DEMONSTRATING Swindon’s open arm welcome to those in need has seen a charity highlighted as one of the judges’ favourites for this year’s Pride of Swindon Awards.

The Harbour Project is among 10 groups and teams selected from numerous nominations by the Pride judges last week to make their shortlist of nominees. Representatives from the charity have now been invited to the awards ceremony at Steam next month where they will find out if they are one of the lucky winners.

Praising the charity and putting them forward for an award, their nominator said: “Established in the wake of the Kosovo conflict in 2000 as a small initiative to welcome refugees arriving in Swindon, the Harbour Project has grown into the most remarkable charitable organisation, without which many of our most vulnerable residents would not know where to turn.

“Staffed by a small team and supported by a group of passionate and committed volunteers, the Harbour Project provides a drop-in centre for refugees and asylum seekers from countries right across the world who have made Swindon home.

“They provide advice, help with forms and administration, emergency assistance in cases where people are facing destitution, a refugee football team, English lessons and even cooking classes. But most crucially, for those who have fled the most unimaginable horror - whether that be the bloody conflict in Syria, persecution in Eritrea, or perhaps the ruthless people smuggling gangs in Libya – the Harbour Project offers a safe space and a sanctuary.

“It is an environment in which those who have experienced so much hardship can begin to re-build their confidence, to understand their new home and to start to overcome what they have been through on the journey to get here.

“The Harbour Project receives limited funding from Swindon Borough Council, they gratefully accept donations from the public, but they are woefully underfunded when you consider the extraordinary amount of work they are able to achieve and the positive impact they have.

“In 2016 they launched the Harbour Fest, the newest addition to Swindon’s cultural calendar. It was an effort to raise money, but in true Harbour Project style it brought together the passions and talents of an enthusiastic group to showcase music, entertainment, food and film from around the world.”

Annie Vickers of The Harbour Project said it was a “great honour” to have made the judge’s shortlist, and praised the work of the charity’s 60 regular volunteers.

She said: “It has come as an absolute surprise to us as well. It’s really quite nice when you receive recognition, which is – of course – uncalled for, but it is testament to the workers and in particular our volunteers.

“We always say this, but I can’t emphasise it enough, we simply could not do this if we didn’t have the volunteers wanting to do so many different things to help.

“Some of them help with the English classes which we run five days a week, most of which are volunteer-led, and we also have drop-in sessions which many of our volunteers are involved with. These sessions can help people with everything from getting into work, their children into schools, or registering with the doctors.

“I always say that we are almost like a family for those who don’t have a family, we take on the jobs and offer that assistance for people who – for whatever reason – find themselves without their family.”

The Harbour Project will be among 10 groups and 14 individuals who have made the shortlist of nominees attending the prestigious awards ceremony being held at Steam on Thursday, March 16.

Here, the judges will announce this year’s winners, along with a number of highly commended entries.

Each of the shortlisted entires will receive a certificate, while those named The Pride of Swindon will receive a special pin badge featuring Isambard Kingdom Brunel, while their names will be added to a plaque at the Central Library.