We also had some delicious bites for sale, prepared by Saleh, one of the talented chefs we’re lucky to work with at Plateful Café. Originally from Yemen, Saleh is currently seeking asylum in the UK after fleeing oppression and threats to his safety. His story is powerful, and what stands out most is his passion for food. Cooking has been a lifelong love for him; something that began in his childhood kitchen in Yemen and grew into a career as a chef. His crispy slightly spicy potato bites were a popular hit with everyone thoroughly enjoying them. He dreams of studying culinary arts here in the UK, opening his own restaurant, and one day publishing a cookbook that blends Yemeni flavours with international cuisine. It was a pleasure to try some of his creations! Alongside all that, we brought some of our Plateful products to sell too, including our range of popular jams, teas, truffles and artwork, all made in-house with love by our chefs and volunteers. Every purchase is helping us continue supporting refugees through meaningful training, work, and creative expression – so thank you! If you were there, thank you for stopping by and making it special. And if you missed us, don’t worry, we’ll be popping up again soon!
