Syrian refugee Maz's voluntary work in the Bromsgrove community during pandemic to 'give something back' - The Bromsgrove Standard

Syrian refugee Maz's voluntary work in the Bromsgrove community during pandemic to 'give something back'

Bromsgrove Editorial 17th Jun, 2020   0

A REFUGEE who moved to Bromsgrove said the hours and hours of voluntary work he has done helping people across the district during the Covid-19 pandemic was to ‘give something back’ to the town which made him feel so welcome.

Maz Salmou was a television reporter in Syria, and moved to Bromsgrove in September 2018 through Worcestershire County Council’s Syrian Resettlement Programme.

When the Coronavirus crisis hit, Maz joined the Bromsgrove Community Support Group started by Georgia Oakes.

The group has been collecting shopping, fetching prescriptions and providing a listening ear to the vulnerable and elderly.




Maz said: “This group was developed to provide essential help to vulnerable people and those in need in Bromsgrove.

“My self-declared mission is collecting prescriptions and dropping them off to people by putting them on their porches and doorsteps.


“I really have a great desire to help people, you have to make your statement in difficult times and support others as best as you can.

“Coming to the UK gave me safety when I really needed it, so this is my way of paying it back.

“I dedicate myself to helping others because I have been helped so much moving here from Syria.”

Worcestershire County Councillor Lucy Hodgson, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Communities said: “It’s brilliant to hear stories such as this one.

“In times like these, it’s vital that communities come together to support one another.

“Maz and the other volunteers in Bromsgrove are doing simple tasks that make a massive difference to vulnerable people in the community.”

We reported a fortnight ago how Maz had created a video entitled ‘Bromsgrove looks beautiful during lockdown’ created from sights he had seen while was out volunteering across the district. Click below to see it –

Maz has documented his story on his own YouTube channel. Click here to watch more of his videos.

Click here for more on Worcestershire County Council’s Syrian resettlement programme.

 

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