Syrian refugees are said to be doing well after finding new homes in Ceredigion.

In February, two local community groups, Aberystwyth-based refugee support charity Aberaid and Croeso Teifi, based in Cardigan, welcomed two new Syrian refugee families to join the thriving Syrian refugee community in Ceredigion.

The two groups are currently working in their towns to welcome and integrate families fleeing war in Syria.

Both families are settling in well and being supported by the community groups, and the Syrian community is rallying around them to help them integrate and feel at home.

Five of the Cardigan charity met their second family at the airport last month. The only English they knew was ‘Thank you’.

Now a month later, the five and three-year-old are saying their first sentences in Welsh and English at school. Dad is volunteering in a high street barber most days and both parents are learning English from volunteer teachers four mornings a week

The first family in Cardigan also arrived with no English a year ago and, although they speak haltingly, mum is now a translator for the second family.

Dad has completed a plastering bricklaying course in Coleg Ceredigion and is starting full time work experience in this field.

He and his son are both members of football teams with matches most Saturdays. They speak in glowing terms about the warmth and beauty of Cardigan and how fortunate they are to be here.

Lindsey Gaunt, chair of Aberaid, said “Aberaid would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who is working so hard to support them – all of the individual volunteers who have been brought together by Aberaid to act as a support network to help them adapt to life in the UK.

“Community sponsorship has been an amazing achievement for our little group, as we have now successfully resettled 10 individuals who otherwise would still be struggling with very difficult circumstances in the Middle East.”

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now